Notre dame 38, STANFORD 17 | monday, OCTOBER 1, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com
At long last Ian Book leads offense as Notre Dame topples Stanford for the first time since 2014
ANN CURTIS | The Observer
Irish senior running back Dexter Williams beats his defender into the end zone during Notre Dame’s 38-17 victory over No. 7 Stanford on Saturday night. After missing the first four weeks of the season, Williams rushed for 161 yards on 21 carries and scored one touchdown in the victory. The win was the Notre Dame’s second over a ranked opponent this season.
Notre Dame proves it is playoff contender Tobias Hoonhout Managing Editor
Notre Dame is moving on. It’s moving on from Stanford, a team the Irish (5-0) hadn’t beaten in four years, and hadn’t beaten by more than a touchdown since 2006. It’s moving on from a 3-7 record under Brian Kelly against ranked teams in primetime before the start of the year — the Irish are 2-0 this season. And it’s moving on from Brandon Wimbush. Against David Shaw and the Cardinal (4-1, 2-0 Pac12), junior Ian Book got his chance to stamp his name to the title of starting quarterback. Last week against Wake Forest, he began to make his case. Saturday, playing in Notre see HOONHOUT PAGE 3
By CHARLIE ORTEGAGUIFARRO Sports Writer
No. 8 Notre Dame broke its three-game losing streak to No. 7 Stanford on Saturday night in dominant fashion as the Irish beat the Cardinal 38-17. Coming in hot off a miracle come-from-behind win at Oregon, Stanford (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12) was hoping to repeat some of the magic in South Bend, but was unable to get much going in the second half against a solid Irish defense. Offensively, junior quarterback Ian Book and Notre Dame’s offense, which combined for 550 yards, nearly twice as much as Stanford’s 229 yards, were just too much for the Cardinal to handle. The Irish defense looked to set the tone early, holding Stanford to a three-andout on the first possession. Stanford would respond on the ensuing Irish drive however, forcing a turnover on downs after the Irish (50) were unable to convert on a fourth-and-inches play
at the Stanford 47-yard line. Despite the strong field position however, the Cardinal were unable to cash in and were held by the Irish defense to another three-and-out. Irish junior defensive lineman Khalid Kareem hobbled off the field, but would later return. Following the game’s first three drives, both teams got into a back-and-forth fight as Stanford kept answering all of Notre Dame’s scores. It all started with Notre Dame’s second drive of the game, as Book found senior wide receiver Miles Boykin for a 19-yard pass to set the tempo. Two plays later, senior running back Dexter Williams sprinted a 45-yard rush on his first carry of the season. Williams’ run — his first appearance of the season — capped off a sevenplay, 85-yard drive by the Irish. Book had a lot of praise for the running back, who ran for a game-high 161 yards. “Dexter’s such an explosive guy who brings a lot of emotion to the game,
and he loves football. I just knew coming back, this couldn’t be a better week for him to come back,” Book said. “And I’m just excited for him. That first touch was just great to see him go score.” Stanford’s junior quarterback K.J. Costello would get to work on the next drive, getting three first downs from pass plays. An 11yard pass put the Cardinal at Notre Dame’s 39-yard line. The next play, senior running back Bryce Love showed off his athleticism with a 39-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game at 7, the first touchdown allowed by Notre Dame in the first quarter all season. The Irish would start their next drive at their own 18. Following a nine-yard rush by Book and a six-yard run by Williams, the Irish took a shot at the endzone. Book found a leaping Chase Claypool, and the sophomore receiver initially hung on to the ball but lost control as he fell to the ground. see SHUTDOWN PAGE 2
Irish flip Stanford second-half script in win By JOE EVERETT Sports Editor
The date was Nov. 25, 2017. The scene was Notre Dame versus Stanford in Palo Alto, California. The time was 1:23 left in the third quarter. Notre Dame’s Justin Yoon had just kicked a field goal to put the Irish ahead 20-17, and the Irish went back on defense — one quarter away from a 10-win regular season and a New Years Six bowl. All they had to do was finish. The Irish couldn’t. Instead, they fell apart. Stanford marched down the field for a touchdown. Brandon Wimbush had a pass intercepted. Stanford scored another touchdown. C.J. Sanders lost a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Stanford scored another touchdown. With 10:10 left in the fourth quarter, the Cardinal had scored 21 straight points to seal the deal. Notre Dame flipped the script Saturday night. With 13:51 left in the fourth see FINISHING PAGE 3