The mission to take home the upset did not go as planned. Heading into South Bend for a battle with No. 11 Notre Dame (5-1), the Stanford Cardinal (2-4, 1-2 ACC

Stanford’s secondary looked pedestrian once again, especially with injuries to fifth-year cornerback Zahran Manley and junior safety Jaivion Green. Notre Dame targeted the Cardinal’s young secondary players in coverage, and the result was that Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard had his best passing game of the season.

The occasionally embattled Fighting Irish quarterback had his best game in a Notre Dame jersey against Stanford with 229 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown, 31 rushing yards, and 0 interceptions. He was 16-for-22 passing. Leonard is looking more and more comfortable with the offense.