NOTRE DAME, Ind.-Ranked among the bottom feeders in virtually every offensive and defensive category, Stanford hung around throughout much of the first half before a razor sharp Brady Quinn and an uncharacteristically stingy Notre Dame defense overwhelmed the Cardinal, 31-10.
Playing without four starters (one on offense, three on defense), Notre Dame (5-1) led just 7-3 late in the first half before Quinn hooked up with Rhema McKnight for a 15-yard score. The Irish ran off 17 unanswered points to pull away from the hapless Cardinal (0-6).
"I'm content with this game," said Irish head coach Charlie Weis. "On offense, I thought it was a fairly meticulous day. When the defense gives up a long drive and then shuts them down the rest of the day, that's a good thing."
Quinn completed 27-of-37 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns-one each to wide receivers Jeff Samardzija and Rhema McKnight, and tight end John Carlson.
Darius Walker rushed for 153 yards on 25 carries, including a 32-yard touchdown burst early in the third quarter that gave the Irish a 21-3 lead. It marked the second straight solid performance by Walker and the offensive line after the ground game went dormant in back-to-back games against Michigan and Michigan State.
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