Notre Dame-Stanford: Jimmy Clausen's Career Day Helps Irish Clip Cardinal

Jimmy Clausen threw for a career-high 347 yards and three touchdowns and the Irish defense was very opportunistic, intercepting Stanford three times, as the Irish held on for a 28-21 victory over the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday and improved to 4-1. The Irish took a 28-7 lead into the fourth quarter and closed out the game by forcing Stanford into a turnover on downs with 2:24 left. Stanford got the ball again with eight seconds left but fumbled on their own 10-yard line to end the game. Clausen, who has had back-to-back career games in terms of passing yards (275 and 347 yards respectively), looked to have total command of the offense this week as he completed 29 of 40 passes. His three touchdown passes were from 21, 48, and 16 yards out. Michael Floyd led the Irish receivers with five catches for 115 yards. Floyd and Clausen connected on a 48-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter to give the Irish a 21-7 halftime lead. The Irish put the finishing touches on with a 16-yard ... (link)