SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Riley Leonard delivered a standout performance on Saturday night, leading No. 10 Notre Dame to a dominant 52-3 triumph over Florida State. Leonard not only rushed for two touchdowns but also threw for 215 yards and added another touchdown pass, further expanding the troubles for the struggling Seminoles.
Notre Dame (8-1) showcased an impressive offensive display, racking up a total of 453 yards. The Irish defense was relentless, registering eight sacks along with two additional tackles for loss.
This latest victory marks the largest score differential in the teams’ historically close rivalry, leveling their series record at 6-6 overall.
Leonard’s first touchdown came when he made an electrifying 34-yard dash to the left, diving into the end zone to conclude Notre Dame’s opening drive. He later added a second rushing touchdown on a 6-yard run in the third quarter, further solidifying the Fighting Irish’s control over the game.
Jadarian Price contributed significantly, sprinting 65 yards for Notre Dame’s second touchdown. The tight end Mitchell Evans also caught a 12-yard pass from Leonard, pushing the lead to 21-3 at halftime.
In the fourth quarter, Jeremiyah Love added a touchdown from one yard out, and backup quarterback Steve Angeli capped the scoring with a 7-yard touchdown throw to Deion Colzie. Notably, a decisive 79-yard interception return for a touchdown by Luke Talich with just over a minute remaining highlighted the team’s defensive superiority.
Florida State (1-9) made a brief attempt at a comeback with a 75-yard drive in 16 plays that ended with a 23-yard field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald, but after that, the Seminoles struggled to find traction, accumulating just 37 yards across their subsequent seven possessions.
The Irish’s defense proved too much for Florida State quarterbacks Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek, as they suffered a total of eight sacks amounting to minus 81 yards. Glenn managed only 5-of-18 passing for 51 yards, alongside two interceptions, while Kromenhoek completed 5 of 8 for 37 yards.
In terms of injuries, Notre Dame defensive tackle Howard Cross III exited the game in the second quarter due to an apparent ankle injury and did not return. He leads the team with four sacks this season.
Looking ahead, the Fighting Irish face upcoming games against Virginia, Army, and Southern California, knowing they need to finish strong and possibly receive some assistance to secure a favorable position for the College Football Playoff. Conversely, Florida State’s season now seems destined for a disappointing finish, as they can manage a maximum of three wins, matching their total from the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the last time they had a similar record.
With Georgia and Miami suffering losses, Notre Dame is likely to see a rise in the rankings. The Fighting Irish will host Virginia next Saturday, while Florida State enjoys a bye week before welcoming Charleston Southern on November 23.