Freshman Jonaz Walton continues to emphatically make his case to be Notre Dame’s RB1. Saturday’s record-setting performance against Stanford strengthened that argument.
Walton ran for 181 yards on just 13 carries, breaking Josh Adams’ single-game freshman record of 168 set in 2015. He scored on runs of 97 and 40 yards in Notre Dame’s 58–7 win. Walton has the explosiveness to turn a routine carry into a game-changing play, and he showed it twice against Stanford. Those breakaway runs had been in short supply through Notre Dame’s first five games.
The Irish easily rolled to 6–0, and Walton was one of the biggest takeaways from Saturday. CJ Carr continued to produce, Jaden Greathouse got involved in the passing game, and the defense set the tone from the opening play. Lots of good stuff happening in South Bend.
WALTON HAS EARNED THE RB1 JOB
Walton has done enough to earn the lead role in Notre Dame’s backfield. His two long touchdown runs grabbed the attention, but Walton showed more than just big-play ability. He finished with 209 total yards on 15 touches, including two receptions, averaging 13.9 yards per touch. Notre Dame needs to keep finding ways to get him the ball.
Nolan James Jr. has earned more carries, too. He ran effectively against Stanford and scored twice, giving Notre Dame another back it can trust. But Walton’s explosiveness separates him from the rest of the group, and he should be the first back the Irish turn to.
Aneyas Williams, who chipped in with a 70-yard touchdown reception, remains a valuable part of the offense as a runner and receiver. Javian Osborne scoring his first career touchdown was another positive sign for the room. Notre Dame has depth at running back, but Walton has earned the lead role.
The timing matters, too. Notre Dame heads to Provo next week to face undefeated BYU. The Irish will need their running game to travel, and Walton gives them a back who can change a game with one carry.
CARR AND THE PASSING GAME KEEP PRODUCING
CJ Carr accounted for four touchdowns against Stanford, throwing scoring passes to Aneyas Williams, Elijah Burress and Jaden Greathouse while also scoring on a quarterback sneak. He added 41 rushing yards on five carries.
Carr didn’t need to take over with the running game rolling, and that is part of what makes this offense dangerous. Notre Dame can lean on its backs without asking Carr to force throws or do too much. When the passing game is needed, he has shown he can make plays.
Williams’ 70-yard touchdown reception showed how quickly the Irish can strike through the air. Greathouse getting involved also gave the passing game a welcome boost. If opponents commit extra players to stopping the running game, Carr can make them pay. If they back off to protect against the pass, Notre Dame can keep running the ball.
Carr continues to make the right plays, and Notre Dame can trust him to lead this offense. But BYU just held Iowa State to 200 total yards—its fewest since 2018—and recorded three sacks in a 24–10 win. The Cougars allowed only 49 yards in the first half. Carr’s patience and Notre Dame’s ability to stay balanced will matter against a defense capable of making an offense work for its yards.
THE DEFENSE SET THE TONE
Notre Dame’s defense made a loud statement on Stanford’s first play from scrimmage. Boubacar Traore strip-sacked quarterback Davis Warren, and Jaiden Ausberry recovered the fumble. Three plays later, the Irish were in the end zone.
Traore later intercepted a pass (and then looked like a wide receiver on the return), and Mark Zackery IV came away with one of his own. Drayk Bowen led the Irish with six tackles, while Luke Talich added five solo stops as Notre Dame kept Stanford from finding an offensive rhythm. ND is now plus 13 in turnovers, giving them the 3rd best mark in the nation.
The Irish held Stanford to 202 total yards and seven points. The defense created turnovers, pressured the quarterback and helped put the game out of reach early.
Three-and-outs, forced turnovers, few points allowed and little room to run. Through six games, the Irish defense is playing outstanding football.
NOW COMES BYU
Notre Dame overwhelmed Stanford, 58–7. Walton strengthened his case for the RB1 job, Carr continued to lead a productive offense, and the defense delivered another dominant performance.
But BYU is a different test. The Cougars are undefeated, ranked No. 8, and the game is in Provo. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier will give the Irish much more to deal with. With their top running back LJ Martin out fo the game, Bachmeir looks to have taken on an even bigger role. He threw for 329 yards and ran for another 109 last week against Iowa State. Notre Dame will have to prove it can perform at a high level on the road against a top-10 team. Slowing Bachmeir will be a key.
Walton has emerged as a difference-maker, and the offense has multiple ways to hurt opponents. Now the Irish need to show those strengths hold up against BYU.
The Irish have spent six games showing how dangerous they can be. A win in Provo would add a major line item to Notre Dame’s 2026 résumé—and strengthen its case as a serious threat to win the national championship.