Stanford will finish the 2025 season Saturday with what seems to be its hardest check.
Contemporary off reclaiming the Axe in a dominant 31–10 win over Cal, the Cardinal (4-7) will host No. 9 Notre Dame at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. The Preventing Irish (9-2) have gained 9 video games in a row and virtually definitely has to beat Stanford to stay within the hunt for a spot within the School Soccer Playoff.
Stanford interim coach Frank Reich mentioned that the chance is precisely the type of check he envisioned when normal supervisor Andrew Luck satisfied him to come back for one season.
“When I put the tape on yesterday, I was like ‘Wow,’” Reich mentioned. “This is the real deal. This looks like the best team we’ve played all year. … It’s an opportunity to measure our program against someone like that.”
Stanford’s protection is coming off its most dominant exhibiting of the season, scoring two defensive touchdowns and holding Cal to only 10 factors. Linebacker Matt Rose, who recorded 14 tackles, a TFL, and a sack, mentioned the efficiency was the product of full cohesion.
California extensive receiver Jacob De Jesus (21) can’t maintain onto a go as he’s hit by Stanford security Jay Inexperienced (5) throughout the first quarter of the 128th Massive Sport, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in Stanford, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron for the Bay Space Information Group)
“I thought all 11 across the board were executing,” Rose mentioned. “Our coaches put a good game plan together, and our D-linemen did a great job being aggressive. The O-linemen really weren’t getting to me at all.”
Rose has been one of many breakout gamers of the yr, going from a rotational contributor to one of many ACC’s main tacklers.
“Being kind of a bench rotation player the past couple years, finally getting the chance,” Rose mentioned. “I’m just super grateful I was able to take advantage of it.”
He’s additionally totally conscious of the problem Notre Dame presents, notably with operating again Jeremiah Love, who’s third within the FBS in speeding yards (1,306) and speeding touchdowns (17) and can be trying to make one ultimate assertion with the Heisman Trophy voters.
“It’s physicality,” Rose mentioned. “That’s something we’re already talking about early in the week. If we bring that physicality, be gap-sound, and work together like last week, we’re excited to show what we can do.”
Stanford’s offense has been dramatically higher at house, and operating again Micah Ford has been central to that surge. Ford is coming off a 150-yard efficiency within the Massive Sport, and his physicality – together with the return of star proper guard Simione Pale — appeared to put on Cal down within the second half.
“I knew if we just kept at it — kept putting the same intensity out there — they’d eventually break,” Ford mentioned. “Things started to slow down, and I was seeing the field really well.”
Ford is aware of Notre Dame’s protection presents a a lot more durable check.
Stanford operating again Micah Ford (20) breaks an enormous gainer towards California throughout the third quarter of the 128th Massive Sport, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in Stanford, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron for the Bay Space Information Group)
“They’re 13th in the country against the run,” he mentioned. “We’ve just got to attack what they give us. Don’t try to do too much—trust the coaches, trust the players around you, and execute.”
In opposition to one of many nation’s most opportunistic defenses – Notre Dame scored two defensive touchdowns final week towards Syracuse earlier than its offense even took the sector — Reich emphasised staying forward of the chains.
“You don’t want to get in third and long against this team,” he mentioned. “We’ve got to be efficient on first and second down. Mix run and pass. Play smart football early and stay in it.”
The Cardinal carried totally different motivations into the season finale. For Ford, it’s the possibility to win the Legends Trophy that goes to the winner on this annual rivalry. For Rose, whose grandfather performed for Notre Dame, the sport holds particular that means for his household.
For Reich, this can be his ultimate sport as Stanford coach, although he wasn’t wanting forward but.
“The only plans I’m making,” Reich mentioned, “are how to make a first down against Notre Dame.”
