South Bend, Ind. — Riley Leonard put on an impressive performance, rushing for two touchdowns, throwing for 215 yards, and adding another touchdown pass to lead No. 10 Notre Dame to a dominant 52-3 victory over Florida State on Saturday night.
Notre Dame (8-1) amassed 453 yards of total offense and showcased a relentless defense with eight sacks and two additional tackles for loss. This victory was Notre Dame’s largest in a rivalry typically marked by close finishes, and it brought the series record to a 6-6 tie.
Leonard opened the scoring with a 34-yard touchdown run, sprinting down the left side and diving into the end zone on Notre Dame’s first drive. He later added a 6-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, breaking through Florida State’s defense once again.
Running back Jadarian Price contributed with a 65-yard touchdown run, while tight end Mitchell Evans extended Notre Dame’s lead to 21-3 at halftime by catching a 12-yard touchdown pass from Leonard.
In the fourth quarter, Jeremiyah Love powered in a 1-yard touchdown, and backup quarterback Steve Angeli connected with Deion Colzie on a 7-yard touchdown pass to add to the score. A 79-yard interception return by Luke Talich with 1:23 remaining capped off the victory in emphatic fashion.
Florida State (1-9) managed to get on the scoreboard with a 23-yard field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald after a 75-yard drive in the first quarter. However, the Seminoles struggled afterward, gaining just 37 yards in their next seven drives.
Notre Dame’s defense was relentless against Florida State quarterbacks Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek, sacking them eight times for a loss of 81 yards. Glenn completed 5 of 18 passes for 51 yards and threw two interceptions, while Kromenhoek went 5 of 8 for 37 yards.
The Irish’s defensive tackle Howard Cross III left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury. Cross, who leads the team with four sacks this season, limped off the field and did not return.
Up Next:
Notre Dame plays Virginia on Saturday at home.
Florida State has a bye week before hosting Charleston Southern on Nov. 23.
