By Staff
PALO ALTO, Calif. – Robert Hughes' 6-yard run with 1:55 remaining Saturday night lifted the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to a 21-14 victory over host Stanford.
The win gave Notre Dame consecutive victories to end the season for the first time since 1992.
The Fighting Irish end the season 3-9. Stanford falls to 3-8 with one game remaining on its schedule, the annual game with arch rival California on Saturday.
Notre Dame grabbed an early 7-0 lead when quarterback Jimmy Clausen capped off a drive with a 2-yard run.
The Cardinal tied the game in the opening quarter on a 1-yard Anthony Kimble run and then took a 14-7 lead on an 11-yard Kimble run in the second quarter.
The Fighting Irish were able to tie the score before halftime on a 1-yard Travis Thomas run.
The game remained tied until the closing minutes when Hughes scored.
Stanford finished with 14 more yards in total offense than Notre Dame did (327-313) and had two fewer turnovers (4-2), but were unable to capitalize on three Irish turnovers and a Clausen interception.
On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame was able to capitalize on Stanford's first turnover, an interception, which led to Clausen's touchdown.
Hughes finished with 136 yards rushing on 18 carries, while Clausen was 19-of-32 for 196 yards.
Duval Kamara had six catches for 93 yards to lead the Fighting Irish.
Kimble finished with 80 yards rushing on 20 carries before having to leave with an injury. Stanford quarterbacks were 15-of-33 for 152 yards.
Notre Dame 7 7 0 7 – 21
Stanford 7 7 0 0 – 14
ND – Clausen, Jimmy 2 run (Walker, Brandon kick)
STAN – Kimble, Anthony 1 run (Belch, Derek kick)
STAN – Kimble, Anthony 11 run (Belch kick)
ND – Thomas, Travis 1 run (Walker kick)
ND – Hughes, Robert 6 run (Walker kick)