2013: No. 8 Stanford 27, No. 25 Notre Dame 20
Get down big early, come back and make things interesting and eventually lose late. If you’re yet to catch on to how things have gone the last decade for Notre Dame at Stanford, there is your not-so-subtle reminder.
The Irish couldn’t stop Jabar Gaffney in this one as Gaffney would end up going for 189 yards on 33 carries while finding the end zone once.
After allowing a touchdown to fall behind 21-6 in the third quarter, to their credit Tommy Rees and company led Notre Dame back to within four entering the final quarter.
However, two late interceptions by Rees ended Notre Dame’s comeback attempt as the campaign ended 8-4 and with an eventual trip to the Pinstripe Bowl, where they beat Rutgers.
Stanford’s season would end in the Rose Bowl a second straight season where they would fall to Michigan State, 24-20.
Next Up: 2015 – The College Football Playoff Appearance That Wasn’t