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Irish defeat Cardinal

Notre Dame's Darius Walker eludes Will Powers' tackle try. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Notre Dame's Darius Walker eludes Will Powers' tackle try. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Brady Quinn threw for three touchdowns and Darius Walker ran for a season-high 153 yards and a touchdown, leading No. 12 Notre Dame to a 31-10 victory over Stanford on Saturday.

Quinn was 27 of 37 passing for 232 yards, completing TD passes to Jeff Samardzija, Rhema McKnight and John Carlson. It was the second straight 100-yard game for Walker and his second-best rushing game. Walker, who also had six catches for 45 yards, rushed for 186 yards on 35 carries against Stanford last season.

The Irish, who won their first eight games in 2002, are off to their second-best start since also starting the 1998 season 5-1. Stanford (0-6) is off to its worst start since losing its first six games in 1983 en route to a 1-10 season.

The Irish defense, which entered the game ranked 92nd in the nation, held Stanford to a field goal through three quarters before finally getting beat on a 57-yard halfback pass from Anthony Kimble to Kelton Lynn 33 seconds into the fourth quarter – the longest play of the season for the Cardinal.

But the Irish defense played solidly, holding the Cardinal to 72 yards rushing and 226 yards total offense – the fewest yards allowed by the Irish this season.