Once again, playing from behind and decimated by injuries ND fell to Stanford in a game that more or less played out as expected. Stanford’s massive OL was just too much for the depleted ND defense. Stanford was just the better team and you just can’t beat them if they can rush for 261 yards to ND’s 64.

Tyler Gaffney was virtually unstoppable – he had about 190 yards himself.

ND started out again having to kick FG’s rather than TD’s. So that just about sums up the entire game. This was a tough loss and Tommy Rees finished his career with 199 yds and 2 TD passes giving him 2nd place All Time with 61 TD passes. Once again, game was placed on his shoulders and he played heroically completing 16 of 34 passes. Like all heroes he had flaws – 2 picks that hurt but ND would have had 0 points without him. Oh – Kevin Hogan QB Stanford also had 2 picks. So Tommy, hats’ off to you kid – truly a great career.

As for Notre Dame’s Bowl aspirations – who knows – but I know one thing for certain, you don’t want to play in NY in December or January. That would be punishment not a reward and 15 extra practices, simply not worth it. Hell, the whole team is battered and playing on frozen ground in NY would be the last thing any sane person would inflict on this team. If that’s the only option – thanks but no thanks.