NOTRE DAME, Ind. - No. 7 Stanford suffered its first loss of the season, falling to No. 8 Notre Dame 38-17 on Saturday evening.
The Cardinal (4-1), which was beaten by the Irish (5-0) for the first time since 2014, was also seeking its third victory over a ranked opponent this season, having already defeated No. 17/12 USC and No. 20/19 Oregon.
Saturday's contest also marked the first time in the series that both teams were carrying a top-10 AP ranking.
Notre Dame and Stanford traded touchdowns before the Irish eventually seized control, scoring 39 seconds before halftime to take a 21-14 lead into the break.
Bryce Love's 39-yard scamper to the end zone opened the scoring for Stanford, knotting the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter. Love finished with 73 yards on 17 carries despite leaving due to injury early in the fourth quarter.
K.J. Costello completed 15 of 27 passes for 174 yards, including a 4-yard strike to JJ Arcega-Whiteside for Stanford's second score of the game. It was the eighth touchdown catch of the year and 22nd career for Arcega-Whiteside, who now ranks fourth in school history in that category.
Arcega-Whiteside and Trenton Irwin caught five passes apiece.
Jet Toner matched his career high with a 46-yard field goal at the 2:16 mark of the third quarter, keeping the Cardinal within striking distance at 24-17. Toner improved to 7-10 on field goals over 40 yards for his career.
The Cardinal returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 6, hosting Utah in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Stanford Stadium.