STANFORD, Calif. -- Stanford closed out its 2021 campaign Saturday evening at Stanford Stadium, falling to No. 6 Notre Dame 45-14, in the annual meeting for the Legends Trophy.
Jack Coan threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score as Notre Dame kept its playoff hopes alive. The Fighting Irish (11-1, No. 6 CFP) won their final seven games following a home loss to Cincinnati but will likely need some help next week to get into the College Football Playoff for the third time in the past four seasons.
Stanford (3-9) was bidding for its third top-15 win of the season, having already defeated No. 14 USC and No. 3 Oregon. However, the Cardinal lost its seventh straight game to end the season.
Notre Dame built a 24-0 halftime lead following Kyren Williams' 1-yard touchdown rush with 4:47 in the second quarter.
Jonathan McGill intercepted Coan's pass on the first drive of the second half to set up a 13-yard drive, capped by Austin Jones' 5-yard run to make it 24-7.
The Irish moved ahead 38-7 before Tanner McKee connected with Benjamin Yurosek for a 49-yard passing touchdown with 11:44 remaining in the fourth quarter.
McKee completed 20-of-25 passes for 172 yards. Jones carried nine times for 37 yards while Michael Wilson caught six passes for 52 yards and Yurosek hauled in five receptions for 87 yards.