The Notre Dame Fighting Irish came out on Saturday as a team on a mission, playing with intensity before a raucous home crowd against Syracuse.
By the time the first quarter was done, Notre Dame, ranked No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings, was already firmly in front and wasn’t looking back.
What Did Notre Dame Do In the First Quarter?
Thanks to some stellar play from Notre Dame’s defense and all-world running back Jeremiyah Love, the Fighting Irish stormed out to a 35-0 lead. That’s right — the Fighting Irish scored 35 first-quarter points.
Notre Dame has 42 points already…. pic.twitter.com/9N8UKPxw6p
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) November 22, 2025
According to PFSN Chief Analytics Officer Cam Mellor, Notre Dame, with Saturday’s offensive outburst, joined Georgia — which also did it back in 2021 — as the only teams to score 35 points in the first quarter against a Power Five/Four team since 2019.
On the second play of the game, Notre Dame’s Jalen Stroman intercepted a Syracuse pass and returned it 44 yards for the Fighting Irish’s first touchdown. Then, Luke Talich returned a blocked punt 22 yards for a 14-0 Notre Dame lead.
Leonard Moore then intercepted a Syracuse pass and returned it 46 yards for another Notre Dame defensive touchdown. By that time, it was 21-0 Fighting Irish, and the rout was on. Notre Dame scored its first offensive touchdown on a Love 45-yard run around the right side, making it 28-0.
Running back Jadarian Price then went 58 yards for another Notre Dame touchdown, pushing the lead to 35-0. It was a remarkable first quarter for the Fighting Irish, who are trying to climb in the College Football Playoff rankings next Tuesday.
Midway through the third quarter, it was 62-0 Notre Dame over Syracuse, effectively sealing the outcome. Notre Dame, barring a collapse, will move to 9-2 on the season. Love, meanwhile, was a highlight machine for the Irish. By the third quarter, he had 171 rushing yards and three touchdowns on eight carries.
Notre Dame was so far ahead that starting quarterback CJ Carr was pulled in the third quarter for backup Kenny Minchey. Syracuse looked completely overwhelmed by the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame pushed its total to 70 points in the fourth quarter, establishing a modern program record by eclipsing the 69 scored against Georgia Tech in 1977. The output marked the team’s highest scoring performance since a 71-0 win over DePauw in 1905.
The 70 points scored by @NDFootball today against Syracuse sets the program’s modern record, breaking the 69-point record against Georgia Tech in 1977.
The 70 points are the most since the Irish defeated DePauw 71-0 in 1905.
— Notre Dame Football PR Team (@NDFootballPR) November 22, 2025
Entering Saturday’s game in South Bend, Ind., according to the PFSN CFB Offense Impact metrics, Notre Dame had a PFSN CFB Offense Impact Score of 87.7 and graded out at a B+. Those numbers could rise significantly after the Irish’s dominant win.
