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| AP PHOTO Notre Dame quarterback Jarious Jackson dives into the end zone for one of his three rushing touchdowns against Stanford on Saturday. The 22nd-ranked Fighting Irish defeated the Cardinal, 35-17, improving their record to 3-1 this season.
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Jackson became the first Notre Dame quarterback to rush for three touchdowns since Heisman Trophy winner Paul Hornung did it in 1956 as the Irish beat Stanford, 35-17, on Saturday.
He also led the No. 22 Irish (3-1) to their only decent first half of the season, as he showed off tools he's been displaying in practice all year.
"We saw it in training camp. We see it just about every day out there," Davie said. "I think you're starting to see his passing game and the strength of his arm.
"Now that he's getting a little more confidence and his feet on the ground, I think you can see that he can throw the football extremely well."
Stanford coach Tyronne Willingham said he knew Jackson could throw the ball well. He just didn't think the rookie quarterback would be so accurate, connecting on 11-of-15 attempts with one interception for 168 yards.
Jackson was also 6-of-8 in the first half after completing just 39.5 percent of his first-half passes in Notre Dame's first three games.
"But he also brings the running game and now the option to the offense, which makes Notre Dame even harder to defend," Willingham said. "They were able to mix it up and never allowed us to turn them into a one-dimensional team. Any time you can add another dimension to your offense, it changes all preparation for the game."
Jackson and the Irish kept Stanford (1-4) off-balance the entire first half on Saturday, scoring on their first three drives.
That included Jackson's 22-yard touchdown run in the first quarter that gave Notre Dame its first, first-half lead of the season.
After averaging just 5.6 yards rushing in the first half in the first three games, Jackson picked up 75 yards on 11 carries.
He then hit the 100-yard mark in the second half, including scoring runs of seven and five yards, as the Irish rolled to 309 yards rushing.
"I like the way we used the option and combined the power game with the option and quarterback runs," Davie said. "We have a pretty good package, especially when you add the great throws that Jarious Jackson made.
"We are becoming a balanced offense. It isn't easy to defend an offense with so many different weapons."
Jackson showed a poise that he's sometimes lacked this season, after the Irish took over at their own one yard line early in the third quarter.
After plunging up the middle for two yards to give Notre Dame some running room, he calmly guided the Irish downfield on a 99-yard drive over 15 plays, capped off with his 5-yard touchdown run to put Notre Dame up 35-3.
Jackson probably won't be showing off his arm much in practice this week.
Davie said Sunday his quarterback had stiffness in his throwing shoulder after the game and what doctors described as a bruise on his right clavicle.
Davie said he'll probably rest Jackson early in the week but doesn't expect to hold him back after that.
"We're going to let it rip but be smart," Davie said. "Just be smart with what we do, but certainly give our team the best chance to win, and him carrying the ball gives us the best chance to win."
10-07-98
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