NOTRE DAME -- It didn't have to be as close as it was, but Notre Dame will take the 28-21 victory over Stanford all the same. With it comes their fourth victory, already more than last year.

Fueling the fire were the negative Notre Dame comments made by Stanford's Chris Marinelli.

"It got us fired up. It's like someone saying they're coming into your house and getting in your face. It's a rivalry now," said Pat Kuntz.

"We weren't backing down to anyone, we were there to fight," added Brian Smith.

"We're not gonna lay down to anybody," said Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh.

Things escalated at the finish.

"It isn't like everyone's going to step up and shake hands. I know one thing, I was not going in there.I've already taken my hits for the team, OK," said Charlie Weis.

The hits continue on offense. Jimmy Clausen threw for a career-best 347 yards, 3 scores, and no interceptions.

Armando Allen, and freshman sensations Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph were the beneficiaries.

"Yeah, you know, I feel good. This team feels good. The offensive line did a great job once again today. The playmakers outside did a great job making plays. It makes my job a lot easier," said Clausen.

Pat Kuntz also stuck out on defense with two sacks and an interception, but it wasn't his best game ever.

"I had seven sacks in the third grade," boasted Kuntz.

However, it wasn't the greatest effort for kicker Brandon Walker. He makes even one of his two field goal attempts and there's no nail-biting in the fourth quarter.

But aside from that, it's a young team getting older and better right before our eyes.

"We're 4-0 at home and 0-1 on the road. You hit a crossroads now. I think now the next major hurdle we have to jump is winning on the road. So that will be definitely the point of emphasis going into this week," Weis said.

With Carolina and win number five on their minds.