Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard: 5 Best Games at Duke

Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard spent his first three seasons at Duke. Rich Cirminiello shares Leonard's 5 best games as a Blue Devil.

Apr 20, 2024; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard watches during the second half of the Blue-Gold game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports / Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame football is pinning a lot of its 2024 hopes on the play of Duke import Riley Leonard. The senior quarterback was hitting his stride in 2022, but was streaky last season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. Leonard is at full strength and ready to pick up where he left off two years ago. What's his ceiling? We evaluate his five best games as a Blue Devil to get a better idea:

5. Temple (Sept. 2, 2022)

In just his second career start, Leonard was in midseason form. He opened the season with 15 straight completions and finished 24-of-30 for 328 yards, two TDs and no picks. Leonard also rushed for 64 yards in a 30-0 Duke win.

4. North Carolina (Oct. 15, 2022)

Duke dropped a heartbreaker to Drake Maye and rival Carolina, but vintage Leonard was on display in Durham. Leonard tallied 375 yards and two scores, including a 74-yard burst through the Tar Heel D that set a school record for a Duke QB.

Riley Leonard with the 74 yard touchdown run! pic.twitter.com/eS3XFcsE52

— Blue Devils (@BlueDevils) October 16, 2022

3. Virginia Tech (Nov. 12, 2022)

Leonard was really hitting his stride at this point of his sophomore season. The Blue Devils easily handled the Hokies, 24-7, as the young QB threw for 262 yards and two scores and added another 48 yards and a touchdown with his legs.

2. Northwestern (Sept. 16, 2023)

Easily Leonard's best overall performance of 2023. He was in full control as Duke rolled a solid Northwestern team, 38-14. He racked up 97 yards and two TDs on the ground, while completing 15-of-20 for 219 yards. Leonard's overall PFF grade of 90.4 was a personal single-game high.

1. Wake Forest (Nov. 26, 2022)

If you have concerns about Leonard as a passer, check out this game with Wake. Leonard outdueled former ND QB Sam Hartman, tossing the game-winning TD late in the fourth quarter. He finished the thriller with career-highs in total yards (406), passing yards (391) and TD passes (4).

Riley Leonard hits Sahmir Hagans for the late go-ahead TD, then Darius Joiner gets the clutch interception to Secure The Win over Wake Forest! @cpisecurity@DukeFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/3QYXhPQkyS

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) November 27, 2022

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