Riley Leonard // 2024 Football Award Nominees

Riley Leonard is ranks second among all active FBS quarterbacks in career rushing touchdowns with 33, including three in the first half alone at Purdue.

He owns 14 rushing touchdowns in 2024, becoming the third Notre Dame quarterback to rush for double-digit touchdowns in a season (Brandon Wimbush, 14 in 2017, DeShone Kizer, 10 in 2015). He is tied for the single-season record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in Notre Dame history.

Leonard’s 14 rushing touchdowns this season rank 20th in the nation and fifth among all quarterbacks. He ranks 24th in the nation in total touchdowns. On the season, he averages 5.81 yards per carry, ranking 33rd among all FBS players.

Leonard owns 60.1 rushing yards per game this season, ranking third among all Power 4 quarterbacks and ranking 12th among all FBS quarterbacks.

2024 Team Captain
Davey O’Brien Great 8 List – Week Nine
Manning Award Star of the Week (Oct. 14)
October Watch List – 2024 Comeback Player of the Year Award
2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Top 25
Davey O’Brien Great 8 List – Week Five
Senior Bowl Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 30)
2024 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award Watch List
Davey O’Brien Great 8 List – Week Three
Watchlist for 2025 Senior Bowl
2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
2023 Team captain (Duke)
2023 Preseason All-ACC — Phil Steele’s College Football Preview (3rd team)
2023 Preseason All-ACC — Athlon Sports (4th team)
2022 Honorable Mention All-ACC selection
2022 Academic All-ACC and CSC Academic All-District honoree
2022 Recipient of the Duke Football Carmen Falcone Team Most Valuable Player and Offensive MVP Awards
2022 Military Bowl MVP

IN 2024:

USC:

Leonard captained the Irish to their 10th-straight win, closing the regular season at 11-1, with a 49-35 victory at USC. Leonard commanded an Irish offense that averaged 7.1 yards per play (436 total yards). He passed for 155 yards and two touchdowns, also rushing for 50 yards and another touchdown on the ground.
Leonard completed passes to eight different Irish players, with six players catching multiple passes from Leonard.
With Leonard’s rushing score, he tieD the Notre Dame record for rushing touchdowns in a single season with 14. Leonard owns 33-career rushing touchdowns, which ranks second among all active FBS quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns.
Leonard was responsible for a third down conversion and a fourth down conversion on the ground. The Irish rank fourth in the nation in fourth down conversion rate (0.760).

ARMY:

Leonard led Notre Dame to its ninth-straight win, and fourth win this season over a ranked opponent, with a 49-14 victory over No. 18 Army. Leonard commanded the offense to dominance, completing 10 of 13 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns, also rushing for 30 yards on eight carries.
Leonard and the Irish offense racked up 462 total yards against a defense that ranked fifth in the nation in total defense entering the game (Army allowed 273.9 yards per game entering Saturday). Notre Dame blew it out of the water, never punting the ball and posting 273 rushing yards on an Army defense that entered the game ranked third in FBS in rushing defense (82.6).
Leonard masterfully spread the ball around for chunk gains, completing passes of 10+ yards to seven different receivers on the night.

VIRGINIA:

Leonard led the Irish to their eighth-straight win in a 35-14 victory over Virginia. Leonard completed 22 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns, tacking on 32 rushing yards. His three passing touchdowns match his season-high.
The offense totaled 448 yards of total offense and dominated the time of possession battle, controlling the ball for 34:36 minutes of play. Leonard led the Irish offense to a monster second quarter, taking advantage of Virginia turnovers to take a commanding lead.
Leonard’s first touchdown pass of the day came in the second quarter, going to wide receiver Jayden Harrison to go up 14-0. Later in the second quarter, the Irish snagged an interception, and Leonard passed to tight end Cooper Flanagan on the immediately-following play for another touchdown. Still in that quarter, Notre Dame intercepted another Virginia pass, and Leonard led the Irish on another touchdown drive to take a 28-0 lead into the half.
Leonard completed passes to 11 different receivers, the second time this season he has done so.

FLORIDA STATE:

Leonard led the Irish to their seventh-straight victory, a resounding 52-3 win over Florida State, in which Leonard completed 14 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown, in addition to rushing for 70 yards and two touchdowns.
Leonard opened up Notre Dame’s scoring for the day with a 34-yard touchdown run, on which he faked two defenders at separate points in the run to dive into the end zone. He later led a two-minute, 77-yard drive at the end of the first half, delivering a perfect pass to tight end Mitchell Evans in the corner of the end zone for his passing score to end the first half with Irish momentum up 21-3. He added another score on the ground with a six-yard rush in the third quarter.
He was responsible for four third-down conversions (all passing) and two fourth-down conversions on the day, notching the fourth down conversions on a rush and a pass. Notre Dame is sixth in the nation in fourth-down conversion percentage (0.765).
In total, Notre Dame’s offense racked up 453 total yards and was 5-5 in the red zone. With 201 rushing yards on the day as a team, Notre Dame ranks 12th in the nation in rushing offense (214.8).
Notre Dame’s 52-3 victory marks the largest margin of victory by any FBS team this weekend, let alone a victory over a Power 4 team. It was the largest margin of defeat Florida State has suffered this season. Notre Dame’s 52 points were the most scored on a Power 4 opponent this weekend, and tied for the most in all FBS matchups (Tulane 52-6 over Temple). The Irish rank 12th in the nation in scoring offense (38.3).
The Irish did not turn the ball over in the matchup with Florida State, marking the second-consecutive week in which the Irish did not turn the ball over. Notre Dame is third in the nation in turnover margin (1.33).

NAVY:

Leonard again led the Irish to a statement 51-14 win over No. 24 Navy, passing for 178 yards and two touchdowns, also rushing for 83 yards and an additional touchdown, doing it all in just three quarters. It marked the seventh-consecutive game in which Leonard has rushed for a touchdown.
There were five matchups across college football that weekend in which both teams were ranked. Notre Dame owned the largest margin of victory in those games, with a 37-point difference. With his 178 yards in the air and 83 on the ground, Leonard was the only quarterback in those five games that rushed for more than 70 yards while also passing for 100 or more yards.

GEORGIA TECH:

Leonard captained the Irish to a 31-13 win at Georgia Tech as the Irish scored 31-straight points. Leonard went 20-of-29 for 203 yards, rushing 10 times for 51 yards and two touchdowns.
The Irish put together an impressive stretch to take control of the second and third quarters, putting the game away. Beginning in the second quarter, Leonard completed 12-consecutive passes, which stretched through three-consecutive touchdown drives to take a 21-7 lead after a 0-7 deficit.

STANFORD:

Leonard led the Irish to a 49-7 win over Stanford with the Irish scoring 49 unanswered points in the matchup. Leonard went 16-for-22 for 229 yards (53-yard long) and three touchdowns, as well as 31 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, in just three quarters of play.
Leonard was the only Power 4 quarterback that weekend who, in regulation time, passed for at least 225 yards and three touchdowns, threw no interceptions, and added a rushing touchdown; Leonard did it all in just three quarters. One other Power 4 quarterback achieved the feat in overtime (Luke Altmyer, Illinois).

LOUISVILLE:

Leonard led Notre Dame to a 31-24 win over No. 15 Louisville. Leonard was responsible for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) on the day, completing 17 passes for 163 yards and rushing for 52 yards.
Leonard started the Louisville game in command, directing a 12-play, 75-yard drive over 6:08 minutes of game time, for a touchdown to even the score. From there, the Irish took off, scoring 21 total points in the first quarter alone, including a 34-yard pass from Leonard to score.

MIAMI (OH):

Leonard led the Irish to a resounding 28-3 win over Miami (OH), completing 16 Leonard led Notre Dame to a 31-24 win over No. 15 Louisville. Leonard was responsible for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) on the day, completing 17 passes for 163 yards and rushing for 52 yards.
In the Miami Game, Leonard passed for 154 yards and a touchdown (38-yard long score), in addition to 143 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, including a 50-yard long scoring run. With two rushing touchdowns, Leonard marked his second multi-rushing touchdown game of the season.
He is the first Irish quarterback with back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since Carlyle Holiday vs. Pittsburgh (122 yards, 10-6-2001) and West Virginia (130 yards, 10-13-2001).
Notre Dame racked up 428 yards of total offense against the RedHawks, as Leonard completed passes to nine different Irish receivers, including a 38-yard long to Beaux Collins for a touchdown.

PURDUE:

Leonard led Notre Dame to the most dominant win by an opposing team in Purdue history, besting the Boilermakers 66-7. Leonard put on a show, rushing for 100 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to passing for 112 yards, in the first half alone. He is the first FBS player to reach those milestones since Lamar Jackson at Syracuse on Sept. 9, 2016.
With three rushing touchdowns in just the first half at Purdue, Leonard is one of just eight quarterbacks so far this season to achieve that feat in a single game, and the only one to do so that weekend. He is the one of two FBS quarterbacks this season to achieve the feat in a single half.
Only three FBS quarterbacks totaled more rushing yards than Leonard that weekend, and just one scored a singular rushing touchdown. Leonard was the only one of those four quarterbacks that did not see a snap in the second half.
Notre Dame was the only FBS squad with three separate rushers at 86 or more rushing yards against a Power 4 defense that weekend, and one of just two FBS teams overall to achieve the feat that weekend.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS:

Started as the quarterback for the Irish… completed 20 passes for 163 yards… rushed for 16 yards and a touchdown

TEXAS A&M:

Leonard made his Irish debut as he led No. 7 Notre Dame to a 23-13 victory at No. 20 Texas A&M, making a mark in both the pass and run game. He completed passes to nine different Irish players; Leonard went 18-30 for 158 yards, and rushed 12 times for 63 yards.
The Irish totaled 356 yards of total offense, averaging 5.6 yards per play. Notre Dame’s 356 yards of offense were the third-most this weekend among teams that faced a top-20 opponent. Notre Dame was 1-1 in the red zone, and won the time of possession battle with 31:35 minutes with the ball.
Leonard led the eventual game-winning drive that began with 6:23 left on the clock in the fourth quarter. On that drive, Leonard rushed for 20 yards and passed for 29 yards, setting up a 21-yard Jeremiyah Love touchdown run.
Leonard’s 63 rushing yards are the fifth-most for a quarterback in his first start at Notre Dame, and they are the second-most for a quarterback on the road in his first start at Notre Dame. His 63 rushing yards were the second-most that weekend by any quarterback facing a team ranked in the Top 20 in the AP poll.
The senior was responsible for 11 of Notre Dame’s 18 first downs on the evening at Texas A&M, with eight passing and three rushing, including two third down conversions and a fourth-down conversion on an eight-yard rush.

IN 2023 (DUKE):

Started all seven games in which he played for the Blue Devils, going 95-for-165 and 1,102 yards (57.5 percent completion rate) and three touchdowns
Rushed 58 times for 352 yards (44-yard long) and four touchdowns
Completed 17 passes for 175 yards and a touchown, also rushing for 98 yards and a 44-yard long (both rushing season highs) on eight rushes and a touchdown, in the season-opening 28-7 win vs. Clemson (9/4)
Had a perfect 100 percent completion rate in the 42-7 win over Lafayette, completing all 12 passing attempts and totaling 136 passing yards, and a touchdown, adding four rushes for 13 yards (9/9)
Went 15-20 for 219 yards, rushing 13 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns (season-high for rushing touchdowns), in the 38-14 vs. Northwestern (9/16)
Completed 23 passes for 248 yards (season high) and a touchdown in the 41-7 win at UConn; also posted four rushes for 30 yards and a touchdown (9/23)
Completed 12 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown vs. Notre Dame; also rushed 18 times for 88 yards (9/30)
Passed for 69 yards on 7 completions, rushing once for 13 yards at Florida State (10/21)
Completed nine passes for 121 yards and had 10 rushes for 13 yards, at Louisville (10/28)
Attended the Manning Passing Academy as a counselor in June 2023

IN 2022 (DUKE):

Started all 13 games; completed 250-of-392 (.638) passes for 2,967 yards with 20 TDs and six INTs while leading the team in rushing with 699 yards on 124 carries (5.64) and 13 TDs; Posted pass efficiency rating of 141.11, 3,666 total offensive yards
Scored 78 points and carded point responsibility total of 198
One of three FBS QBs to amass 2,900+ passing yards and 695+ rushing yards, joining LSU’s Jayden Daniels and North Carolina’s Drake Maye
Joined Oregon’s Bo Nix as the only two FBS QBs nationally to register 20+ passing and 13+ rushing TDs, a first in Blue Devil history
Completed 20+ passes in six games including a season-high 29 completions against Wake Forest
Posted completion percentage of .600 or better in nine contests including a season-best .917 mark (11-of-12) against North Carolina A&T
Threw for 200+ yards in seven weeks
Compiled three 300+ yard passing games, including a season-best 391 yards and four TDs against Wake Forest
Threw for 2+ TDs in five contests against Temple, North Carolina A&T, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, and Wake Forest
Had eight completions of 40+ yards including a season-long 81-yard pass to WR Eli Pancol against Northwestern that marked the seventh longest pass in program history
Teamed up with WR Jordan Moore for a 49-yard TD reception versus Pittsburgh for Duke’s longest passing score of the season
Opened the year with 15 consecutive completions against Temple to place tied for third in school history for a single game with Ben Bennett and Thaddeus Lewis
Logged four rushing attempts of 20+ yards including a season-long and team-long 74-yard TD effort against North Carolina; the 74-yard TD jaunt marked the longest by a Duke QB
In the ACC, ranked third in total offensive yards per game (282.00), third in pass attempts, third in pass completions, third in total points responsible for, tied for third in scoring, fourth in pass completion percentage, fourth in passing yards per game (228.23), fifth in TD passes, and fifth in passing efficiency
Nationally, ranked 21st in total points responsible for, 22nd in rushing TDs, 27th in total points responsible for per game, 28th in total offensive yards per game, 30th in total TDs, 40th in passing yards, 44th in completion percentage, 46th in passing TDs, 47th in pass completions per game, and 47th in passing efficiency
Set school single-season records for TDs responsible for (33), most games with 1+ TD pass (12), TD-to-INT ratio (3.33-1), and pass completion-to-INT ratio (41.67-1)
On Duke’s single-season charts, yearly totals ranked tied for first in most wins by a starting QB (9), tied for first in most TD passes of 20+ yards (11), tied for first in most games with 100+ passing yards (13), second in most total offensive yards, second in highest passing efficiency rating (141.11), second in rushing TDs by a QB, tied for second in most consecutive games with 1+ TD passes (12), fourth in rushing yards by QB, tied for fourth in most TD passes, sixth in highest pass completion percentage (.638), seventh in passing yards, and tied for eighth in most games with 300+ passing yards
Additionally, ranked tied for fourth in most TD passes for a single-game (4, Wake Forest) and tied for 10th in highest pass completion percentage for a game (.800, Temple)
Joined Thomas Sirk (2015) as the only two Duke QBs in program lore to rush for 600+ and throw for 2,500+ yards in a single-season

IN 2021 (DUKE)

Saw action in seven games, with one start against Virginia Tech
Finished 37-of-62 (.597) passing with one TD and one INT … added 47 rushes for 173 yards (3.68) and two TDs
Completed 13-of-13 (1.000) pass attempts for a career-high 99 yards versus Louisville in 2021
Hit on 10 passes in the third quarter to tie for fifth on the freshmen charts for most pass completions in a quarter
Tallied a season-long 39-yard pass completion to WR Jalon Calhoun against Wake Forest
Connected with RB Mataeo Durant for a five-yard TD reception against Pittsburgh
Accumulated a year-best 70 rushing yards against Louisville, including a season-long 35-yard scamper for a TD
Added a rushing TD against Wake Forest
On the field for 164 snaps.

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