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Despite slow start, Stanford’s big win over Cal Poly is a good sign


Stanford's Mudia Reuben #0 scores on a 5-yard touchdown reception against Cal Poly in the 1st quarter, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Stanford, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

STANFORD -– It may have taken a little time, but Stanford finally got rolling in all three phases in Saturday’s 41-7 win over Cal Poly, giving it some much-needed momentum heading into its first-ever ACC conference game Sept. 20 at Syracuse.

The Cardinal’s passing game was highly efficient, as junior starter Ashton Daniels and highly touted freshman Elijah Brown completed 26 of 30 passes (86.7 percent) for 318 yards and three TDs, the best completion percentage for the Cardinal since 2015 against Arizona (21 of 23, 91.3 percent).

The defense was dominant outside of a trick play that resulted in Cal Poly’s only score. And the special teams contributed with a punt return TD, a blocked field goal and a successful fake punt.

The result was Stanford’s largest win since beating No. 23 Oregon 49-7 in 2017, and the end of a 10-game home losing streak.

“Excited for our guys,” coach Troy Taylor said. “Complete win here for us. Special teams I thought was phenomenal, offensively we finally got it going, and the defense I think was exceptional the entire game. Disruptive on first and second down. Great third-down defense. Our guys really controlled the game the entire evening.”

Here’s a deeper look at all three units, including areas that still need improvement, as Stanford heads into an early off week:

OFFENSE

Stanford shuffled its offensive line after Week 1’s 34-27 loss to TCU. Freshman Kahlil House made his first collegiate start at left tackle, while three-year starting center Levi Rogers began the game on the sidelines.

It didn’t work immediately. On the first drive, an assignment error led to pressure that caused a fumbled exchange between Daniels and freshman running back Micah Ford, which Cal Poly recovered at the Stanford 38. The second drive was stalled when Daniels got sacked.

Stanford’s Mudia Reuben #0 scores on a 5-yard touchdown reception against Cal Poly in the 1st quarter, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Stanford, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 

 

But the offense got moving after that, with six scoring drives in its last seven possessions – and the only exception ended at the Cal Poly 4.

Daniels showed off his two-way ability, completing 19 of 23 passes for 221 yards and running a game-high nine times for 31 yards.

It was also a stellar collegiate debut for Brown, who played the fourth quarter and completed all seven of his passes for 97 yards. He was 5-for-5 on his first drive, including a 51-yard pass to running back Sedrick Irvin and a 12-yard TD to Ismael Cisse.

“It’s what we’ve seen since he’s been here this spring (as an early enrollee)” Taylor said of Brown. “Exceptional anticipation, exceptional accuracy, composure. There is a reason why the guy was 44-2 (as a starter at Mater Dei). He’s a very composed, really talented player. He’s going to be a good one.”

But even against an FCS opponent, Stanford still couldn’t get its running game going through its running backs, as Irvin and Ford ran eight times for six yards. Daniels did his best to keep the …read more

Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment

      

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