Stanford Cardinal Triumphs Over San Jose State in Home Opener

The Stanford Cardinal football team secured a decisive victory against the San Jose State Spartans, winning by a score of 31-17 at Stanford Stadium on September 27, 2024. This match marked the first meeting between the two schools, and Stanford capitalized on its home advantage to showcase a strong performance.

Cole Tabb emerged as a standout player, celebrating a pivotal touchdown in the first half, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive strategy. Stanford’s offense has shown improvement this season, averaging 391 yards and 26.7 points per game at home, a stark contrast to its struggles on the road where it averages just 280.3 yards and 13.3 points.

While the Cardinal’s victory against San Jose State was notable, challenges loom ahead. The team has yet to secure a win against a ranked opponent this season, having previously lost to No. 11 BYU and No. 16 Virginia with scores of 27-3 and 48-20, respectively. Quarterback Ben Gulbranson is listed as probable for upcoming games after sustaining a knee injury last week. In contrast, Micah Ford has been ruled out for the season.

Looking forward, Stanford will face the No. 9 ranked Miami Hurricanes, who are coming off their first loss of the season. Miami fell 24-21 to Louisville, with quarterback Carson Beck throwing four interceptions. The Hurricanes, led by freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney, who recorded nine receptions for 135 yards, will be a formidable opponent. Miami’s defense, bolstered by projected Top 10 draft pick Rueben Bane, ranks 13th nationally in points allowed and 15th in yards allowed.

The Cardinal’s upcoming matchup against Miami on October 25 will be crucial. Stanford enters this game as a significant underdog, with a spread of 30.5 points, the largest since their upset win over USC in 2007. Despite these challenges, the team’s current win total has already matched that of the previous four seasons, indicating progress.

Recruiting news also remains a topic of interest, as Stanford continues to attract attention with senior breakouts and commitments from junior college players. The program is looking to build on its recent successes and strengthen its roster for future seasons.

As the Cardinal prepares for its next challenges, fans are eager to see if the team can carry the momentum from this victory into their upcoming games. The performance against San Jose State has set a positive tone, but the true test will come against ranked opponents, where Stanford has historically struggled on the road.