Stanford opens football season with 39-13 win over Cougars

Toby Gerhart did what he does best, making life a little bit easier for Andrew Luck, who was making his college debut.

Chris Owusu had a terrific game until he took a pretty hard hit that sidelined him for most of the second half.

Delano Howell proved to be a smash success in his first appearance as a cornerback, and Richard Sherman did just fine in his first game as a defensive back.

It all added up to a Stanford victory, a 39-13 decision over Washington State in the season and Pac-10 opener for both teams on Saturday in Pullman.

“When you go on the road for a conference game to start the season you don’t really know what you have until you’ve played your first game,” Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh said. “I think we have a pretty good football team.”

Gerhart started his assault on his own school record with 121 yards on 23 carries. He also scored twice.

Gerhart’s presence helped ease Luck’s pre-game apprehension. The redshirt freshman quickly fell into a rhythm, leading the Cardinal on a game-opening touchdown drive.

“I’ve waited a long time for this opportunity to play,” Luck said. “It was a little nerve wracking. But when I’m in the huddle with Toby and (senior lineman Chris Marinelli), it’s very calming.”

Luck set up Gerhart’s one-yard touchdown with a 31-yard scamper on a third-and-seven play that brought the ball to the Cougars’ 11-yard line.

“I had to get that first hit,” Luck said. “I needed to get roughed up again to make it feel like football again. That was the first time I’ve been hit since I was in high school. I have to remember how to get hit, acclimate myself to that.”

Luck completed 11 of his 23 pass attempts for 193 yards and a touchdown, a 63-yard connection with Owusu. He also rushed for 53 yards.

“That touchdown made me look pretty good,” Luck said. “It was a six-yard pass that Chris turned into a 63-yard score.”

Owusu also helped Stanford regain momentum, returning a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown moments after the Cougars scored to close within 22-10.

The Stanford defense also rose up early to stop a Washington State scoring drive just above a yard short of a touchdown. The Cougars missed the ensuing field goal try.

“This was a good start for Andrew,” Harbaugh said. “He was poised, made big plays and used his feet. He did a magnificent job.”

The Cardinal outgained Washington State by a 481-351 margin, including a 289-104 edge on the ground.

Howell led Stanford with nine tackles, while Sherman made five tackles and broke up a pass in addition to a 59-yard punt return that put the Cardinal in position for a score.

Clinton Snyder added eight tackles and a break up while Thomas Kaiser recorded 3 1-2 tackles for a loss, including one sack. Erik Lorig and Chase Thomas were also credited with a sack.

Stanford remains on the road, traveling to Wake Forest next Saturday for a 9 a.m. (PT) kickoff.