Stanford did nothing on offense at the start of the game and nothing toward the end of the game. But the Cardinal put together four consecutive scoring drives in the middle of the game, and that was enough to break a two-game losing streak and defeat Arizona State 20-13 Thursday in Tempe, Ariz. in a Pac-12 Conference contest.
The Cardinal hosts Washington State on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m.
Stanford (5-2, 3-1) punted on its first four possessions of the game, but thanks to strong play by the team’s defense trailed only 3-0 at that point. And the defense helped turn momentum Stanford’s way when Bobby Okereke forced a fumble that was recovered by freshman defensive end Thomas Booker.
The Stanford offense picked up two first downs and were gifted two more as the result of penalties to set up a Jet Toner field goal that tied the score 3-3.
The Cardinal defense came through again when Sean Barton intercepted a pass thrown by ASU receiver N’Keal Harry on a trick play with 2:01 left in the first half.
Stanford took over on its own 11 and drove to the ASU 14 where Toner came on to boot a 31-yard field goal to make it 6-3 at halftime. On that drive Trevor Speights ran for a first down and caught a pass from K.J. Costello for another first down. Then Costello and Trenton Irwin connected on a long pass to set up the field goal.
After the Sun Devils tied it with another field goal, Costello connected with JJ Arcega-Whiteside on a 28-yard touchdown for the first non-field goal score of the game. It was Arcega-Whiteside’s ninth touchdown reception of the season.
Costello completed 22 of 29 passes for 231 yards. Arcega-Whiteside had seven receptions for 91 yards and Irwin seven catches for 79 yards.
On its next possession the Cardinal went 80 yards in seven plays with Cameron Scarlett crossing the goal line to make it 20-6 with 2:45 to go in the third quarter.
Bryce Love started the game but was ineffective, carrying 11 times for 21 yards. Scarlett had 54 yards on nine carries and Speights 34 yards on 19 carries.
It looked like Stanford had found an offensive flow and was firmly in control. But then Stanford’s offense went dormant with ultra-conservative play calling as if to leave it all up to the defense to hold on to the lead.
Paulson Adebo came up with an interception to blunt one Arizona State drive. But ASU quarterback Manny Wilkins scored on a 10-yard run to make the score 20-13 with 7:50 left.
Some Stanford offense at this point would have been timely, but went three and out. However, Jake Bailey thundered a 61-yard punt and the Cardinal maintained a field position advantage.
The Cardinal defense forced a punt and Stanford took over with 4:23 left. After a 10-yard penalty made it first and 20, the Cardinal picked up a first down as Costello hit Arcega-Whiteside with a 13-yard completion and then scrambled for an 8-yard gain and the first down, forcing ASU to use its three timeouts on defense.
The Sun Devils drove from their own 15 to the Stanford 19 before time ran out and the Cardinal jubilantly ran off the field having avoided the first three-game losing streak in David Shaw’s tenure as head coach.
By Glenn Reeves/Palo Alto Online Sports
By Glenn Reeves/Palo Alto Online Sports
By Glenn Reeves/Palo Alto Online Sports
Such a great news it is.