By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, October 31, 2015

google images photo Stanford punter Conrad Ukropina

Thanks to a missed field goal attempt as time expired, No. 8 Stanford escaped with a 30-28 Pac-12 football win over Washington State in a game played in the rain at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash.

The win puts Stanford in the driver’s seat in its run for a slot in the Pac-12 championship game.

Conrad Ukropina’s 19-yard field goal put the Cardinal (7-1 overall, 6-0 Pac-12 North) ahead by two points with 1:54 remaining in the fourth quarter. The field goal was set up by freshman defensive back Quenton Meeks’ second interception of the game.

WSU then drove to the Stanford 27-yard line as time was expiring, and Erik Powell attempted his sixth field goal of the game. But Powell’s 43-yard attempt hooked right of the upright, and the Cardinal maintained their perfect conference record.

The Cougars (5-3 overall, 3-2 Pac-12 North) outgained Stanford 442 total yards to 312. WSU quarterback Luke Falk completed 35 of 61 passes for 354 yards and two touchdowns, but was also intercepted twice.

Kevin Hogan completed 10 of 19 passes for 86 yards and was picked off once. Hogan was the Cardinal’s top ballcarrier, gaining 112 yards on 14 carries and two touchdown runs of 59 and 6 yards.

Christian McCaffrey was Hogan’s top target, snaring four passes for 26 yards. McCaffrey also gained 107 rushing yards.

Next: Stanford visits Colorado next Saturday for a 10 a.m. battle with the Buffaloes. The Cardinal finish their season with three straight home games.