Stanford Cardinal quarterback tight end Benjamin Yurosek (84) can’t find the handle on the football as the Cardinal fall hard to the visiting Utah Utes at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Fri Nov 5, 2021 (AP News photo)

Stanford Beaten Up By Utah 52-7

By Barbara Mason

Utah’s Tavian Thomas ran roughshod all over the Stanford defense scoring four touchdowns in the first half to lead his team to a 52-7 win. He finished the game with 177 yards.

Utah (6-3) jumped all over Stanford (3-6) in the first quarter taking an early 14-0 lead. Stanford was rendered helpless and after the first quarter had -13 in rushing yards. Passing attempts by Stanford had resulted in incompletions and sacks. The Cardinal would get a badly needed break generating a Utah turnover late in the quarter. Stanford would send in quarterback Jack West late in the quarter still looking for some offense. Isaiah Sanders and West shared quarterbacking since Tanner McKee was ruled out due to injury for this game.

Utah’s Tavion Thomas scored his third touchdown in this game early in the second quarter giving Utah a 21-0 lead. Stanford stadium went silent when Utah scored their fourth touchdown of the game leading 28-0. It was Thomas’ fourth touchdown finishing the half with 153 rushing yards.

TJ Pledger would score for Utah in the final minutes of the half and the Utes led in a runaway 35-0. With 34 seconds left in the game Stanford was called for roughing the passer and Utah went to work on the Stanford 19 yard line. Utah settled for a field goal extending their lead 38-0.

The first half could not have been more lopsided in favor of Utah. This is not the way that the Cardinal wanted to come out in this game especially playing at home. With 23 receiving yards and 5 passing yards it was an absolute nightmare for Stanford. Utah had 434 total yards to Stanford’s 28 yards in the first half.

Stanford quarterback Isaiah Sanders would score in the third quarter for the lone Cardinal touchdown of the game. The score after three was 38-7

In the fourth quarter, Utah had a first and goal but Stanford held them on four downs. This was one of the few highlights for the Cardinal in this game. That highlight was followed by a devastating lowlight when Stanfords Sanders threw a pick six giving the Utes a 45-7 lead.

Utah was sailing though this game. Late in the final quarter the Utes would strike again scoring their sixth rushing touchdown of the game. The final was 52-7. The way that Utah is playing they have a great shot at the NCAA crown. Stanford will play Oregon State next Saturday November 13th. Status of quarterback Tanner McKee is unknown for this game. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 PM.