Stanford wide receiver Michael Wilson (4) makes a catch to score a touchdown against Colgate defensive back Asauni Allen (7) and defensive back Jackson Price during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Sep 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calf. — Stanford (1-0) opened their 2022 season with a bang, by handling visiting Colgate 41-10 on the Farm. Junior running back, E.J. Smith got the party started off immediately (:15) with an 87-yard TD run on the initial play of the Cardinal’s opening drive.

The Cardinal was able to hold on to that early lead for the next 14+ minutes, with the help of Colgate’s place kicker, Spencer Biscoe, as he missed two (33-yd & 45-yd) first quarter field goals, approximately five minutes apart.

As what happened in the initial quarter, a touchdown was scored within the first minute. Stanford sophomore, Casey Filkins muffed a punt, in which Colgate’s sophomore cornerback, Asuani Allen, recovered in the endzone, tying the score at seven, after the obligatory PAT.

The Cardinal ended the half by scoring three consecutive touchdowns in that quarter’s next 14+ minutes. This included another rushing touchdown (1-yd) for Smith, and Junior quarterback, Tanner McKee and Senior wide receiver, Michael Wilson, connected on two touchdown combinations (26-yd & 13-yd).

At the midway point, EJ Smith was over 100 yards rushing and Tanner McKee surpassed 200 yards passing yards. Stanford led 28-7.

The third was pretty uneventful, except for the Raiders’ Biscoe, as he finally connected on a a 25-yard field goal on his third try. Now Colgate was only down by 18.

With the big guns for Stanford on the bench, the Cardinal still managed to get 13 more points on the scoreboard. Casey Filkins made up for his earlier mistake by rushing for a one-yard touchdown, and sophomore quarterback, Ari Patu connected with freshman wide receiver, Mudia Rueben for a seven-yard touchdown, although the extra point was missed by sophomore place kicker, Emmet Kenney.

After 60 minutes of play, Stanford had a 31-point victory over the guest Raiders from New York, 41-10.

Despite the impressive victory, Coach David Shaw wasn’t pleased about the turnovers:

“Yeah, the hard part is both. We emphasize so many things. We talked about taking care of the football. We did not do that tonight.”

E.J, Smith tallied 118 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Tanner McKee threw for 308 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Both players only played three quarters.

The Cardinal will next be in action, Saturday, September 10, 2022, as they host the USC Trojans