The Stanford Cardinal quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) throws against the Sacramento State Hornets at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (USA Today photo)

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (1-2, 0-1 Pac-12) opened up their home schedule with a thud, as they could not swat away the swarming Sacramento State Hornets (3-0) 30-23 on the Farm, as first-year coach Troy Taylor was downed by his former team.

Taylor congratulated the coaches, staff and players of his former place of employment.  He also surmised what happened in the game:  “They made more plays than we did, and they won the game.”  Taylor also addressed the scenario of facing his former squad and all the colleagues and friends still there.  “Once the game starts, you’re just competing.”  Uttered Taylor.

It took a large portion of the initial quarter before any scoring took place by either team.  Both defenses will get credit for the lack of offense; however, Sacramento State was not intending to be a sacrificial lamb for the power five school.

With about six and a half minutes left in the quarter, the home team got on the scoreboard first.  Senior running back Casey Filkins burst through the defense for a one-yard touchdown.  Stanford led 7-0 near the end of one.

The Hornets actually had an answer before the 15 minutes expired.  With :44 left before part one of the game concluded, junior kicker Zack Schreiner booted a 24-yard kick to put the Hornets within four, 7-3.

In the second stanza, there was a lot more action for the sparse crowd.  Cardinal sophomore quarterback Ashton Danaiels launched a 51-yard bomb to fellow sophomore wide receiver Elic Ayomanor for a touchdown, putting them up by 11, 14-3.

Stanford was looking to squash the state capital bugs, by attempting an immediate onside kick.  The result was a success, and the Cardinal regained possession of the ball.  This marked the first time in over 20 years (2001 – Oregon) the team was able to accomplish this feat.

As the Cardinal tried to capitalize on this fortuitous play, they gave the ball right back a few minutes later on a turnover.  Daniels had his pass attempt deflected and picked off in the endzone.  

The touchback put Sac State on their own 20, and they seemed to have garnered momentum.  In less than five minutes, the Hornets reached paydirt on a one-yard TD by sophomore running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver, bringing them within four again, 14-10, Cardinal.

As Sacramento State did in the first quarter-score with less than a minute left-they duplicated in the second.  Bennett scored on a two-yard QB keeper, putting the visitors ahead for the first time, 17-14, with :35 before recess.

The Cardinal were down by three at intermission, but had the luxury of receiving the ball in the beginning of the second half.

In the third quarter, the “Hot” foot of senior kicker Joshua Karty came into play.  He was working on a streak of 22 consecutive kicks without a miss.  At the 10:35 mark, he tied up the game at 17, on a 41-yard FG, extending his streak to 23.

Just under seven minutes to go in quarter number three, Hornets QB Bennett throws an interception on Stanford’s 1-yard line.  Unfortunately for the Cardinal, they gave it right back two minutes later.  Sophomore QB Justin Lamson, who came in for Daniels, threw an inopportune interception.  

Sac State drove the ball down, then settled for a 22–yard Schreiner FG, putting them back up by three, 20-17.  This time they scored with more than two minutes left in the quarter.  However, Stanford was not able to do anything with the clock moments.  After three, the Hornets were up 3, 20-17.

The fourth had a lot of excitement for the announced 23k+(?) souls in the stadium.

Karty was at it again, converting his 24th consecutive FG from 40, this time.  The Cardinal evened the score at 20, and appeared to be taking the momentum back from the Hornets.  Especially when Bennett tossed another INT, which was returned for an assumed pick-6.  The officials deemed the interception legit, but the return was not allowed.

Karty made sure they at least got something out of that big turnover, so he belted his 25th consecutive kick through the uprights midway through the final portion of the contest.  The Cardinal were on top again, and the Farm faithful hoped for the remainder of time.

The pesky guests from Sac-Town were not on the same page as the majority gathered in Metro Palo Alto.  Schreiner did his own footwork, and scored a 44-yarder, tying the game at 23.

The common theme of the Northern California battle, the Hornets scored the last points of every quarter.  This time in the most important one, Bennett, on the verge of being sacked, lofted a pass to senior running back Marcus Fulcher, which resulted in a 49-yard eventual GW TD.  After four quarters of action, the Sacramento State Hornets are the victors, 30-23 on the Farm.

Stanford will remain on the Farm and host Arizona, next Saturday September 23 at 4 pm PDT.  Sacramento State will travel to Idaho and face the Vandals next Saturday at 1 pm local time.

Note: Cardinal senior Kicker Joshua Karty is currently at 25 consecutive field goals without a miss,  He was 3-3 in this game.

The Hornets’ junior QB  had quite a game.  21-33, 279 yards passing, TD & 2 INT; 100 rushing yards and one TD.