Stanford Cardinal Sedrick Irvin (26) running back celebrates in front of teammates and the Stanford Stadium crowd in the win over the San Jose State Spartans on Sat Sep 27, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif.– The Stanford Cardinal (2-3) won their second game at Stanford Stadium during Interim HC Frank Reich’s era, with an exciting 30-29 victory over the San Jose State Spartans (1-3), inside Sanford Stadium.

The Cardinal was on a mission immediately to win their half of the home & home against their Santa Clara neighbor/opponent Spartans. Their first drive took 11 plays, earning 81 yards and a score. Things were looking positive at the midway point of the first quarter.

Stanford redshirt-freshman running back Cole Tabb scampered for an eight-yard touchdown, to put the home team up 7-0, on the game’s first possession. Most of the 26,000+ in the stadium was excited for the Cardinal, while a large proportion was for nearby SJSU.

The Spartans scored on their initial drive too. At just under five minute left in the quarter, San Jose State kicker Denis Lynch converter a 46-yard field goal. That score put the Spartans within four, 7-3.

After a Stanford fumble, SJSU parlayed that miscue into a touchdown , less than a minute left in the quarter, Redshirt-Senior quarterback Walker Eget toss a ten-yard pass to redshirt-sophomore Danny Scudero. San Jose State tool the lead 10-7, after 15 minutes of play.

Midway through the second stanza, Lynch made another FG (36), putting his team up by six, 13-7. Approximately four minute later, Stanford responded with a touchdown. They took the lead by one, 14-13.

Stanford redshirt-senior QB Ben Gulbranson threw a 15-yard TD to senior tight end Sam Roush. That lead did not last long, because the Spartans responded nearly two minutes later. They reached the end zone again. WR Kyri Shoels. SJSU attempted to extend their lead by three more points. but Lynch missed a 28-yard attempt. The Spartans lead by six at recess, 20-14.

In the second half, Stanford’s senior LB Matt Rose was ejected from the game (Targeting) and his team penalized 15 yards for the infraction. halfway through the third quarter. The Cardinal did not suffer on the scoreboard after that crucial ejection. Lynch missed his second field goal attempt; therefore, helping provide a scoreless third quadrant.

After 45 minutes of regulation, the score remained 20-14, Spartans. However, the fourth quarter turned out to be a barnburner.

Within the first minute of the final quarter, SJSU doubled their lead to 12, 26-14. Eget threw another touchdown pass five to Scudero. Unfortunately for the special teams, they botched the extra point. Otherwise, they would have been up by 13. Those missed opportunities did come back to haunt the visiting team.

A couple of minutes later, Stanford responded with a 14-yard TD pass. Gulbranson hit redshirt-sophomore WR Myles Libman, to bring the Cardinal within five, 26-21. Lynch avoided the hattrick of missed field goals, when he split the uprights from 31 yards away. They went up by eight, 29-21. Stanford found themselves one scoring opportunity from a tie with less than eight minute in the fourth quarter.

Stanford marched down the field with thoughts of tying the game at 29, with a two-point conversion. Two minutes into the drive, Stanford settled for a 36-yard FG by senior Emmett Kenney. Instead of a tie, Stanford was down by five, 29-24.

That gamble on the defense by Coach Reich worked out for the Cardinal. They received the ball again, and converted on a crucial 4th down conversion.

With :19 left in the game, junior running back Sedrick Irvin reached paydirt on a one-yard run. The Cardinal led 30-29, then attempted a two-point conversion to potentially go up by three. However, the two extra points play failed, then the Cardinal had to hold on to the slim lead.

“I thought the defense was playing extremely well in the second half. You know, they were gaining some yards, but we made the stops we needed to make. It was just fourth and too many yards. Talked to our analytics guys. Had a quick conversation with them about, go for it, kick the field goal, and felt like down by 8 that was the right move.” Stated Stanford Interim HC Frank Reich

San Jose State was unable to score a touchdown, nor get into field goal range, which delighted the Cardinal faithful. After 60 minutes, Stanford was victorious 30-29.

Both quarterbacks threw for over 400 yards passing, in an aerial show on the Farm. Ben Gulbranson – 444 passing yards and two TD passes. Walker Eget – 473 passing yards three touchdown passes.

The Cardinal will next be in action Saturday, October 11 in Dallas against SMU TBD, while the Spartans will host New Mexico Friday, October 3 at 7:00 PM PT on FS1