Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (2) makes the touchdown catch and Stanford Cardinal cornerback Zahran Manley (4) can only sit in the end zone and watch at Stanford Stadium on Sat Oct 28, 2023 (AP News photo)
By Michael Roberson
STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (2-6, 1-5 Pac-12) could not slow down the #5 Washington Huskies (8-0, 5-0 Pac-12) aggressive trek South to California and up and down the Stanford Stadium field, 42-33.
Stanford opened the game on offense, but their initial drive did not lead to points. Actually neither team did much for nearly nine minutes.
However, with a little more than six minutes left in the quarter, the visiting canines from the Great Northwest got on the scoreboard first. Senior tight end Jack Westover scored on an unorthodox one yard rushing touchdown. Washington went up 7-0, and held that advantage to the end of the15-minute block.
Quarter number two was a very active stanza. The Cardinal scored within the first three minutes with a QB Keeper and scramble for a four yard touchdown by Ashton Daniels. Stanford ties the game, 7-7.
Washington’s senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. showed why he is a frontrunner for the 2023 Heisman Trophy award by tossing two touchdown passes within four minutes of each other. The agile lefthander hit junior wide receiver Rome Odunze for a seven yard score, then launched a 92-yard bomb to sophomore WR Ja’Lynn Polk. That quickly, the Huskies were up, 21-7.
The ever so reliable kicker for the Cardinal, Joshua Karty, converted two kicks with one minute left in the half. The first 23 yards from the goalpost, and the second from 47. At intermission, Washington 21, Stanford 13.
The second half had a similar start as the first half. This time Washington’s first drive was ineffective, resulting in 0 points for their efforts. They still had the temporary cushion of an eight-point lead,
Five minutes into the third quarter, Stanford sophomore QB threw a 39-yard TD pass to Elic Ayomanor. The Cardinal failed to convert the two point try, which would have tied the game at 21. Instead they trailed 21-19 at that point.
Penix was at it again, as he casted a ten yard score to Polk for a second time. Now the Huskies increased their lead to nine, 28-19.
Daniels had an answer for his QB counterpart, as he reached paydirt on a two yard keeper. The Cardinal got it back to a two point deficit, but were more than likely still lamenting and trailing due to the failed two point conversion. At the end of third quarter, Washington 28, Stanford 26.
Within the first minute of the last quarter, Penix propelled a 24-yard touchdown to senior tight end Devin Culp. Now with a nine point advantage again, it seemed like the visitors from the Evergreen State were about to secure another win and remain perfect on the season. However, the Cardinal had something under their bark.
As Penix was driving his fellow sled dogs down the field for an apparent touchdown, his fifth, a completed pass turned into a disaster. Rome Odunze was stripped of the ball by Cardinal sophomore Tavarua Tafiti, and Stanford recovered the fumble.
The home team took advantage of that gift and transformed it to seven points for them. A pivotal juncture in the game where a possible 14-point turnaround occurred in Stanford’s favor. Even with this newfound fortune, the Cardinal still trailed by two, 35-33.
Stanford tried an onside kick to absolve the missing two points, but Washington recovered the ball with still plenty of time left on the clock. The Cardinal had to rely on the sturdy (Tree) defense again on this very crucial possession with six minutes left in regulation.
Michael Penix Jr. had the ball on the 50-yard line with all his All-American attributes, and it was looking dim for the Cardinal faithful. As the probable prestigious trophy winner was attempting to score his fifth touchdown on the day again, he was picked off in the end zone by fifth year senior cornerback Zahran Manley.
With fifth minutes left and the ball, the Cardinal had to be in great spirits, with an absolutely advantageous opportunity to win the Pacific – 12 Battle. Unfortunately that event did not come to fruition. The Cardinal attempted to traverse down the field and had an excellent first down chance, but only had a dropped pass incompletion (3:20) to show for it.
The Huskies were eager to finally slam the barn door on the Farm on this drive. With a little over a minute and a half left in the fourth, Washington did indeed slam the proverbial door. Junior running back Dillon Johnson scurried for 13 yards and past the goal line for the last touchdown of the contest. Washington was up by nine once again, 42-33.
Stanford did get the ball back, but turned it over on downs. All that was left was for the Huskies to take collective “Knee,” maybe two Knees, since they have four legs. At the final whistle, and 60 minutes of action, the still undefeated Washington Huskies win 42-33 over the Stanford Cardinal.
Stanford coincidentally next travels to the Northwest in Pullman, WA to take on the Washington State Cougars, Saturday, November 4 at 6PM PDT. Washington stays in California, but heads South to Los Angeles, as they battle the Trojans of USC on the same date at 4:30 pm PDT (ABC).
NOTE: Ashton Daniels had another Outstanding game: 31-50 367 passing yards & a TD. He also rushed for 85 yards and scored two rushing TDs.
Elic Ayomanor also continues to play well. He had nine catches for 146 yards and a touchdown.
Heisman Watch: Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. added to his already impressive resume, by this stat line: 21-38 369 yards passing, four TDs & an interception.
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