Can Stanford Cardinal's Defense and Special Teams Outmaneuver Syracuse Orange?
The Stanford Cardinal edged out a close victory against the Syracuse Orange with a final score of 26-24. This win brings the Cardinal's season record to 2-1, showcasing their resilience and ability to secure wins in tight situations. The game, held at the JMA Wireless Dome, was attended by 39,290 fans who witnessed a nail-biting encounter that went down to the wire.
Key Defensive Plays and Special Teams Contributions
The Cardinal's defense was pivotal in this victory, recording four sacks and two interceptions over the course of the game. David Bailey stood out with two sacks and a forced fumble, demonstrating his critical role in disrupting Syracuse's offense. Mitch Leigber made significant contributions as well, including an interception returned for 71 yards for a touchdown - a play that undoubtedly swung momentum in favor of Stanford.
On special teams, Emmet Kenney delivered flawlessly by converting all four field goal attempts with his longest being from 51 yards out. His performance contributed significantly to the team’s scoring efforts on a day when touchdowns were hard to come by.
Offensive Efforts
Offensively, Ashton Daniels completed 23 out of 38 passes for one touchdown but also threw two interceptions. Despite these turnovers, Daniels managed to distribute effectively among his receivers; Elic Ayomanor caught seven passes for 87 yards and scored one touchdown while Ismael Cisse added eight receptions for 49 yards.
The rushing attack was led by Chris Davis Jr., who ran for 79 yards on nine carries. Micah Ford also contributed with 47 rushing yards on eight attempts as part of an offense that accumulated a total of 173 rushing yards.
Looking Ahead
The Stanford Cardinal will next face off against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC) on September 28th at 7:00 PM EDT. Fans can catch this upcoming game broadcasted live on ESPN (satellite channel number:206), where they will see if Stanford can carry forward their winning momentum into another challenging matchup.