Ashton Daniels threw two touchdown passes and Tiger Bachmeier scored on a 90-yard punt return as Stanford overcame a slow start to roll past Cal Poly, 41-7, Saturday in Stanford, Calif.
In the first-ever meeting of the schools, Stanford (1-1) fumbled on its first possession. But the Cardinal pulled away in the second half to snap their 10-game home losing streak.
Daniels was efficient throughout as he completed 19 of 23 passes for 221 yards and no interceptions.
Meanwhile, the Cardinal defense stonewalled the rushing game of Cal Poly (0-2). The FCS Mustangs gained just 25 yards on 20 carries.
Cal Poly quarterback Bo Kelly completed 17 of 25 passes for 149 yards and an interception.
The Mustangs, who were gunning for their first win over an FBS school since toppling Wyoming in 2012, played Stanford even up in the first 28 minutes before the Cardinal took the lead for good with a textbook hurry-up drive.
In the final 1:32 of the first half, Daniels completed six straight passes for 70 yards before giving way to Justin Lamson, who scored on a 2-yard quarterback keeper to put the Cardinal in front 14-7.
Stanford then dominated the second half. Bachmeier struck first with his 90-yard burst, which tied the second-longest punt return in program history.
After a 32-yard field goal, the first of two by Emmet Kenney, Collin Wright picked off a Kelly pass to set up another Stanford score.
It came as Daniels zipped a 5-yard touchdown pass over the middle to tight end Sam Roush, which swelled the lead to 31-7.
With the victory secured in the fourth quarter, freshman Elijah Brown made his college debut, completing all seven of his passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Ismael Cisse, who made the touchdown grab, was the game’s top receiver with eight catches for 79 yards.
Cal Poly’s lone score came early in the second quarter when wideout Michael Briscoe threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jake Woods.
It was Stanford’s first home win since October of 2022 when it topped Arizona State. The last Cardinal loss to an FCS school came last year when they fell to Sacramento State.
–Field Level Media