Stanford surprises Syracuse at The Dome

On Friday, the Stanford football team defeated Syracuse away at “The Dome” with a final score of 26-24. Stanford’s senior kicker Emmet Kenney scored the game-winning field goal from 39 yards, scored 4 of 4 field goals and 2 of 2 extra points on the day with a field goal from 51 yards. Stanford Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver Elic Ayomanor had seven receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Senior Safety Mitch Leigber had an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

As for the quarterbacks, Stanford Junior Ashton Daniels went 23-38 for 178 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while Syracuse Senior Kyle McCord went 27-42 for 339 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Stanford improves to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the ACC, while Syracuse drops to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the ACC.

VIDEO: Post-game press conference for the Stanford Football League | Syracuse

RESULT: Stanford at Syracuse – Friday, September 20

Stanford was the first and last team to score in the game. After both teams exchanged punts, Stanford scored a touchdown on its second drive of the game, returning the ball with 11:29 left in the first quarter after a fair catch by Tiger Bachmeier. It was a nine-play, 78-yard drive that ended with Ashton Daniels finding Elic Ayomanor for a 17-yard touchdown pass to the right of the end zone, which Ayomanor caught with one hand. The longest play of the drive was a 19-yard pass from tight end Sam Roush. Stanford led 7-0 with 7:22 left in the first quarter.

Stanford's defense forced another punt, giving the Cardinals the ball back at their own 29-yard line with 4:42 left in the 1st quarter after a personal foul was called against Syracuse on the return. Stanford also benefited from a roughing the passer foul on the drive, gaining them another 15 yards. Unfortunately for Stanford, they were called for a hold against the offensive line on 2nd and 9 at the Syracuse 22-yard line, losing them 10 yards at the end of the 1st quarter.

The opening play of the 2nd quarter would be Ashton Daniels connecting with Wide Receiver Ismael Cissé for a 12-yard gain, but in the end Stanford had to settle for a field goal. A 38-yard field goal that Kenney converted with no problems. It was now a 10-0 lead for Stanford with 14:03 left in the 2nd quarter.

Stanford then forced a punt from Syracuse, but was unable to capitalize on the next drive as Daniels threw an interception and Devin Grantgiving Syracuse great field position with the ball at Stanford's 23-yard line with 11:03 left in the 2nd quarter.

Stanford’s defense limited Syracuse to a field goal, Brady Denaburg converted a 30-yard throw and put the Orange on the scoreboard. With 9:26 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, Stanford led 10-3.

After both teams exchanged punts, Stanford had 1st and 10 from its own 20-yard line with 2:35 minutes left before halftime. Stanford's freshman running back Chris Davis Jr. had a huge 47-yard gain on the first play of the drive to put the ball in Syracuse territory. Unfortunately for Stanford, they were assessed a 10-yard penalty for holding against the offensive line, forcing them to bring Kenney up the field for a 51-yard field goal attempt, which he made. Stanford now led 13-3.

On the next drive, Syracuse responded quickly when Kyle McCord found a wide receiver Umari Hatcher for a 67-yard touchdown pass. Stanford Cornerback Zahran Manley stumbled and Hatcher took advantage. The score was now 13-10 as the Orange were back in the game with 28 seconds left in the half. With so little time left, Stanford was unable to answer before halftime, leaving Stanford with a 13-10 halftime lead.

Stanford's defense forced a punt on the first drive of the second half, giving them the ball back at their own 17-yard line with 12:52 left in the 3rd quarter. That drive did not go well for Stanford, as Daniels threw an interception, Clarence Lewis which was caught at the Syracuse 25-yard line and returned for zero yards. Fortunately for Daniels, the Cardinal defense managed an interception on the next drive when McCord was intercepted by Stanford safety Mitch Leigber, who carried the ball home for a 71-yard touchdown. Stanford now led 20-10 with 4:16 left in the 3rd quarter.

Stanford's defense then collapsed on the next drive, as Syracuse completed a nine-play, 75-yard drive into the end zone, where McCord redeemed himself with a 19-yard touchdown run to end the drive. Stanford led 20-17 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Stanford’s first drive in the 4th quarter ended with a punt, Aidan Flintoff punted the ball 47 yards to the Syracuse 32-yard line, giving Syracuse the ball at their own 32-yard line with 14:03 minutes left. Luckily for Stanford, they got the ball right back, as the first play of the next drive resulted in an interception by the safety. Jay Greenwhich gave the Cardinal the ball at Syracuse's 47-yard line.

Stanford's next drive after this interception was a little sluggish, so the Cardinals had to settle for a 35-yard field goal, which Kenney of course converted. With 9:19 minutes left, Stanford now led 23-17.

Both teams then exchanged punts, allowing Syracuse to get the ball back at its own 40-yard line with 6:40 left. Syracuse took a long time to reach the end zone on a seven-play, 60-yard drive while McCord found wide receivers. MichaelJackson for a 13-yard touchdown to give Syracuse a 24-23 lead with 3:13 minutes left.

Stanford got the ball at their own 25-yard line to start the next drive, hoping to find a way to at least get into field goal range. On 3rd and 2 from the Stanford 33-yard line, the freshman running back Michael Ford had a huge 10-yard gain to move the chains. Later in the drive on 2nd-and-20 from the Stanford 44-yard line after a holding penalty, Daniels was able to connect with Ayomanor for an 11-yard completion to set up 3rd-and-9. Daniels then threw an incomplete pass intended for Ismael Cisse, setting up 4th-and-9 from the Syracuse 45-yard line.

With the game on the line and just 37 seconds remaining, Stanford converted its fourth attempt when Daniels found Ayomanor for a 27-yard completion to move the chains and comfortably get into field goal range. Daniels then ran the ball forward a few yards to bring it up the middle for the field goal attempt. Stanford called a timeout with three seconds left. After a false start penalty, Stanford was five yards behind on the first field goal attempt, Emmet Kenney had to attempt a 39-yard field goal to win the game instead of a 34-yard field goal. The extra five yards were meaningless as Kenney converted the game-winning kick and Stanford won 26-24.

This is a huge win for Stanford. This was their first ACC game in program history and to come all the way to Syracuse, New York and win at “The Dome” says a lot about the culture and program that head coach Troy Taylor Stanford could have given up and called it quits, but instead they gave it their all and found a way to win.

All three phases of the game were effective: the offense stepped up in the decisive phase, the defense kept them in the game, and the special teams closed the deal and delivered an excellent performance all night. Every member of the team can be proud of this victory.

If I could highlight one phase of the game, it would be the defense. A few years ago, they were full of holes like Swiss cheese. They couldn't get stops or force turnovers. Against Syracuse, they did both and got a pick six to boot. They really turned things around.

Next up for Stanford is a road game at No. 21 Clemson on Saturday, Sept. 28. The game begins at 4 p.m. PT on ESPN.

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