DALLAS, TX -- The Stanford Cardinal visited SMU for a conference clash and gave viewers a little bit of everything.
This game had big plays all around, kick returns, roughing the kicker penalties, illegal touching penalties and even a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown.
After Stanford jumped out to a 14-3 behind big passing plays the blocked field goal changed momentum.
Trailing 14-10, SMU was in need of a big play after a roughing the kicker penalty extended a Cardinal drive. Jahfari Harvery delivered that play by breaking into the back field and blocking Stanford's field goal attempt. SMU DB Duece Harmon would collect the block with one hand and race to the end zone to give SMU a 17-14 lead instead of falling further behind.
SMU looked to have all momentum when WR Jake Bailey hauled in his second pass of the day to give SMU a 24-14 lead. An unimpressed Stanford special teams unit would return the following kick off giving Stanford momentum heading into break trailing just 24-21.
The back and forth action continued in the second half as Stanford would take a 28-27 lead but a QB dive on 4th and goal from the one would give SMU the lead back in the third quarter. SMU QB Preston Stone connecting with TE RJ Maryland put the Mustangs ahead by seven at 35-28.
After the Cardinal edged closer to make the score 35-31, SMU would put together a methodical drive and get down to the one where they would be held out of the end zone with under a minute left. K Collin Rogers' third field goal of the game put SMU ahead 38-31.
Stanford threatened and got into scoring range with just seconds left but the SMU defense would come up with their third interception of the game to ice the back and forth battle.
In a challenging Week 8 matchup, Stanford fell short against SMU in a game that highlighted both dynamic plays and areas for improvement. After a dominant win over Notre Dame in Week 7, Stanford was unable to carry that momentum through to this contest, which resulted in a competitive but ultimately disappointing outcome for the Cardinal.
Quarterback Ashton Daniels' Passing Performance
Stanford’s Ashton Daniels displayed his arm strength, completing 20 of 31 attempts for an impressive 360 yards and one touchdown. Despite the strong yardage, Daniels' three interceptions were pivotal, disrupting Stanford’s rhythm and limiting scoring opportunities. Daniels’ connection with Sedrick Irvin and Ismael Cisse provided explosive gains, as Irvin totaled 121 receiving yards on just two catches, and Cisse recorded a touchdown along with 91 yards on five catches.
Running Game Struggles
Stanford’s ground game faced stiff resistance from SMU’s defense. Micah Ford and Sedrick Irvin tried to establish the run, combining for 85 yards and a touchdown, but the team averaged only 2.7 yards per carry. Daniels also managed a rushing touchdown despite some setbacks in yardage, demonstrating his ability to make plays when necessary.
Receiving Corps Delivers Mixed Results
The Cardinal’s receiving corps saw standout performances, particularly from Sedrick Irvin and Sam Roush, who each contributed pivotal gains. Roush was steady with 81 yards on seven receptions, while Cisse’s score added much-needed points. However, some missed opportunities due to dropped passes limited Stanford’s ability to fully capitalize on offensive drives.
Defensive Standouts
Defensively, Stanford showed determination, with Gaethan Bernadel leading in tackles and David Bailey and Tevarua Tafiti each making significant plays behind the line. Bailey and Tafiti recorded three tackles for loss each, while Bernadel also added a sack, contributing to a total of 10 tackles for loss. The defense, however, struggled to contain SMU’s Preston Stone, who threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns with efficiency.
Special Teams and Return Highlights
In a bright spot for the Cardinal, Bryce Farrell electrified the game with a 102-yard kick return touchdown, marking one of the game’s most thrilling moments. Kicker Emmet Kenney went 4-for-4 on extra points and completed a 50-yard field goal, though he missed a shorter attempt from the 30-39 yard range.
Looking Ahead
With this Week 8 result in the books, Stanford will regroup to refine their execution and consistency. The Cardinal remain focused on the path ahead, aiming to correct errors from this challenging matchup as they enter Week 9 with renewed determination.
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