Stanford Heads to Syracuse for Inaugural ACC Matchup

 The Opening Kickoff

Stanford makes history this Friday night, playing its first-ever ACC game as the team heads east to face Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome. The game is set for a 4:30 p.m. PT kickoff on ESPN. This matchup marks the beginning of Stanford’s ACC journey, with another road game next week at Clemson. Additional ACC road games will take the Cardinal to NC State on November 2 and California on November 23.

Stanford is coming off a dominant 41-7 victory over Cal Poly on September 7, its first home win under head coach Troy Taylor. The Cardinal broke open the game with a 27-0 second-half surge, snapping a 10-game home losing streak and an eight-game skid dating back to the start of Taylor's tenure.

Special teams were pivotal in shifting momentum for Stanford. Against Cal Poly, the Cardinal blocked a field goal, executed a successful fake punt, and returned a punt for a touchdown. Tiger Bachmeier electrified the crowd with a 90-yard punt return for a score—his second-ever collegiate punt return. This was Stanford’s first punt return for a touchdown since Christian McCaffrey’s in the 2016 Rose Bowl against Iowa and tied for the second-longest in school history, just behind Thomas Henley’s 92-yard return in 1986.

Stanford’s defense also stood tall, particularly against the run. Cal Poly managed only 25 rushing yards on 20 carries, the third-fewest allowed under defensive coordinator Bobby April. The Mustangs were held to just one first down on the ground—the first time a Stanford defense has achieved that feat since the 2014 Foster Farms Bowl against Maryland.

A key theme for Stanford under Coach Taylor has been its strong run defense. Since the start of the 2023 season, Stanford has allowed just 39 rushing yards per game in its wins—156 yards total over four games. Through three weeks of the 2024 season, Stanford’s run defense ranks 10th in the NCAA and first in

 the ACC.