Stanford Stuns Florida State: Backup Heroes Lead 20-13 Victory

UPDATE: In a stunning upset, the Stanford Cardinal defeated the Florida State Seminoles 20-13 on October 21, 2023, at Stanford Stadium, marking their first home win against an FBS team in over a year. This victory comes on the heels of a dramatic last-minute win over San Jose State, solidifying Stanford’s home dominance this season.

With this win, Stanford improves to 3-4 overall and 3-0 at home for the first time since 2018. Interim coach Frank Reich expressed his pride in the team, stating, “This is crazy. I just love the fact that we’re 3-0 at home. We’ve taken some punches and had some down moments. We’ve been money at home.”

Despite entering the game as 17.5-point underdogs, Stanford overcame significant adversity when starting quarterback Ben Gulbranson and running back Micah Ford left the game with leg injuries in the second quarter. Their replacements, redshirt freshmen Elijah Brown and Cole Tabb, stepped up remarkably. Brown led a crucial 13-play, 94-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter, extending Stanford’s lead to 20-10.

“(Elijah’s) always composed,” Tabb remarked. “He came back there, took the reins, led us to a win.” Brown completed 6 of 12 passes for 71 yards, while Tabb rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, showcasing his ability to carry the team forward.

Stanford’s defense was equally impressive, stifling a Florida State offense that ranked third nationally in yards per game before this matchup. Despite losing top cornerback Collin Wright early in the game, the Cardinal defense held FSU to just 133 rushing yards, significantly below their average of 274.5 yards per game.

The climax of the game came in a tense final sequence. With under a minute left, Florida State’s true freshman quarterback Kevin Sperry completed a desperate 53-yard pass to set up a chance at a dramatic finish. However, a pass interference call placed Florida State at the 2-yard line for an untimed down, where the Seminoles failed to score as Stanford linebacker Matt Rose halted Gavin Sawchuk just short of the end zone.

Looking ahead, Stanford aims to secure its first road win next Saturday against Miami at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN. This matchup comes with the added pressure of Miami’s recent loss to Louisville, making their path to the ACC Championship more challenging.

As Stanford continues to defy preseason predictions—having been picked to finish last in the ACC—the excitement around the program is palpable. Coach Reich noted the positive momentum, emphasizing the importance of their growing confidence. “We’re doing everything we can do to fight, scratch and claw, put this program back where we want it to be,” he stated.

This unexpected triumph not only boosts Stanford’s season but also revitalizes hope among fans and players alike as they look to build on their success moving forward.