Stanford Shocks Florida State with Late Victory in Home Finale

Stanford University achieved an unexpected victory over Florida State on Saturday night, winning 20-13 in a dramatic finish at Stanford Stadium. This result marked the Cardinal’s first home win against an FBS team in over a year, ending a streak of 12 consecutive losses. The win improved Stanford’s home record to 3-0 for the first time since 2018, a year they last participated in a bowl game.

In a thrilling conclusion, Stanford’s Gavin Sawchuk was ruled down just inches from the goal line on a final untimed play, a decision confirmed after a lengthy review. Interim coach Frank Reich expressed immense pride in his team’s performance. “This is crazy,” he stated. “Really proud of the guys. 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. We find ways to win.”

The Cardinal, now holding a record of 3-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play, entered the game as 17.5-point underdogs. Meanwhile, Florida State fell to 3-4, continuing its struggles with a ninth consecutive loss in the conference.

Backups Rise to the Occasion

In a challenging turn of events, Stanford lost starting quarterback Ben Gulbranson and running back Micah Ford to leg injuries in the second quarter. Their absence left the team relying on redshirt freshmen Elijah Brown and Cole Tabb. Brown orchestrated an impressive 13-play, 94-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter that extended Stanford’s lead to 20-10.

“(Elijah’s) always composed,” Tabb noted. “He’s always calm, cool, collected back there, no matter what the situation is.” Brown completed 6 of 12 passes for 71 yards, demonstrating poise under pressure. Tabb, stepping up significantly in the running game, amassed 118 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Reich praised Tabb’s performance, calling it a “massive game” and highlighting his ability to make crucial plays.

Defensive Standouts Secure the Win

Defensively, Stanford faced a formidable Florida State team, which ranked third nationally in yards per game (536.5) and fifth in points per game (44.2). Despite losing top cornerback Collin Wright early in the game, Stanford’s defense held firm, limiting Florida State’s rushing attack to just 133 yards on 43 carries—less than half of their average. The Seminoles averaged only 3.1 yards per carry, with their longest run measuring just 15 yards.

“We trusted our front, so we held it up in the back end,” said junior safety Jay Green. “We knew that was the plan going in, just stop the run and figure everything out from there.” Florida State’s quarterback Tommy Castellanos managed an 8-yard scoring run right before halftime, but the Stanford defense maintained discipline throughout the contest.

As the game neared its conclusion, Florida State had one last chance to equalize, starting a drive at their own 20-yard line with only 1:03 remaining and no timeouts. True freshman Kevin Sperry took charge after Castellanos exited due to injury. Facing a critical third-and-22 from the 38-yard line, Sperry connected with Micahi Danzy on a remarkable 53-yard pass to the Stanford 9. Following a pass interference call against Stanford, Florida State had one final untimed down at the 2-yard line. Sperry’s shovel pass to Sawchuk fell short as Stanford linebacker Matt Rose made the decisive tackle.

Looking Ahead

With the home victory under their belt, Stanford now turns its attention to the challenge of securing a win on the road. Reich emphasized the importance of proving their capabilities away from home. “We’ve talked about one step that we’ve got to prove to ourselves is that we can go on the road and play good football,” he stated.

Next Saturday, Stanford faces a tough opponent in Miami, a team that has recently lost to Louisville, narrowing its own margin for error in the race for the ACC Championship and a potential College Football Playoff berth. As Stanford continues to defy preseason expectations—having been predicted to finish last in the 17-team ACC—the team has three more home games and three contests against unranked opponents to improve on their recent struggles.

“It’s really exciting to see what Andrew Luck is doing, how he’s leading this program, how he’s connecting with all the past players,” Reich added, reflecting on the positive direction of Stanford football. The Cardinal aim to build on their recent success and regain their status as a competitive force in college football.