Stanford had a fun cross-country flight home after making its Atlantic Coast Conference debut a memorable one.
The Cardinal responded to a late go-ahead touchdown by Syracuse with a clutch drive of its own on Friday night, winning the ACC game when Emmet Kenney kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired.
The kick sent Stanford back to the Bay Area with a 26-24 victory and capped a game in which Kenney made four field goals, including one from 51 yards out.
The winning drive unfolded just as Stanford coach Troy Taylor envisioned it.
“I said, ‘Hey, we’re going to drive down, we’re going to spot the ball in the middle of the field and we’re going to kick a field goal and get out of here,’” Taylor said postgame. “Obviously, we were able to do that. Emmet Kenney has been remarkable. Not going to jinx him, but he’s got a pretty good streak going.”
Stanford kicker Emmet Kenney, right, celebrates with punter Connor Weselman (15) after kicking the game-winning kick as Syracuse defensive back Clarence Lewis (3) reacts during the second half of an NCAA football game on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 in Syracuse, N.Y. Stanford beat Syracuse 26-24. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Stanford improved to 2-1. Syracuse fell to 2-1.
Here are the takeaways from the dramatic win:
CRUNCH-TIME HEROICS
Before Kenney was given a chance to win it, Stanford had to make the play of the night.
On fourth-and-9 from the Syracuse 45, Ashton Daniels connected with Elic Ayomanor for 27 yards to the 18.
Two snaps later, Kenney won the game.
“They left Elic one-on-one.” Daniels said. “The amount of trust and respect for the connection that I have with Elic, I knew there was no one else I could go to on that play. When Elic is one-on-one, he’s going to do everything he can to catch that ball. All I did was give him a chance. He made an outstanding play. I am just proud of him, what he’s become in this past year.”
Daniels finished 23 of 38 passing for 178 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted twice.
Ayomanor caught seven passes for 87 yards and a TD.
CATCH OF YEAR?
Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (13) makes a one-handed touchdown catch during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Syracuse, N.Y., Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Dennis Nett/The Post-Standard via AP)
Among Stanford’s numerous highlights was a one-handed catch for a touchdown by Ayomanor that put the Cardinal in front 7-0 in the first quarter.
Daniels said it was a normal catch for his talented receiver.
“Yeah, I would say so,” the quarterback said. “He’s that guy that no matter where I put the ball, I have faith that he’s going to go up there and catch it. That was just another one of his spectacular catches on display. But instead it was on ESPN in a big-time game for us. That was outstanding.”
DEFENSE DELIVERS
Syracuse wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr. (82) runs with the ball against Stanford during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Syracuse, N.Y., Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Dennis Nett/The Post-Standard via AP)
Syracuse entered the night averaging 497.5 yards per game. Stanford held the Orange to a season-low 365 yards.
The Cardinal was particularly dominant in the first half, limiting the home team to minus-13 yards rushing and 145 total yards through the first two quarters.
Stanford led 13-10 at the break and 20-17 heading to the fourth quarter.
“They’ve been really explosive on offense,” Taylor said. “We knew we had our hands full with the quarterback and the receivers. I think we disrupted their routes. We were able to get some pressure on them and got some early third-down stops.
“I know our defense would rather have that last drive back, but they were phenomenal the whole game.”
Stanford finished with a season-high four sacks, and Mitch Leigber returned an interception 71 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, which gave Stanford a 20-10 advantage.
LOVE FOR ACC
Stanford’s reaction to its first ACC game was among the postgame storylines. The Cardinal will follow the cross-country flight to Syracuse with another next week at Clemson.
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Taylor had nothing but praise for his program’s new home after the victory.
“We do a first-class job on traveling,” Taylor said. “We have a big plane. Our guys are treated well. We stayed at nice hotels. It’s not that big of a deal. We get dropped off on the tarmac. We take a big jet. We get dropped off on the tarmac. We have a hotel.
“We got out here early. That’s a big deal. Another day of expenses, but our administration stepped up and thought it was important. I think it showed how our guys were ready and settled. We have to turn around and do it again. That’s part of college football today. But we have said all along, we are excited to play in these venues. This was an unbelievable environment.”
UP NEXT
Stanford will travel to Death Valley next Saturday to take on a Clemson team that beat North Carolina State 59-35 on Saturday after routing Appalachian State 66-20 in its previous game, on Sept. 7. Clemson is 2-1 this season. Its loss was to Georgia, 34-3.
