Stanford Cardinal head coach Troy Taylor. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Only rhythm at 2024 Stanford football games comes from eclectic band

By Victor Haltom | Last updated Oct 20, 2024 4:14 PM ET

The Stanford Cardinal has historically fielded prolific offenses, led by star performers including quarterbacks Jim Plunkett (winner of the 1970 Heisman Trophy), John Elway (unanimous All-American and NFL Hall of Fame inductee), Andrew Luck (first-team All-American and four-time NFL Pro Bowler) and running back Christian McCaffrey (consensus All-American and 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year). However, the 2024 iteration of the Cardinal offense is out of sync. In four consecutive losses, Stanford has not once mustered more than 14 points.

The shortcomings of the Cardinal offense were displayed on Saturday when the SMU Mustangs visited Stanford Stadium. In a convincing 40-10 victory, Southern Methodist held the moribund Cardinal ground attack to 33 yards. The passing game was also inept, as Stanford QBs Ashton Daniels and Elijah Brown completed only 18-of-37 passes and threw two interceptions.

SMU RECORD 12 straight conference wins (was 11 – 1981 to 1982)
8 straight road wins (2nd in program history and tied for longest active FBS streak) https://t.co/LVnV4WdiLf
— SMU Stats & Info (@SMUStatsInfo) October 20, 2024

The lackluster performance of the Cardinal on the gridiron was generally matched by the enthusiasm level of Stanford fans in attendance. The Stanford Daily observed that "a sea of blue seemed to make up more than half of those cheering in Stanford Stadium." (The Mustangs and many of their supporters donned blue attire.) The only vim and vigor on the Cardinal side was generated by the Stanford Band.

Stanford Band Heading into the SMU Game @StanfordFball @lsjumb @DaStanfordTree @SMUFB @ACCFootball #paloalto #PonyUp pic.twitter.com/Nf3v0RS7uD
— Victor H. (@vshjah_Victor) October 20, 2024

Stanford Stadium's seating capacity is 50,424. However, the announced attendance on Saturday was only 19,117, and that figure "appeared to be generous."

After the game, SMU coach Rhett Lashlee complimented his defenders for holding standout Cardinal wide receiver Elic Ayomanor in check, via On3's Billy Embody. He had four receptions for 55 yards and the only Stanford touchdown.

On the other hand, Cardinal headman Troy Taylor told reporters after the game that the sluggish start of his offense prompted him to replace starting QB Daniels with Brown, via Sports Illustrated's Jason Burke. Taylor said he has not decided if Brown will be the starting signal caller going forward.

Stanford will try to match the energy of its band and get back on track on Oct. 26, hosting Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are 3-4, coming off a victory on Saturday over the University of Connecticut Huskies.

Victor Haltom

Victor Haltom began his undergraduate studies at SMU, then transferred to Penn State, graduating with BA in philosophy. He has extensive writing and editing experience, with over 250 sports-related articles having been published.

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