Stanford finishes 3-9 for the fourth straight year after a late loss to San Jose State

SAN JOSE — Despite being picked to finish last in its first year in the ACC, Stanford hoped that greater depth and a second season of familiarization with the systems of head coach Troy Taylor and defensive coordinator Bobby April would lead to improvements would lead.

Instead, the Cardinal had many of the same problems as last year, finishing 3-9 for its fourth straight season after losing 34-31 to San Jose State in the Bill Walsh Legacy Game at CEFCU Stadium on Friday.

A defense that ranked 127th of 133 FBS teams in passing yards allowed (271.1 per game) gave up 385 yards and four touchdowns to Spartans quarterback Walker Eget, including an 18-yard TD to Treyshun Hurry via walk-on senior cornerback Evan Jackson with 1:08 remaining left the final points.

The presence of Jackson on the decisive play — and three other true freshmen who played in the second round Friday — showed that Stanford still needs to strengthen its roster, including a stronger role in the transfer market, to compete in a major conference.

“We definitely need to get more people here who can compete at this level and we are committed to doing that,” Taylor said.

Ashton Daniels threw for 252 yards and ran for a game-high 91 yards, but had three interceptions, including one at the Stanford 38 with 2:39 left that set up the winning score. Additionally, the ball slipped out of his hands on fourth-and-six from the Stanford 43 with 1:08 left on the Cardinal’s final possession.

“He gave his heart and soul,” Taylor said. “I’m trying to do a piece there. Obviously it wasn’t what we wanted or what he wanted. I know he’ll regret this, but we had other options. You know, it was obviously a big piece. But I feel for him because I know he’s unwell.”

The Cardinals were trailing 27-17 early in the fourth quarter when the defense put up a score against the Spartans (7-5). David Bailey stripped Eget and the ball was picked up by offensive lineman Peseti Lapuaho, but Gaethan Bernadel forced another fumble that was recovered by Jahsiah Galvin in the end zone.

Cornerback Colin Wright then intercepted Eget at the goal line and returned the ball 46 yards on SJSU’s next drive, leading to a Daniels touchdown run that gave Stanford a 31-27 lead with 7:39 left.

Elic Ayomanor had a season-high 10 catches and 109 yards, and freshman Emmett Mosley V had seven catches for 101 yards and a score for Stanford. But once again, the Stanford running game (10 runs for 28 yards) was ineffective, and the Cardinal escaped with no points in the first half as they rallied from 1st.

“We didn’t play football very well,” Taylor said. “We had a few opportunities inside the five where we weren’t able to release the ball and move people. And you know, if you want to win games and ultimately championships, you have to be really good up front.”

And after getting six sacks in the big game last week, Stanford had just one in 50 dropbacks against SJSU as Eget was finally able to pick the Cardinal apart.

The Cardinals won their first-ever ACC game at Syracuse and defeated a ranked Louisville team at Stanford Stadium – they will surpass their preseason project by finishing ahead of Florida State, which finished 1-7 in the ACC – but the only other FCS opponent Cal Poly won.