STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Tanner McKee threw two touchdown passes to Michael Wilson and Stanford defeated FCS Colgate 41-10 on Saturday in a season opener for both teams.
E.J. Smith had career bests with 118 yards rushing and five catches while running for two touchdowns to help the Cardinal snap a seven-game losing streak that dated to last season.
Stanford is 10-2 in home openers and 9-3 in season openers under coach David Shaw. Colgate marked the second opponent and third game against an FCS team in Shaw's 11-year tenure.
On Stanford's first play from scrimmage, Smith took the handoff, cut left and raced into the end zone for an 87-yard touchdown. That tied Nathaniel Peat for the fifth-longest touchdown run in school history. Smith's previous career high was 54 yards rushing against Utah last season. Smith added another 37 yards receiving.
McKee was 22 of 27 for 308 yards passing and was relieved for Ari Patu at the start of the fourth quarter, who threw a 7-yard touchdown to true freshman Mudia Reuben.
John Humphreys had 88 yards receiving for Stanford, highlighted by a 53-yard grab down the Cardinal sideline. Wilson finished with five catches for 82 yards.
After Stanford muffed a punt that led to a Colgate touchdown, the Cardinal answered with three consecutive touchdown drives to end the first half.
Casey Filkins scored a 1-yard touchdown in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, capping a 5-play, 77 yard drive to extend the lead to 35-10.
The last time Stanford played an FCS opponent was UC Davis in 2018.