The Opening Kickoff
• Stanford returns to Stanford Stadium on Saturday afternoon for its first ACC home game. The Cardinal takes on Virginia Tech at 12:30 pm on ACC Network.
• The Cardinal enters the game 1-1 in ACC play after opening up with consecutive conference games on the road. Stanford won its inaugural road game 26- 24 at Syracuse on Sept. 20 but fell 40-14 at No. 17 Clemson eight days later on Sept. 28.
• Defense has been the reason for the strong start to the 2024 campaign. Last year, the Cardinal defense allowed 461.7 yards per game, the most in program history. This season, they are limiting opponents to just 364.0 yards per game, and have recorded six turnovers.
• A theme of Stanford in wins under Coach Taylor has been the Card's ability to stop the run. Stanford is allowing an average of just 36.4 rushing yards per game to opponents in wins since the start of the 2023 season, or 182 yards in five games. Through five weeks of the 2024 season, Stanford's run defense ranks eighth in FBS and leads the ACC, allowing just 76.3 rushing yards per game.
• Freshman running back Micah Ford has drawn every start in 2024 and had his first breakout game last week against No. 17 Clemson. Ford ran for 122 yards on 15 carries, becoming the first Cardinal running back to eclipse the 100 yard-mark since Casey Filkins on Sept. 24, 2022 against No. 18 Washington. He also became the first freshman running back to run for over 100 yards for the Card since Kenneth Tolon on Nov. 24, 2001 against Notre Dame.
• Another freshman with a strong performance last Saturday against the Tigers was wide receiver Emmett Mosley V. Making his first collegiate appearance and start, Mosley touched the ball on the first two plays from scrimmage. He finished the game with seven receptions to pace Stanford and caught a 22-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
• Saturday, the Stanford community hosts its first Festival of Champions, honoring what makes Stanford a truly one-of-a-kind place. The Cardinal will honor Toby Gerhart prior to his upcoming induction into the NFF Hall of Fame, as well as honor the 2009 Sun Bowl and 2010 Orange Bowl teams. Several 2024 Paris Olympians will be returning to campus as well.
Festival of Champions
Join us for this unique celebration, saluting what makes The Farm a truly one-of-a-kind place. Fans will have the chance to meet and welcome back 2024 Cardinal Olympians, honor Toby Gerhart for his induction into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, and so much more.
Toby Gerhart
Stanford will salute Toby Gerhart during the game for his induction in to the College Football Hall of Fame in December. In his four seasons on The Farm, Gerhart amassed 3,522 rushing yards as a Cardinal, the second most by a Stanford rusher in program history at the time of his graduation (now ranks fifth). He ran in 44 touchdowns, all but one of which came in his final two seasons, which are still the most in Stanford history. He also remains the Stanford all-time leader in 100-yard rushing games with 20, 11 of which came during the 2009 season.
Bowl Teams Recognition
The Cardinal will recognize the 2009 Sun Bowl and 2010 Orange Bowl teams during Saturday's game. Those teams helped kickstart Stanford to 10-straight bowl game appearances through the 2018 season. The 2010 Orange Bowl win was against Virginia Tech, who the Cardinal will face on Saturday afternoon.
Pregame Happy Hour
Get in the gates early to enjoy $5 happy hour pricing on beer in the North Esplanade of Stanford Stadium. Happy hour pricing will be available from 11 AM until kickoff at 12:30 PM and is only available on the North Esplanade.
Koozie Giveaway: Courtesy of Stanford Federal Credit Union
Fan Fest
Arrive early and join us for this long-standing family affair, featuring food trucks, a beer garden, and family-friendly on your way to the Stadium. Fan Fest will be open 3 hours before kickoff and will close 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Admission is FREE. This week's Fan Fest will host your chance to meet up with Cardinal Olympians, enjoy a number of games and activities such as face painting, a petting zoo, and so much more! Fan Fest is located in the Hammer Throw area of Cobb Track and Angell Field. Click here to learn more about Fan Fest.
It's Festival of Champions week‼️
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) October 1, 2024
We have so much going on as we host Virginia Tech for our first @ACCFootball home game. 2024 Olympians return, we salute Toby Gerhart and the 2009-10 bowl teams, and SO MUCH more!
🎟️ ➡️ https://t.co/UHWh6uAeyq#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/pXhgHVGyxr