STANFORD, Calif. — Stanford running back Micah Ford broke off for a 81-yard touchdown run in the final quarter to score his fourth touchdown of the game and cement Stanford's 34-7 rout over Elon.
Behind Ford's big day, Stanford (3-4) dominated the Phoenix (4-4), a Football Championship Subdivision team.
The first quarter went scoreless after Stanford and Elon both missed field goals, but Ford got the Cardinal on the board at the start of the second with a 1-yard plunge. Ford scored Stanford's second touchdown two drives later, breaking several tackles on a seven-yard run.
“I challenged our team at halftime," Stanford coach Tavita Pritchard said. "I don't think we played with the energy and focus that we needed to in the first half, and I think we did a better job in the second half.”
In the third quarter, Stanford quarterback Davis Warren connected with Sedrick Irvin for a 27-yard touchdown pass. On the next drive, Ford took the snap and bobbled it before securing the ball and darting around the edge to run for a five-yard touchdown.
Then, Ford took his first touch of the fourth quarter to the hous e, breaking free for an 81-yard score.
Ford’s four touchdowns tied Stanford's single-game record. Ford had three touchdowns against Hawaii in Stanford’s season opener.
“I feel great," Ford said. “It was honestly just a team effort. Just to see the hard work coming to fruition, it just means a lot.”
Elon running back Kamerin McDowell-Moore scored for the Phoenix in the fourth quarter.
The Cardinal remains at home on a quick turnaround, hosting NC State on Friday night.