Stanford knows defenses are going to do whatever it takes to slow down
Bryce Love after his record-setting 2017 season.
Being able to take advantage of that with the deep passing game will be key to the Cardinal's success this year.
JJ Arcega-Whiteside did just that, getting loose for three long TD catches from K.J. Costello to overcome a slow night by Love and No. 13 Stanford opened the season with a 31-10 victory over
San Diego State on Friday.
"That's what their game plan was, to load up the box and play one-on-ones on the outside," Arcega-Whiteside said. "That's what you want and all you can ask for. Now teams know they can't just load up the box and play one-on-one on the outside."
Love was held to 29 yards on 18 carries as the Aztecs (0-1) focused their defense on stopping the man who led all Power 5 backs with 2,118 yards rushing last season on the way to a Heisman Trophy runner-up finish.
After a slow start, the Cardinal (1-0) made San Diego State pay for that decision. Costello connected with Arcega-Whiteside on a 38-yard score in the second quarter and then on plays from 19 and 80 yards in the third quarter as the Aztecs defensive backs struggled to contend with Stanford's big receiver. Arcega-Whiteside finished with six catches for 226 yards.
"It's no secret Bryce is the best running back in the country," Costello said. "We all believe it. There were times I came to the line and there were 11 guys coming downhill to light him up. Being able to counter that is what you have to do to be a good offense."
Costello added a 19-yard TD pass to Colby Parkinson in the fourth quarter to break open what had been a close game for more than a half. Costello finished 21 for 31 for 332 yards and four TDs.
The game turned following an odd sequence late in the first half. Noble Hall intercepted a deflected pass for San Diego State but then lost the ball when Stanford receiver Trent Irwin raced back and knocked it loose before recovering the fumble.
Three plays later, Costello found Arcega-Whiteside deep for his first touchdown that gave Stanford a 9-7 lead at the half.
"The first half went pretty well," Aztecs coach Rocky Long said. "We intercepted the ball and if we don't fumble it right back, we go into the locker room with a lead. When the last play of the first half is a long touchdown pass, that ruins any momentum we had into halftime."
The Aztecs had scored first behind talented back Juwan Washington, who gashed Stanford with runs of 22, 10 and 40 yards on a 92-yard drive that ended with his 4-yard score.
THE TAKEAWAYSan Diego State: The Aztecs looks like they have another dynamic back to follow 2,000-yard rushers Donnel Pumphrey and Rashaad Penny, who led the way the past two years. Washington ran for a career-high 158 yards on 24 carries, gaining 84 on the first TD drive and adding a 39-yard run in the third quarter. He will need more help on offense as the season goes on for San Diego State to be successful.
Stanford: The game got off to an inauspicious start with the Cardinal calling a timeout before the first snap of the season. Jet Toner missed a 38-yard field goal on the opening drive and the offense struggled to get going early as the Aztecs bottled up Love. Stanford finally got on the board midway through the second quarter when Jake Bailey's 63-yard punt went out of bounds at the 1 and Bobby Okereke sacked Christian Chapman in the end zone.
THEY SAID IT"He's as fast as we are and he's quicker than we are. He made those plays last year. All you have to do is watch film of their last five games," Long on Arcega-Whiteside.
BY THE NUMBERSStanford finished with 50 yards rushing, its third fewest in eight seasons under coach David Shaw. The Cardinal had won just two out of 10 games with Shaw when rushing for less than 100 yards before this game.
UP NEXTSan Diego State: Host Sacramento State on Sept. 8.
Stanford: Host No. 15 Southern California on Sept. 8.