Sacramento State (2-0) at Stanford (1-1), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network)
Line: No line.
Series record: Stanford leads 1-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Stanford looks to bounce back from a blowout loss at USC in its home opener under first-year coach Troy Taylor, who was hired away from Sacramento State after last season. The Hornets are seeking their first win over a Pac-12 school since beating Colorado 30-28 in 2012.
KEY MATCHUP
Taylor vs. his former team. Taylor spent the previous four seasons coaching the Hornets. He led them to a 30-8 record and their first berth in the FCS quarterfinals in school history. Sacramento State had never won an FCS playoff game before Taylor’s arrival. Taylor’s former defensive coordinator, Andy Thompson, replaced him as Hornets coach.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sacramento State: QB Kaiden Bennett had an impressive first college start last week. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 176 yards and a TD and added 101 yards on 10 carries with two scores.
Stanford: QB Justin Lamson. Forced into action after Ashton Daniels got hurt, Lamson went 8 for 18 for 121 yards in his college debut. He also ran for 36 yards on 16 carries. Daniel went 2 for 7 for 19 yards and an INT before getting hurt. Taylor has not announced who will start this week.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Cardinal won the only previous meeting 52-17 in 2010. … Sacramento State has won a school-record 21 straight regular season games. … The Hornets have played at least one FBS opponent every year since 2002, beating Oregon State in 2011, Colorado in 2012 and Colorado State last season. … The Hornets last lost on the road on Sept. 18, 2021, at California. … The 49 points allowed in the first half last week for the Cardinal were their most in a game since 1996. … Stanford ran for 206 yards last week in the loss at USC. … The Cardinal are 18-3 against nonconference opponents at home in the Pac-12 era.
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