Stanford travels to Hawaii with a revamped tempo offense under new coach Troy Taylor
Stanford wide receiver John Humphreys (5) is unable to catch a pass against Southern California defensive back Ceyair Wright (22), who was called for pass inference on the play, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. Stanford opens their season at Hawaii on Sept. 1. Credit: AP/Godofredo A. Vásquez
Stanford (0-0) at Hawaii (0-1), Friday at 11 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)
Line: Stanford by 3, according to FanDuel Sportsbook
Series record: Stanford 3-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Stanford will be making its debut under new coach Troy Taylor, who takes over a team that went 3-9 a year ago (1-8 conference) and was picked by Pac-12 media to finish last this fall. The Cardinal have won nine of the last 12 season openers. Hawaii is coming off a 38-25 loss at Vanderbilt in its opener and has not won a game against a Power 5 opponent since a 31-28 win over Oregon State in Honolulu on Sept. 7, 2019.
KEY MATCHUP
Stanford’s revamped tempo offense will look to establish a rhythm against a Hawaii defense that limited Vanderbilt to fewer than 300 total yards. Sophomore Ashton Daniels, the Cardinal’s projected starting quarterback, attempted just six passes last season. Hawaii’s defense did not record a takeaway against the Commodores, but did manage three sacks in the loss.
Stanford place kicker Joshua Karty (43) celebrates with teammates after scoring a extra point during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Joshua Karty was named to The Associated Press preseason All-America team, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Credit: AP/Nam Y. Huh
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Stanford: PK Joshua Karty was tabbed by league media as the All-Pac-12 preseason first team placekicker. He was 18 for 18 on field-goal attempts last season, including a school record 61-yard kick at Cal. Karty went on to earn first team AP All-America honors.
Hawaii: QB Brayden Schager threw for a career-high 351 yards and three touchdowns in the season-opening loss at Vanderbilt last week. The junior completed a career-best 27 of his 35 pass attempts and is expected to make his 11th consecutive start.
FACTS & FIGURES
Taylor is the 35th coach in the history of Stanford football. He spent the last four seasons at Sacramento State, where the Hornets went 30-8 during his tenure, including a 12-1 record in 2022. … Hawaii has won its last three home games against Pac-12 teams dating to 2015. … The last meeting between the teams was in 1972. … All three previous meetings were in Honolulu.
