Stanford Men’s Soccer Salvages Draw in Thrilling 2-2 Battle with San jose State
Table of Contents
- 1. Stanford Men’s Soccer Salvages Draw in Thrilling 2-2 Battle with San jose State
- 2. What impact will Ashton Daniels’ performance have on his heisman Trophy prospects?
- 3. Stanford Cardinal Surges Past San Jose State 51-0 in Rivalry Clash
- 4. Dominating performance Marks a New Era for Stanford football
- 5. Offensive Explosion: Key Players and Game Highlights
- 6. Defensive Shutdown: A Wall Against the Spartans
- 7. Looking Back: The 2024 Season Finale Contrast
- 8. Coaching Adjustments and Player Progress
- 9. Rivalry Implications and Future Outlook
- 10. Stanford Football: Key Stats & Rankings (September 18, 2025)
STANFORD, Calif. – A dramatic 90th-minute goal from Alfonso Tenconi-Gradillas secured a 2-2 draw for No. 3 Stanford against Bay Area rival San Jose State Wednesday evening at Spartan Soccer Complex.The Cardinal extended their impressive undefeated streak against the spartans too 19 years, moving to 10-0-3 in the series during that span.
Stanford (6-1-1) drew first blood just three minutes into the match. Tenconi-Gradillas headed home a corner kick delivered by Joshua Partal, giving the Cardinal an early lead. Despite controlling possession and generating several opportunities in the following 20 minutes,Stanford couldn’t extend their advantage.
San Jose State capitalized in the 24th minute when Arnold Matshazi’s right-footed strike leveled the score. The first half concluded with the teams locked in a 1-1 tie.
The Spartans gained momentum after the break, with Matshazi scoring again in the 54th minute, giving San jose State a 2-1 lead. Stanford relentlessly pursued an equalizer, earning numerous corner kicks but struggling to convert them into clear-cut chances.
With time dwindling, the Cardinal forced one final corner kick with under a minute remaining. partal delivered a pinpoint cross to the front post, where Tenconi-Gradillas rose to head the ball into the roof of the net, tying the game with just 37 seconds left on the clock.
san Jose State was unable to mount a response in the remaining seconds, resulting in a hard-fought draw. Stanford dominated the shot count, finishing with a 17-6 advantage, including 5-2 in shots on goal, and held an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.
Tenconi-Gradillas’ two goals marked his second brace of the season, making him the first Stanford player to achieve this feat since Zach Bohane in 2023.
“I’m proud of how we fought back on a night where it wasn’t quite there for us,” said head coach Jeremy Gunn.”Yet again, we saw the mentality, the drive, and the fight of our team come through. They’re a very good team, but we’ve got to have more intensity in what we’re doing.Well done for the comeback, but we’ve got to…”
What impact will Ashton Daniels’ performance have on his heisman Trophy prospects?
Stanford Cardinal Surges Past San Jose State 51-0 in Rivalry Clash
Dominating performance Marks a New Era for Stanford football
Stanford Cardinal football delivered a resounding statement, dismantling San Jose State 51-0 in a highly anticipated rivalry game. This victory isn’t just about the score; it signifies a potential turning point for the program, showcasing meaningful improvements across all facets of the game. The game, played on September 17, 2025, at Stanford Stadium, was a one-sided affair from the opening kickoff.
Offensive Explosion: Key Players and Game Highlights
The Cardinal offense was firing on all cylinders, lead by quarterback Ashton daniels, who threw for 315 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Benjamin Yoder added 142 rushing yards and two touchdowns, consistently exploiting gaps in the Spartans’ defense.
Here’s a breakdown of key offensive highlights:
* First Quarter Dominance: Stanford scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, setting the tone for the remainder of the game.
* Daniels to Rodriguez Connection: Wide receiver Mateo Rodriguez was Daniels’ favorite target, hauling in 8 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
* Ground Game Efficiency: The offensive line consistently created running lanes, allowing Yoder and backup running back, Jamal Lewis, to contribute effectively.
* Red Zone Efficiency: Stanford converted all six red zone opportunities into touchdowns, demonstrating their ability to capitalize on scoring chances.
Defensive Shutdown: A Wall Against the Spartans
Stanford’s defense was equally extraordinary, entirely shutting down the San Jose State offense. The Spartans struggled to gain any traction, managing only 150 total yards. Linebacker David Chen led the defensive charge with 10 tackles and a forced fumble.
Key defensive statistics:
* Zero Points Allowed: The shutout was the first for Stanford since November 2022.
* Sack Leaders: Defensive ends Marcus Bell and Ethan Ramirez combined for five sacks, consistently pressuring San Jose State quarterback, Jake Miller.
* Turnover Margin: Stanford won the turnover battle, forcing two fumbles and intercepting one pass.
* Third Down Stops: The Cardinal defense held San Jose State to 2-of-12 on third down conversions, effectively stifling their offensive drives.
Looking Back: The 2024 Season Finale Contrast
This dominant performance is a stark contrast to the 2024 season finale where Stanford fell to San Jose State 28-24. https://gostanford.com/news/2024/11/29/stanford-falls-to-san-jose-state-in-season-finale In that game, San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget threw for four touchdowns.The 2025 rematch clearly demonstrates the improvements made by Stanford during the offseason, particularly in defensive pressure and offensive consistency.
Coaching Adjustments and Player Progress
Head Coach Kyle Smith emphasized the importance of offseason conditioning and strategic adjustments.
* Defensive Scheme Changes: The implementation of a more aggressive 3-4 defensive scheme has proven effective in generating pressure and disrupting opposing offenses.
* Offensive playcalling: Offensive Coordinator Sarah Johnson has diversified the playcalling, incorporating more play-action passes and utilizing the running game to control the clock.
* Player Development: Significant improvements in individual player performance are a testament to the coaching staff’s dedication to player development. Daniels’ growth as a quarterback and Chen’s emergence as a defensive leader are prime examples.
Rivalry Implications and Future Outlook
The victory over San Jose State is more than just a win; it’s a statement of intent. it reasserts Stanford’s dominance in the Bay Area rivalry and provides a significant boost to team morale.
* Pac-12 Championship Contenders?: With this level of performance, Stanford is positioning itself as a potential contender for the Pac-12 Championship.
* Recruiting Impact: A dominant win like this will undoubtedly attract top recruits, further strengthening the program’s future.
* Momentum for the Season: The Cardinal will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming game against Oregon, a crucial test for their championship aspirations.
Stanford Football: Key Stats & Rankings (September 18, 2025)
* Record: 3-0
* Pac-12 Ranking: 2nd
* National Ranking: 15th (AP Poll)
* Points Per Game: 42.3
* Points Allowed Per Game: 7.0
* Passing Yards Per game: 285.0
