Can Stanford beat FCS opponent for first home win since 2022?

Cal Poly isn’t just an FCS team. It’s a lower-level FCS team.

The Mustangs (0-1) from San Luis Obispo were picked to finish last in the 12-team Big Sky in the conference’s preseason coaches poll and lost their opener 27-21 to San Diego, a fellow FCS school.

So on paper, Saturday’s home date against Cal Poly (4 p.m., ACCNX) should be the easiest game on Stanford’s schedule this season. But that doesn’t mean the Cardinal is taking it for granted. Not after last year’s loss to FCS-level Sacramento State, part of a 10-game home losing streak that dates back to 2022.

“There’s no overconfidence in us,” Stanford coach Troy Taylor said. “We lost to an FCS team last year, so we know what’s in store for us. We’re just hungry to play well against anybody that we play against.”

The Mustangs have lost eight straight games against FBS opponents since it beat Wyoming in 2012, including a 59-3 loss at San Jose State last season.

But Taylor, who coached at Sacramento State before coming to Stanford, says his team cannot afford to take anything for granted.

“They play great football at the FCS level, and these guys come in with the mentality that they want to prove something, so you better be ready, or you’re going to be in trouble,” Taylor said. “We have a lot to prove and we want to get in the win column.”

The Cardinal (0-1) hung tough against fellow Power Four opponent TCU at Stanford Stadium last Friday but gave up two touchdowns in the final four minutes in a 34-27 loss. Here is what to look for Saturday as Stanford looks to gain momentum heading into ACC play.

TURNOVERS

After recovering just three fumbles last season, Stanford’s defense recovered two in its opener against TCU.

“The defense made huge strides this week against a really talented team that presents a lot of conflict on the field with how they RPO and what they do in the pass game,” Taylor said.

The secondary should get some opportunities for more takeaways this week – Cal Poly quarterback Bo Kelly threw three interceptions against San Diego, including two that were returned for touchdowns.

“As we play more aggressively we will create more turnovers,” Taylor said. “We have to be able to pressure the quarterback a little bit more and make him a little bit more hurried in his decision-making, hit him a few more times in the pocket.”

The Cardinal only had one sack and two quarterback hurries against TCU. Its ability to create turnovers and deliver short fields for the offense will be critical if Stanford hopes to pull some upsets this season.

RUN GAME

While quarterback Ashton Daniels ran 17 times for 87 yards, the rest of the team ran 20 times for 34 yards, a continuation of last year’s struggles to get production in the run game from non-QBs.

“Overall, we have to improve our protection and be better at the point of attack and finish blocks,” Taylor said. “I would say that’s an area that we need to see improvement in.”

True freshman Micah Ford (10 rushes for 18 yards) saw the bulk of the non-quarterback carries against TCU and should improve after getting his first collegiate action.

Matt Colombo (15 carries for 88 yards) and Isaiah Smith (15 carries for 79 yards) both had success for San Diego last week.

BROWN DEBUT

Daniels will continue to start, and Justin Lamson is expected to come in for short-yardage situations. But if Stanford puts the game out of reach like it’s supposed to against Cal Poly, then highly touted freshman Elijah Brown should make his first appearance for the Cardinal.

“I really want to see Elijah Brown play, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he got in the game,” Taylor said. “He’s just a talented guy that we need to get on the field and get him some experience and let him play, so we’ll see how the game sorts out.”

Brown is a unanimous four-star recruit who went 42-2 with two state championships as a starter at California powerhouse Mater Dei.