Game-changing play in second half helps Stanford beat Boston College in ACC opener

STANFORD Quarterback Ben Gulbranson had his best tournament of the season Saturday but the Stanford football club turned to its defense to help earn its first win under interim coach Frank Reich A huge goal-line stand by Stanford late in the third quarter speedily led to a go-ahead touchdown run by Micah Ford helping to propel the Cardinal to a - win over Boston College in the ACC opener for both teams Stanford s defense came up with a game-changing play late in the third quarter On th and goal on the Cardinal -yard line Eagles running back Turbo Richard tried to leap the pile at the line of scrimmage but had the ball knocked loose by defensive lineman Clay Patterson with safety Jay Green recovering in the end zone On the ensuing play Ford darted up the middle for a -yard run to the Boston College then scored on the next play to give Stanford a - lead after the extra point For the competition the Cardinal scored points off Boston College turnovers to help earn their first win of the year and open the season at home on a badly needed positive note Gulbranson a transfer from Oregon State completed of passes for yards and Ford had yards on carries Stanford - - ACC also had two huge plays in the second quarter to take a - lead Gulbranson completed his first touchdown pass of the season late in the first half On rd and three at the Cardinal Gulbranson revealed tight end Sam Roush along the sideline at the -yard line where Roush eluded a tackle and outraced Boston College cornerback Isaiah Farris to the end zone as Stanford cut Boston College s lead to - On the Eagles ensuing possession Cardinal corner Collin Wright intercepted an off-target pass by Eagles quarterback Dylan Lonergan and returned it yards for a touchdown giving Stanford a - lead with left in the second quarter Stanford moved the ball inside Boston College s -yard line on its first two drives but had to settle for a pair of field goals from fifth-year senior Emmet Kenney with the second from yards that gave the Cardinal a - lead with left in the first quarter Boston College s offense started to find a rhythm in the second quarter Trailing - Lonergan eluded a blitz and connected with Richard for a -yard touchdown with left in the first half On the next possession for Boston College - - Lonergan identified Reed Harris for a -yard gain to the Stanford with running back Jordan McDonald scoring on the next play Gulbranson before Saturday had an uneven start to his Cardinal career completing of passes for yards three interceptions and no touchdowns Related Articles Antioch s Joey Aguilar nearly leads Tennessee to upset win over No Georgia Arizona beats Kansas State and stays undefeated as the quest for a bounce-back season remains alive and well What to know before Cal hosts Minnesota in Berkeley Mailbag Hot Seats Jonathan Smith s options Jedd Fisch s future coaches to watch and spins of the carousel Coach Brian Flacks disrespected but did not retaliate against Stanford water polo players probe finds Lonergan meanwhile had completed of passes for yards and eight touchdowns before Saturday with the second-quarter interception he threw being his first of the season Through two games the Cardinal s longest play from scrimmage this season was a -yard pass from Gulbranson to Chico Holt in the third quarter of their season opener against Hawaii Starting left guard Nick Fattig left the championship with a leg injury in the second quarter further decimating an already thin Stanford offensive line Already out with injuries for the Cardinal were guards Nathan Mejia and Simione Pale Redshirt freshman Ziron Brown playing just his fourth battle replaced Fattig a transfer from Texas Tech