Sept. 6, 1997

Cardinal Opens with 28-12 Victory over Spartans

Chad Hutchinson threw a touchdown pass and Jon Haskins returned an interception 21 yards for a score late in the fourth quarter as 17th-ranked Stanford got past San Jose State, 28-12, in the season opener for both schools.

Hutchinson's four-yard scoring strike to Tommy Hanson midway through the second quarter gave the Cardinal a 14-0 halftime lead. Stanford built a 21-0 cushion with 2:31 left in the third quarter as Damon Dunn scored on a 21-yard scamper, but the Spartans came back.

Brian Vye hit Oliver Newell with a 50-yard bomb less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, pulling the Spartans within 21-6. San Jose State drove deep into Stanford territory on its next possession, and Vye capped it with a six-yard scoring scamper. However, the run conversion attempt failed, leaving the Spartans needing two scores to win.

San Jose State got the ball back once again, deep in its own territory. Vye tried to hit a receiver along the right sideline, but Haskins picked it off and went 21 yards into the end zone with 3:30 remaining to seal the game.

Stanford won for just the second time in its last 11 season openers (2-8-1). Dating back to last season, the Cardinal have won six straight games, the school's streak since 1969-70.

Stanford University Football