Stanford, Calif.-----San Jose State turned three of its four takeaways into points, but Stanford found five different ways to score touchdowns in a 42-17 win over the Spartans.
Chris Owusu's 94-yard return on the opening kickoff and Richard Sherman's 48-yard punt return to conclude the third quarter were two startling scoring plays that complemented an efficient Cardinal ground game that netted 211 yards.
The Cardinal (2-1) immediately jumped out to a 14-0 lead with Owusu's second kickoff return of the season for a touchdown and a 3-yard run by running back Toby Gerhart in the first 7:01 of the game.
San Jose State (0-3) put its points on the scoreboard on a 1-yard completion from Jordan La Secla to Jalal Beauchman, a 30-yard Tyler Cope field goal and a 14-yard run by running back Lamon Muldrow.
Peyton Thompson's interception near the San Jose State goal line stopped a possible Stanford second-quarter drive and initiated the Spartans' first scoring drive of the night. La Secla was on target in the subsequent 70-yard scoring drive finding five different receivers before finishing with a second completion to Beauchman on 4th and goal.
Travis Jones' third-quarter recovery of a Toby Gerhart fumble led to Cope's field goal that cut the Stanford lead to 28-10.
Cope's field goal was preceded by Casey Gatewood's 23-yard interception return of a La Secla pass in the left flat intended for Muldrow on the Spartans' first possession of the second half.
Following Sherman's punt return for six points in which he took a Philip Zavala punt on the near the Stanford sideline and crossed the field to the San Jose State side, defensive end Travis Johnson came up with a fumble recovery. Kyle Reed, who came into the game in the fourth quarter, engineered a 43-yard drive capped by a 14-yard up the middle run by Muldrow.
The Spartans were outgained, 382 to 228. Most of San Jose State's yardage came through the air. La Secla was 17-30 with an interception for 155 yards and a touchdown in three quarters of action. He was 11-of-14 in the first half and was under heavy pressure while he was in the game.
San Jose State returns to action in Spartan Stadium, Saturday, September 26 hosting Cal Poly in a 5:00 p.m. game.