Pac-12 Football Week 1: Game-by-Game Highlights

Pac-12 North

Sep 5, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) runs past Stanford Cardinal cornerback Ronnie Harris (21) for a touchdown during the second quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

No. 21 Stanford          6

Northwestern         16

This was a big upset! Experts like former Oregon Head Coach Mike Belotti, now ESPN College analyst chose Stanford as his No. 5 overall team in the Pac-12 and they lose to an unranked team in their first game of the season. Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports and San Jose Mercury News College Sports writer Jon Wilner both predicted Stanford to end up No. 2 in the Pac-12 North.

Stanford didn’t give these experts any favors today.  Northwestern’s defense was very physical, and the trick play of the Wildcats QB Clayton Thorson for a 42-yard run to the end zone came out of nowhere. It reminded me of the Boise State Statue of Liberty play.

Stanford’s QB fifth year senior Kevin Hogan was intercepted in the final minute of the game by Kyle Queiro in the end zone none-the-less.

Stanford needs to step it up, their next game is against University of Central Florida.

Next: No. 7 Oregon vs. Eastern Washington