Time to regroup and refocus for the next game.

Takeaways from Stanford football’s loss to Wake Forest

This one may hurt for a while. With Wake Forest up 27-24, the Stanford Cardinal were driving down the field with a chance to win when a late-game turnover squashed any opportunity for the Cardinal to snap their four-game losing streak. Instead, the Cardinal have now lost five in a row and will once again enter the next game in search of a win. However, a competitive game like this one will surely provide a bitter taste in Stanford’s mouth, fueling added motivation for the upcoming matchups.

This Cardinal loss will be felt deeply. Regardless of the situation, all losses sting, particularly for a team like Stanford that hasn’t tasted victory in some time. The pain of a close defeat is often more pronounced, especially when the team knows it was within reach. The game against Wake Forest was one of those gut-wrenching instances where the players and coaches poured their heart and soul into preparation and execution, only to come up short when it mattered most.

“They’re all painful, to be honest with you. That’s the nature of the game we’re in,” head coach David Taylor stated. “You put everything you can into a week—coaches, players, everyone. Our ops people, everything. And then to come up short, I understand. Sometimes when you’re closer, it can seem like it hurts more. When you’re trying to build a program and do those things, all the losses hurt. You just have to be able to respond and be resilient and come back the next week.”

Now, having lost five straight, the Cardinal will undoubtedly approach the remainder of the season with a renewed sense of urgency and fire. With four games left, the focus will shift toward being competitive and finding ways to build momentum as they head into the offseason with optimism for the future.

One notable aspect of the game was that the defense showed promise. Despite the final score suggesting otherwise, the Cardinal defense created problems for Wake Forest. The defensive unit made some significant plays, including an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown. While there were areas that needed improvement, the defense demonstrated once again why it has been the backbone of the team throughout the season.

“I thought they did a pretty good job in that area,” Taylor said. “For the second week in a row, we’ve had hands to the face on a quarterback after we stopped them on third down, which resulted in points. That kind of stuff has to improve. But we had a scoop and score for six points, and we had a tough goal-line stand on the one-yard line, keeping them out of the end zone at the end of the game. Heck of an interception by Brandon Nicholson. I thought we did some good things on defense. Obviously, we can play better, but I thought it was a pretty gutsy performance.”

Defense is essential in any football game, and a strong defensive unit can be a ticket to championship contention. If the Cardinal can focus on developing a robust defense, they may emerge as a formidable force in the offense-heavy ACC. They have shown flashes of brilliance, and if they can refine their approach and tighten their execution, they could turn close losses into victories.

Starting fast has become a significant emphasis for the team moving forward. A slow start has been a common theme in many of Stanford’s losses this season, and the game against Wake Forest was no different. Falling behind 14-0 early forced the Cardinal to scramble and climb back into the contest. Despite tying the game multiple times, the momentum of Wake Forest proved too much to overcome.

“That’s a point of emphasis; we need to start fast,” Taylor said. “Obviously, we had a breakdown in protection, and the ball sailed, leading to the pick. Sometimes I miss the other side of the ball’s touchdown because I’m focused on the offense. Just not clicking right away on offense puts our defense on a short field, hoping to go down and at least move the ball.”

“Wake Forest got off to a good start at 14-0. I thought our guys responded well. We scored, and then the defensive touchdown was big. But we also had a missed field goal, bad coverage on the punt, and a few missed throws. We turned the ball over. Even if your defense makes those plays, if you’re not firing on all cylinders, it’s going to be difficult to win.”

Establishing early momentum is crucial in football. If Stanford can prevent other teams from scoring early and put points on the board themselves, they could shift the dynamics of their games significantly. A fast start would not only boost team confidence but also create a psychological advantage over opponents.

Another key takeaway is that this may still be Ashton Daniels’ team after all. Following freshman Elijah Brown’s impressive debut against Cal Poly, many speculated whether he would ascend the depth chart upon his return from injury. However, Brown has struggled since coming back, and after starting against Wake Forest, early-game challenges led to Daniels being reinserted into the lineup. Once in the game, Daniels performed admirably, keeping his spot for the remainder of the match, raising questions about the team’s quarterback plan moving forward.

“We were going to play both of them and utilize them both, but Ash just got hot,” Taylor noted. “I thought he played well in the run game, ran the ball effectively, and made good decisions in the pass game. So when he started playing well and we found a rhythm, I decided to stick with Ashton.”

With a 2-6 record, it’s clear that the remainder of the season is about building for the future. While playing Brown may offer valuable experience for the long-term, giving Daniels the chance to continue developing ahead of his senior season could also be advantageous. The coaching staff faces a delicate balance between immediate success and future development, making every decision crucial in their efforts to return to contender status.

Confidence in the future remains high despite the season’s challenges. The Cardinal may be deep in a rebuilding phase, but there have been numerous moments of pride, especially with their defensive core, which boasts one of the nation’s best run defenses. Although they have virtually been eliminated from bowl contention, there is a palpable sense of optimism in the locker room that the pieces are coming together.

“We’re almost there. I feel like people can feel it, and we just got to come next week and ball out,” linebacker Tevarua Tafiti said.

Rebuilds are often tough and grueling, but it’s vital for the Cardinal to lean on their strengths as they move forward. By building on their defensive success, they can lay a foundation that will serve them well in the coming seasons, providing the necessary tools to compete for conference titles and, eventually, College Football Playoff spots.

As the Cardinal regroup and refocus, they must take the lessons learned from the loss to Wake Forest and apply them moving forward. The disappointment of the defeat can serve as a powerful motivator, propelling them to work harder and strive for improvement in all facets of the game. Each practice is an opportunity to grow, to refine their strategies, and to strengthen their resolve.

The upcoming games will be crucial for the Cardinal. They have a chance to show their resilience and adaptability, turning the frustration of this loss into fuel for future success. As they approach the next matchup, they must remember the lessons of grit and resilience that coach Taylor emphasized. Each player has a role to play in the team’s evolution, and now is the time for everyone to step up.

The path ahead may be challenging, but the potential for growth is undeniable. The Cardinal are poised to transform their season, and the experience gained from tough games like this one will be invaluable. As they continue to build their identity as a team, they can take comfort in knowing that each setback is merely a stepping stone toward their ultimate goals. With determination and focus, the Cardinal can emerge stronger, more unified, and ready to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead. The road to redemption begins now, and the lessons learned from this loss will serve as a guiding light on their journey forward.