If you’re checking for the latest score for stanford football game, you probably already know it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster lately on the Farm. The Stanford Cardinal officially wrapped up their 2025 campaign with a tough home loss, but the season wasn't without its massive, "did that really happen?" highlights.
Basically, the final whistle for the 2025 season blew on November 29, 2025, at Stanford Stadium. The Cardinal faced off against a powerhouse #9 Notre Dame squad and, honestly, it got away from them pretty early. The final score was Notre Dame 49, Stanford 20. It wasn't the way head coach Frank Reich wanted to end his first year, but let's be real—Notre Dame is a different beast entirely.
What Really Happened With the Score for Stanford Football Game Against Notre Dame?
The November 29th matchup was supposed to be a statement game. Instead, it was a reminder of the gap Stanford still needs to close in the new landscape of college football. Stanford finished the season with a 4-8 overall record.
You’ve got to look at the stats to see where things fell apart. Quarterback Elijah Brown threw for 204 yards, but the ground game was non-existent. Chris Tabb was held to just 32 yards. Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s offense looked like it was playing a video game on easy mode, putting up 49 points.
Breaking Down the Final 2025 Results
If you're looking for the full picture of the season's scoring, it’s a weird mix of ACC conference grit and some non-conference bruisings.
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- The Season Finale: Notre Dame 49, Stanford 20.
- The Big Game Glory: Stanford 31, Cal 10. (This was huge—snapping a four-game losing streak against the Bears.)
- The Heartbreaker: North Carolina 20, Stanford 15. This was the game that officially knocked them out of bowl contention.
- The Upset: Stanford 20, Florida State 13. Yeah, FSU had a rough year, but beating them on "Reunion Homecoming" felt like old-school Stanford.
Why the 31-10 Win Over Cal Still Matters
While the Notre Dame score is the most recent, most fans are still talking about the score for stanford football game against California on November 22. Winning "The Axe" back is basically the only thing that matters if you're not going to a bowl game.
Stanford didn’t just win; they dominated. They used a scrappy defense that returned two fumbles for touchdowns. Jay Green took one 49 yards to the house, and Darrius Davis added a 17-yard scoop-and-score. It was ugly, beautiful, and exactly what the 50,000 people in the stands wanted to see. Micah Ford also put up 150 rushing yards that night. If Stanford can find a way to bottle that energy for 2026, things might actually look up.
The Frank Reich Era: Year One in Review
Honestly, a 4-8 record sounds bad. But look at the context. Stanford moved to the ACC—a cross-country nightmare for travel—and they were breaking in a new coaching staff.
Frank Reich finished 4-8, with a 3-5 record in the ACC. They were 122nd in the nation in points per game, averaging only 18.8. That’s the real problem. You can’t win many games when you’re barely sniffing 20 points. The defense wasn't much better, giving up nearly 30 points a game.
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Looking Ahead to the 2026 Schedule
Since the 2025 season is in the books, the focus shifts to the 2026 schedule. We already know who's coming to the Farm and where the Cardinal have to travel.
2026 Home Games at Stanford Stadium:
- Georgia Tech
- Miami
- NC State
- SMU
2026 Road Games:
- California (The Big Game goes back to Berkeley)
- Duke
- Louisville
- Virginia Tech
- Wake Forest
One weird thing to note: the rivalry game against San Jose State, which usually happens every year, has been moved. They won't play the Spartans again until 2028. This leaves a gap in the non-conference schedule that fans are hoping gets filled with something interesting, though most just want more wins, period.
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The Reality of Recent Stanford Football Scores
People get frustrated because they remember the Andrew Luck and Christian McCaffrey eras. But right now, the score for stanford football game is often a reflection of a team in transition.
They are struggling with the transfer portal compared to other schools, mostly due to academic standards. It's tough to bring in a 5-star veteran from the SEC when they can't get their credits to transfer. This means Reich has to build through high school recruiting and development. Elijah Brown showing flashes of talent is a good sign, but the offensive line has to protect him better than they did against Pitt or Miami.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the Cardinal into the 2026 off-season, here is what you should actually keep an eye on:
- Watch the Transfer Portal (Carefully): Look for graduate transfers. Stanford has a much easier time admitting players who already have their degrees and want to pursue a Master's.
- Monitor Elijah Brown's Development: He’s the future. His stats in the final three games showed more poise than the early-season rotation.
- Check the Spring Game Score: Usually held in April, the Spring Game is the first real look at the new roster. It won't be a "real" score, but it’ll tell you if the offense has actually found a rhythm.
- Book Your ACC Travel Early: If you're planning to follow the team to Louisville or Virginia Tech, start looking at flights now. Those East Coast trips are no joke for the players or the fans.
The 2025 season had plenty of "what if" moments, but the final scores don't lie. Stanford is a team that can beat a rival like Cal or a big name like Florida State on a good day, but they still lack the depth to hang with the Top 10 for four quarters.