<!JL>
Sept. 6, 1997
Cardinal Opens with 28-12 Victory over Spartans
Chad Hutchinson threw a touchdown pass and Jon Haskins returnedan interception 21 yards for a score late in the fourth quarteras 17th-ranked Stanford got past San Jose State, 28-12, in theseason opener for both schools.
Hutchinson's four-yard scoring strike to Tommy Hanson midwaythrough the second quarter gave the Cardinal a 14-0 halftimelead. Stanford built a 21-0 cushion with 2:31 left in the thirdquarter as Damon Dunn scored on a 21-yard scamper, but theSpartans came back.
Brian Vye hit Oliver Newell with a 50-yard bomb less than twominutes into the fourth quarter, pulling the Spartans within21-6. San Jose State drove deep into Stanford territory on itsnext possession, and Vye capped it with a six-yard scoringscamper. However, the run conversion attempt failed, leavingthe Spartans needing two scores to win.
San Jose State got the ball back once again, deep in its ownterritory. Vye tried to hit a receiver along the rightsideline, but Haskins picked it off and went 21 yards into theend zone with 3:30 remaining to seal the game.
Stanford won for just the second time in its last 11 seasonopeners (2-8-1). Dating back to last season, the Cardinal havewon six straight games, the school's streak since 1969-70.