Stanford survives Hawaii rally in Pritchard's debut
Stanford held off a late Hawaii comeback to win 37-27 in Tavita Pritchard's first game as head coach. Micah Ford scored his third touchdown on a 2-yard run with 1:41 remaining. Stanford had led by 16 points in the fourth quarter before nearly collapsing.
Stanford opened the Tavita Pritchard era with a victory, though the debut nearly turned sour. The Cardinal built a 16-point fourth-quarter lead before Hawaii stormed back, forcing the home side to lean on running back Micah Ford, who punched in his third score from two yards out with 1:41 left to seal the result. Linebacker Tevarua Tafiti also contributed a fumble return for a touchdown during the pivotal fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium.
The win gives Pritchard a successful start to his head coaching tenure, a meaningful early marker for a program seeking stability. Ford's three-touchdown performance anchored the offense, while the defense's ability to create turnovers proved decisive despite the late scare.
This result could provide early momentum for Stanford under new leadership, potentially boosting recruiting interest and fan engagement in the program. For Hawaii, the late rally may signal competitive resilience despite the loss, which could factor into their conference outlook. The game's outcome may also shape early-season perceptions of both teams as they navigate their respective schedules.