In a 58-7 Rout, Caden High Was the Only Thing Stanford Got Right
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There isn't much to salvage from a 58-7 loss, but if Stanford fans are looking for one thing that went according to plan Saturday in South Bend, it's the same name Stanford Roundtable highlighted before kickoff: Caden High. He needed to be more involved, and when he got his opportunity, he helped set up Stanford's only touchdown of the afternoon.
High finished with three catches for 64 yards, leading all Cardinal receivers in a game where very little else worked. The key moment came late in the third quarter, with Stanford already trailing 44-0. Davis Warren found High for a 52-yard gain, Stanford's biggest offensive play of the day.
Two plays later, Warren connected with Benji Blackburn for a three-yard touchdown, Stanford's only score of the game and the play that ended Notre Dame's streak of 44 unanswered points.
It's a small silver lining in an otherwise lopsided result, but it reinforces a pattern that has emerged throughout the season. High has shown the ability to make plays downfield and give Stanford's offense a spark when it needs one.
His 52-yard reception against Notre Dame demonstrated that potential even as the Cardinal struggled to sustain drives and generate consistent offense.
High's performance also gives Stanford a clear takeaway for the weeks ahead. The Cardinal need to find reliable offensive options, and targeting a receiver who has already demonstrated his ability to stretch the field could help create more opportunities for the entire offense.
Establishing that connection earlier could make a difference against weaker opponents.
The bigger picture from Saturday is less encouraging. Stanford lost the turnover battle for the first time all season, managed 144 passing yards as a team, and fell to 2-4 on the year, with Elon scheduled to visit on October 17.
None of that changes with one 52-yard catch. However, as Stanford's coaching staff looks for things to build on during a difficult stretch, High's ability to produce a big play in a game where the offense struggled is an encouraging sign.
If Stanford's offense is going to find any rhythm against Elon and its remaining opponents, getting High involved earlier would be a good place to start.
Rather than waiting until the team is facing a substantial deficit to target him downfield, the Cardinal should look for opportunities to make him a consistent part of the game plan. His performance against Notre Dame showed what he can contribute, even in a game where very little else went Stanford's way.
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