Boys and girls, we've officially made it. This upcoming Friday the good guys are back in action, traveling out West to take on the Stanford Cardinal in a Friday night ACC clash. Unlike most teams, Stanford already has a game under their belt -- surpassing the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 37-27, in a Week 0 matchup.
While the majority of Hurricanes fans were watching from the couch, enjoying the sport we all love returning, I was observing film on the Cardinal and getting Hurricanes fans ready for everything we need to know about the Cardinal's Week 0 performance.
Davis Warren was the star of the game.
Warren Shines in Stanford Debut
On Saturday, we got our first look at former Michigan quarterback Davis Warren participating in a full live action game for the first time since the 2024-25 season after undergoing an ACL injury, sidelining him for the entire 2025-26 season.
Despite that, he stood out in his debut with the Cardinal by completing 22 of his 34 throws for 310 passing yards and one touchdown score while rushing four times for 31 yards on the ground. Warren stood tall in the pocket all night as the Cardinal offensive line only allowed two sacks. As we all know by now, Miami has one of the most feared defensive lines in the country, so they should be able to apply pressure on Warren.
Of course, Miami's defense is not Hawaii. However, before transferring to Stanford, Warren beat Ohio State at Michigan during the 2024-25 season. So, if you are a Hurricanes player, coach, or fan, you do not want to overlook someone who beat a team that won the national championship that season. Miami should contain the Stanford offense, but Davis Warren will be a nice early test for this loaded defense.
Stanford is Going to Give Micah Ford the **** Ball
There is no doubt in my mind that if Stanford is on a third and short, that ball will be in the hands of Stanford's running back, Micah Ford. In the first half, he had 15 carries for 79 yards as they established the run game early, which set the tone for the rest of the game. He ended the night with a total of 25 carries for 105 rushing yards and three scores.
Again, Miami's defense is not Hawaii's. This past season, the Hurricanes were ranked among the best defending the run. If Ford is going to have a big night against Miami, he will have to get by the front four of Damon Wilson, Ahamd Moten, Marquise Lightfoot, and Justin Scott. So, good luck to him on that.
Stanford Defense Looked Solid... Until the Fourth Quarter
Last season, the Cardinal defense was ranked among the worst in the country. Following that poor performance, Stanford decided to hire new defensive coordinator Kris Richard, who had Stanford's defense locked in for the majority of the game on Saturday. Well, until the fourth quarter. This is where the Cardinal defense let up 20 unanswered points to Hawaii, allowing the Rainbow Warriors back into the ball game.
Heading into the game, Stanford's game plan was to contain Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado. The Cardinal defense did a great job limiting him in the first half, allowing only 78 passing yards. However, as the game went on especially in the fourth quarter, the Stanford defense began to fold. They gave up big chunk plays on money downs, allowing Hawaii back into the game. However, Stanford held on by forcing a massive fumble and returning it for a touchdown to win 37-27.
1-0 every week. Go Canes. Beat Stanford.
While the majority of Hurricanes fans were watching from the couch, enjoying the sport we all love returning, I was observing film on the Cardinal and getting Hurricanes fans ready for everything we need to know about the Cardinal's Week 0 performance.
Davis Warren was the star of the game.
Warren Shines in Stanford Debut
On Saturday, we got our first look at former Michigan quarterback Davis Warren participating in a full live action game for the first time since the 2024-25 season after undergoing an ACL injury, sidelining him for the entire 2025-26 season.
Despite that, he stood out in his debut with the Cardinal by completing 22 of his 34 throws for 310 passing yards and one touchdown score while rushing four times for 31 yards on the ground. Warren stood tall in the pocket all night as the Cardinal offensive line only allowed two sacks. As we all know by now, Miami has one of the most feared defensive lines in the country, so they should be able to apply pressure on Warren.
Of course, Miami's defense is not Hawaii. However, before transferring to Stanford, Warren beat Ohio State at Michigan during the 2024-25 season. So, if you are a Hurricanes player, coach, or fan, you do not want to overlook someone who beat a team that won the national championship that season. Miami should contain the Stanford offense, but Davis Warren will be a nice early test for this loaded defense.
Stanford is Going to Give Micah Ford the **** Ball
There is no doubt in my mind that if Stanford is on a third and short, that ball will be in the hands of Stanford's running back, Micah Ford. In the first half, he had 15 carries for 79 yards as they established the run game early, which set the tone for the rest of the game. He ended the night with a total of 25 carries for 105 rushing yards and three scores.
Again, Miami's defense is not Hawaii's. This past season, the Hurricanes were ranked among the best defending the run. If Ford is going to have a big night against Miami, he will have to get by the front four of Damon Wilson, Ahamd Moten, Marquise Lightfoot, and Justin Scott. So, good luck to him on that.
Stanford Defense Looked Solid... Until the Fourth Quarter
Last season, the Cardinal defense was ranked among the worst in the country. Following that poor performance, Stanford decided to hire new defensive coordinator Kris Richard, who had Stanford's defense locked in for the majority of the game on Saturday. Well, until the fourth quarter. This is where the Cardinal defense let up 20 unanswered points to Hawaii, allowing the Rainbow Warriors back into the ball game.
Heading into the game, Stanford's game plan was to contain Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado. The Cardinal defense did a great job limiting him in the first half, allowing only 78 passing yards. However, as the game went on especially in the fourth quarter, the Stanford defense began to fold. They gave up big chunk plays on money downs, allowing Hawaii back into the game. However, Stanford held on by forcing a massive fumble and returning it for a touchdown to win 37-27.
1-0 every week. Go Canes. Beat Stanford.
