• Recap
• Bleachers

Stanford tops Washington for first win of season

Nov 12, 2006 - 12:39 AM SEATTLE (Ticker) -- If patience is a virtue, then Stanford fans owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Richard Sherman.

A freshman wide receiver, Sherman caught six passes for a season-high 177 yards to lead the Cardinal to their first victory of the season, a 20-3 win over Washington in a Pac-10 Conference matchup.

After coming within one triumph of becoming bowl eligible last season, Stanford (1-9, 1-6 Pac-10) entered scoring just 39 points in its last seven games following a 35-34 loss to San Jose State on September 9. However, the Cardinal snapped an 11-game skid and defeated the Huskies here for the first time since 1975.

With the score tied, 3-3, Stanford took the lead for good when sophomore safety Bo McNally intercepted Carl Bonnell and returned it 49 yards to the end zone midway through the third quarter. It was his first interception of the year.

Entering with 17 receptions for 233 yards, Sherman caught a screen pass from T.C. Ostrander early in the fourth quarter and scamped 74 yards to give Stanford a 17-3 advantage. It was his second touchdown of the campaign.

Aaron Zagory kicked two field goals for the Cardinal and Ostrander completed 11-of-20 passes for 206 yards. He was sacked four times.

Bonnell had a frustrating afternoon, going just 10-of-35 for 118 yards for Washington (4-7, 2-6), which has not won a game since starting quarterback Isaiah Stanback underwent season-ending foot surgery last month.