Running back Micah Ford looks to continue momentum for Stanford football

As Death Valley roared on the first major third-down play of the game, Stanford football’s junior quarterback Ashton Daniels took the snap, immediately running an option to the right. Trapped by a defender, Daniels swiftly pitched the ball to freshman running back Micah Ford. With three blockers in front of him, Ford rumbled down the open field, dragging three Clemson defenders with him, nearly reaching the first-down marker. The next play, the Cardinal converted a crucial fourth-and-1, showing the Tigers they were up for the challenge. As the stadium quieted down, a feeling that this year’s team is different from years past started to materialize.

After an upset win against Syracuse, the Stanford Cardinal (2-2, 1-1 ACC) came up short against a Clemson Tigers (3-1, 2-0 ACC) team that has rebounded and found its rhythm since falling to Georgia in week one. Despite losing, the Cardinal continued to show improvement and promise in its new conference. This time it was Ford who led the way, tallying 15 rushes for 122 yards on the way to an ACC Rookie of the week honor. 

Ford’s 122-yard game was the first time that the Cardinal have had a 100-yard rusher in a game since the 2022 season. Additionally, Ford compiled the most all-purpose yards by a Stanford running back since Bryce Love ’19 — who went on to play in the NFL — had 143 yards against UCF in 2015. 

“As soon as I met Coach Taylor and all the staff, they were so welcoming, and they were letting me know that I had a chance to play as soon as I got here,” Ford said of head football coach Troy Taylor. “That definitely played a role in my decision to come here.”

Before arriving at Stanford, Ford played at Toms River High School in Toms River, N.J., ranking as a unanimous top-three running back recruit statewide. The three-star recruit totaled over 4,500 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns in his high school career as a dual-threat quarterback.

As an immensely talented multi-sport athlete, Ford compiled a laundry list of achievements and awards during high school, including 2022-23 Gatorade State Football Player of the Year, 2020 MaxPreps New Jersey Player of the Year, and two-time Zoneman Trophy winner — given to the best high school player in New Jersey. While Ford began as a running back his freshman year, he eventually became a swiss army knife for his team– transitioning into a dual-threat quarterback and safety.

“I was a dual-threat quarterback,” Ford said. “I ran the ball way more than I threw it, but when I had to throw the ball, I completed it. Third-and-10, you know? I’ll get that for sure.”

“I really like playing defense,” Ford said with a smile. “If I had a chance to play defense here, I would take that most definitely.”

The transition to the power conference level is always challenging for freshmen. For Ford, the biggest adjustment has been the increased speed at the high-major level and learning more complex play calls.

“In high school I would get one word, like ‘South Carolina’ and I would know the whole play and where everything was going.” Ford said. “But now it’s way longer [play] calls, and you have to listen to every single detail of the call or the whole play can be messed up.”

Still, Ford has managed a consistently demanding load throughout the season’s first four games, helping the Cardinal compete against some of the most formidable defenses in FBS. Ford’s Rookie of the Week honor now makes him the third Cardinal to win an ACC weekly award, as Emmet Kenney and David Bailey both received one after the team’s win over Syracuse last week. As Taylor continues to favor young talent over veteran experience, Ford looks to cement his role in the offense for years to come.

“When I was watching the ‘Quarterback’ series on Netflix, I took from it the George Kittle quote: ‘I inhale confidence and exhale fear,’” he said. “That’s what I really try to do, you know? Being on that stage as a freshman—not a lot of people get the chance to do that.

“I play every snap my hardest and just go out there for a fight.”

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