Cross Country Season Preview 2024

TCU coach Sonny Dykes will lead his team against Stanford in the season opener this Friday night in Palo Alto, California. Dykes, who didn’t secure a win against Stanford during his four years at Cal, is eager to start the season on a high note. Meanwhile, Stanford is looking for its first home win after a winless 2023 season at home under coach Troy Taylor. “They’re very well-coached, and I’ve known Sonny Dykes for a long time,” Taylor said. “They’ll have challenging schemes, but we’re ready.”

From 2013-16, Stanford defeated Dykes’ teams four times, including a 50-point blowout in his debut season at Cal. Last year, despite a national runner-up finish, TCU struggled with a 5-7 record and missed bowl eligibility. The Horned Frogs are aiming for a rebound season, spearheaded by top receiver Savion Williams, who had 573 receiving yards last season. “He’s shown consistency, which hasn’t always been the case,” Dykes noted. “He has the talent to deliver big plays regularly.”

Williams, at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, opted to return for another season rather than entering the NFL draft, seeking more experience. “I felt I needed another year,” Williams explained. “I wasn’t getting as many targets as I needed last season.”

Quarterback Josh Hoover, who will be passing to Williams, has proven himself under pressure, throwing for over 300 yards in each of his last four starts, including a 412-yard performance against Baylor.

Stanford begins its first season in the ACC after three straight 3-9 records in the Pac-12. The Cardinal are still choosing a starting quarterback from Ashton Daniels, Justin Lamson, and freshman Elijah Brown. “We’re confident in all three quarterbacks,” Taylor, also the quarterbacks coach, said. Daniels passed for 2,247 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and rushed for 292 yards, while Lamson led the Pac-12 with 334 rushing yards among quarterbacks.