Stanford QB drops ball, picks it up, runs in for easy TD

Samantha Pell
Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello dropped the ball, picked it up and ran in for a 22-yard touchdown. (FOX)
Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello dropped the ball, picked it up and ran in for a 22-yard touchdown. (FOX)

Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello used the football like a basketball Saturday and well, it worked.

Trailing 17-7 against No. 25 Washington State in Pullman, the Cardinal drove down to the Cougars’ 14-yard line with just over 6:30 left in the third quarter. Stepping back in the pocket, Costello was surveying the field as he appeared to pump his arm forward in a potential passing motion, but his hands failed him, with the ball slipping out of his grasp.

But after the ball fell to the ground, it bounced right back up into Costello’s waiting hands.

So, Costello did what any good quarterback would do and took off, going untouched for a 22-yard touchdown run as the Cardinal cut WSU’s lead down to three points, 17-14, with 6:30 left in the third quarter.

The officials called it a touchdown on the field and after reviewing the play, stood by their initial decision.

Costello was making his second start this season, after Stanford coach David Shaw announced Thursday he would be making the start over junior Keller Chryst, who started the past 13 of 14 games for the Cardinal.

The play was already part of a wild game between WSU and Stanford. Earlier, a fan decided to run onto the field after a WSU touchdown and pull his pants down. It was also snowing. And it’s Dad’s weekend. So Pullman is being extra Pullman-like today.