Maryland vs. Stanford: Score and Twitter Reaction for 2014 Foster Farms Bowl

Many wondered if Stanford, a BCS Bowl participant in the previous four seasons, would lack motivation against Maryland in the Foster Farms Bowl. 

David Shaw clearly wouldn't let that happen. 

Playing inside a cold, windy, mostly empty Levi's Stadium, the Cardinal dominated every phase of the game Tuesday night, rolling to an easy 45-21 victory.

It was a comprehensive effort from Stanford, which led by 21 at halftime and out-gained Maryland, 414-222. 

Kevin Hogan put an impressive exclamation mark on an inconsistent season, completing 14-of-20 throws for 189 yards and two touchdowns to win MVP in a little over three quarters of work, while seniors Remound Wright (49 rushing yards, three touchdowns) and Devon Cajuste (four receptions, 47 yards, two touchdowns) enjoyed memorable swan songs. 

Cardinal announcer Todd Husak noted Hogan's new standing in school history:

Stanford set the tone with its first drive of the game. Using a healthy mix of efficient passes and powerful runs, the Cardinal marched 75 yards on 12 plays, taking up nearly seven minutes of the clock before Wright punched it into the end zone from a yard out. 

That quickly turned into a theme. Stanford had four more possessions in the first half (not counting a final-second kneel-down). Three of them went for touchdowns, and two of them ended with short runs from Wright. 

It would appear Santa came to the Cardinal this year:

As Stanford jumped out to a 28-7 lead at halftime, much of the offensive attack was vintage, physical Stanford. But Christian McCaffrey provided a new, extra dynamic. 

The true freshman was featured in a variety of ways—punt returner, running back, wide receiver, wildcat quarterback—and showed off an electrifying skill set. On one particular play, he took a swing pass to the right, broke a tackle, reversed the ball all the way to the other side of the field and followed Hogan for a 22-yard gain. 

That drew immense praise from Seattle-area radio host Jason Puckett:

McCaffrey, the son of former NFL wide receiver Ed, finished with 12 touches and 138 all-purpose yards. 

Of course, the passing game wasn't to be out-done. Despite the poor weather conditions, Hogan was razor sharp for much of the contest, moving the ball in clinical fashion and firing a pair of touchdowns to Cajuste. 

ESPN provided a look at the second, which made it 35-7:

With Stanford's defense absolutely dominating on the other side of the ball, that was beyond an insurmountable lead. 

Stefon Diggs had 10 catches for 138 yards and William Likely added a late 100-yard kick return to serve as bright spots for the Terrapins:

But it was far too little and far too late, as Stanford removed most of its starters early in the fourth quarter and rolled to a victory. 

While it wasn't an ideal season for Stanford, its late-season performances undoubtedly provide room for optimism. If Hogan returns (he is a senior academically but has one year of football eligibility remaining) and joins talented young playmakers like McCaffrey and Austin Hooper, the Cardinal will once again be in the conversation as contenders in the Pac-12 North. 

Randy Edsall and Maryland's climb in the Big Ten, though, is going to take a bit longer.