Many happy returns for Stanford, but not enough points

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PULLMAN, Wash. — Stanford had a terrific day on kickoff returns, especially Cameron Scarlett. Unfortunately for the Cardinal, they squandered almost all that choice field position.

Dorian Maddox started the game with a 46-yard return to the Washington State 49. The Cardinal went three-and-out.

Then Scarlett took over, taking four returns a total of 127 yards. On his second return, he went 32 yards to the Stanford 34. After two first downs, the Cardinal were forced to punt.

In the third quarter, they took advantage of the head start Scarlett gave them with a 30-yard return to their 40. K.J. Costello finished off a 70-yard drive with a touchdown run.

But in the fourth quarter, just after Scarlett gave them life with a 47-yard return, they again went three-and-out.

Still short of Pop: The defeat left head coach David Shaw one win shy of Pop Warner’s school record of 71 wins. Warner had a 71-17-8 record from 1924-32. Shaw’s seven-year record is 70-20.

Back to snow after 81 years: It was Stanford’s first game played at least partly in snow since it played Columbia in 1936 at New York’s Polo Grounds. It lost that one too, 7-0.

Little injured: Stanford lost starting left tackle Walker Little to an injury in the second quarter. He walked off the field slowly and was replaced by Devery Hamilton for the rest of the game.

Top duo: Safety Justin Reid and lineman Harrison Phillips led Stanford with seven tackles each. Phillips also had two tackles for loss and a sack.

“Luke Falk is an amazing competitor,” Phillips said of the WSU quarterback, who had been yanked last week in favor of Tyler Hilinski. “He wasn’t playing like he was competing (for a job). He was playing like he was the guy. He commanded the pocket and made the throws he needed to make.”

No Holder: Stanford was without starting cornerback Alijah Holder, out for the season with an apparent knee injury. “That’s my best friend, and it hurt not having him on the field,” linebacker Bobby Okereke said. Alameen Murphy, who replaced Holder, had six tackles.

Tom FitzGerald is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.