Stanford punter Jake Bailey shows his worth in season opener

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Jake Bailey is expected to be one of the nation’s best punters this season. The Stanford senior showed why in the second quarter of the season opener at Stanford Stadium on Friday night.

He boomed a 63-yarder that went out of bounds on the San Diego State 1-yard line.

The play led to Stanford’s first points of the season, on a safety. Aztecs quarterback Christian Chapman was called for intentional grounding when he tried to shovel a pass out of the end zone as he was tackled by linebacker Bobby Okereke.

Bailey was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection last year after averaging a conference-high 45.5 yards per punt, seventh nationally. Additionally he booted 58 of his 83 kickoffs for touchbacks.

Quick turnovers: Late in the first half, Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello’s pass was tipped by linebacker Andrew Aleki and intercepted by tackle Noble Hall. But Hall fumbled when he was hit by wide receiver Trent Irwin, who recovered his fumble.

Three plays later, Costello hit JJ Arcega-Whiteside for a touchdown.

Stanford Cardinal linebacker Bobby Okereke (20) tackles San Diego State Aztecs quarterback Christian Chapman (10) as he throws an incomplete pass during an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Stanford, Calif. less Stanford Cardinal linebacker Bobby Okereke (20) tackles San Diego State Aztecs quarterback Christian Chapman (10) as he throws an incomplete pass during an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium, Friday, Aug. ... more Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Stanford punter Jake Bailey shows his worth in season opener 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Injury report: Stanford was without six key performers because of injuries, including two starters, center Jesse Burkett and cornerback Alijah Holder. Also missing were cornerback Malik Antoine, safety Brandon Simmons and linebackers Curtis Robinson and Jordan Perez.

Redshirt freshman Drew Dalman started in place of Burkett and Alameen Murphy in place of Holder. …

The right stuff: Michael Williams and Dylan Jackson combined to stuff Juwan Washington on a 4th-and-1 play moments into the fourth quarter. The defensive stop on the Stanford 32 set up a touchdown drive by the Cardinal.

Briefly: The Cardinal won their 11th straight home opener, and they are 15-0 at home under David Shaw against nonconference opponents. … Jet Toner missed his first field goal try of the season. His 38-yarder was wide left on Stanford’s first possession. ... Freshman Thomas Booker recorded his first sack for the Cardinal. ... Stanford and San Diego State are the only football teams in California — college or pro — to advance to postseason play in each of the previous eight seasons. … Former Cardinal defensive end Solomon Thomas, now with the 49ers, served as honorary captain.

Tom FitzGerald is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.