Nov 10, 2012; Palo Alto, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan (8) looks down field for a receiver during the first quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE

The Stanford Cardinal won their fourth game in a row, defeating the No. 14-ranked Oregon State Beavers on Saturday.

The Cardinal came to play, especially Kevin Hogan who appears to be the long-term answer under center, remaining undefeated at home in 2012.

Stanford started out strong, as Stepfan Taylor followed a Ryan Hewitt touchdown reception with a one-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Cardinal up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Oregon State surged in the second quarter, however. Terron Ward punched in a seven-yard touchdown run, and Trevor Romaine’s 19-yard field goal cut the Stanford lead to 14-10.

The Beavers stayed hot in the second half, as Markus Wheaton hauled in a 22-yard Cody Vaz pass to take their first lead of the game. Two more field goals by Romaine extended their lead to 23-14.

However, the Cardinal answered quickly in the form of a beautiful 40-yard touchdown reception by Taylor from Kevin Hogan.

The only points in the fourth quarter came with five minutes left in the game. The ever-reliable tight end Zach Ertz caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Hogan, and the Cardinal held on to their 27-23 lead to win.

Stanford must be encouraged by Hogan’s performance. With Josh Nunes struggling to get comfortable early in the season, Hogan stepped up, completing 22-29 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns.

Once again, the Cardinal’s front seven was stellar, allowing only 86 yards on the ground today.

Stanford will try not to get complacent after this big win, as they travel to Eugene, Oregon next Saturday to take on the No. 3-ranked Oregon Ducks.