Andrew Luck Lets Physics Take Over on 58-Yard Run

by Scott Allen on Nov 22, 2025 7:49 AM PST

Surely, you've seen the video of the defining moment of the 113th Big Game. If you haven't, do yourself a favor.

Andrew Luck described his collision with Cal safety Sean Cattouse, who's more accustomed to delivering big hits than receiving them, after the game:

"I didn’t really get a good look at him before we came together. I just hit him and let physics take over."

Physics is a beautiful thing. Hit the jump for a frame-by-frame look, with commentary.

"In my head, I was thinking, 'Someone's got to be coming from somewhere.' I'm a slow quarterback and I'd been running for a while," Luck told SI.com's Stewart Mandel.

That someone was Cattouse, from Luck's left.

"He came in high on me, and I guess at that point momentum and inertia took over," Luck said.

BOOM.

As @Luck4Heisman remarked, "Is there a stiff elbow trophy?"

"I don't remember looking at him," Luck said. "I was just stunned I was still on my feet."

On his feet and about to run for another 20 yards.

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Read More: Stanford Cardinal, Stanford Cardinal at California Golden Bears, Nov 20, 2025 12:30 PM PST

Comments

I could watch that another 50 times.

About as many times as I’ve watched the USC hit by Luck…please god, let there be an NFL lockout.

by sixthman on Nov 22, 2025 8:09 AM PST reply actions

As physics was my major at Stanford ...

I can tell you it’s not all about mass. Kinetic energy is proportional to velocity squared as well as mass. Even more important are things like leverage and having your feet planted.

Luck’s feet were planted, so his muscles could push against the ground to absorb the energy of Cattouse without moving Luck. You can see from the pictures of Cattouse that his feet were not planted. He launched himself against the upper half of Luck, a technique that might work if you’re blindsiding someone who’s already off balance, but not someone who’s ready for you.

I think this is more about psychology than physics. Cattouse underestimated what it would take to bring down Luck just as Cal players and fans have been underestimating Stanford all year. I suppose it’s a basic principle of sports and life. No one wins just by showing up.

by playingwithinmyself on Nov 22, 2025 8:56 AM PST reply actions