Last week, I wrote about how I'd gone to two straight losses and how David Shaw needed to try putting K.J. Costello behind center, and I even said that if attended a third straight loss, I'd consider myself a jinx. However after K.J. Costello's game-changing performance, maybe my presence was more of a blessing.
Chryst was struggling to spark the offense against a weak UCLA defense, and things didn't look good for the him and the Cardinal early on. Specifically, Chryst missed a wide-open Donald Stewart in the red zone, so Stanford had to settle for a field goal.
At first, the offense looked like nothing had changed after San Diego State as they were sluggish and predictable. But then, Keller Chryst got drilled on a run, knocking him out of the game—and, as it turns out, probably the starting role.
Costello finally got his shot (after swapping a few series with Ryan Burns ), and he impressed. He extended plays, found open receivers, and more importantly, brought life to Stanford's struggling offense.
In my opinion, the biggest difference between Chryst and Costello was mobility. Time and time again, Chryst got pressured and sacked, partly due to some early offensive line woes, but partly due to Chryst not finding receivers quickly enough. Meanwhile, Costello was decisive on short passes and used his legs to escape defenders and even ran in a touchdown, bulldozing his way to the corner pylon.
Ultimately, Costello didn't set fire to the stat sheet, but he did bring another dimension to the offense. The Stanford passing attack had been a non-factor in the past two weeks, but Costello made the Bruins respect Stanford's passing game. He completed 13 of 19 passes, threw two touchdowns, and ended with a 94.2 QBR.
Lastly, there's no doubt that Costello's performance had an effect an many facets of the game. With a new and improved passing game, Stanford wasn't as predictable, and the UCLA defense couldn't stack the box, which allowed Bryce Love to collect an insane 263 rushing yards.
Yes, the Bruins' defense is pretty bad. They allowed almost fifty points against Texas A&M and Memphis, but you have to give credit where credit is due. Headed into the game Saturday, no one would've expected Stanford to score 58 points with Chryst at quarterback, and Costello clearly helped mobilize an offense that was in the doldrums.
So just how Kevin Hogan replaced Josh Nunes and Keller Chryst replaced Ryan Burns, it's now time for K.J. Costello to follow suit.
Comments
Has anyone heard rumblings about Shaw's decision on the starting QB going forward?
Any sane person would have to say that K.J. should get the nod, but looking for confirmation that Shaw sees it the same way.
By worldblee on 09.25.17 11:18am
Yeah, so far...
all I’ve read is that, should Chryst still be unavailable, a combo of KJ and Burns would be on the menu. Like chutney on a ribeye, that’s a combo best left OFF the menu, says I…
By Plan Man on 09.25.17 11:35am
I Saw The Same Comment
It looked like kind of spurious reporting but, nonetheless, pretty disappointing for two reasons:
1. A combo of Costello/Burns if Chryst is hurt is stupid – unless it is one or two wildcat plays (which are also stupid but I could live with two snaps to Burns as long as they are not drive and momentum killing which they probably would be)
2. Does this imply that Chryst is the man if he is healthy?
For the moment, I am writing this off to Shaw basically not publicly committing to anything.
There is no reason for him to say anything anyway……………uncertainty makes it harder for ASU to prep for the game.
By hoyaparanoia on 09.25.17 12:02pm
"There is no reason for him to say anything anyway……………uncertainty makes it harder for ASU to prep for the game."
That’ll work for me…
By Plan Man on 09.25.17 12:23pm
Good for strategic purposes..
Unfortunately that also means leaving us fans in the dark, and making me worry all week that Shaw will actually trot out Chryst on Saturday over Costello, or even worse – literally giving Burns half of the offensive series to split with Costello!
Will just need to wait and see I guess..
By ColtsButter on 09.25.17 2:04pm
Costello is the QB
If Shaw has any interest in the destiny of the team this season and his own reputation, he will stick with the catalyst that got him 58 points last weekend. Or is he a masochist?
By Jeff Tarnungus on 09.25.17 2:00pm
Or A Masochryst...Suffering From Self Inflicted Burns?
Costello has to start but for Shaw it will not be an easy decision. If we can put up points like we did against UCLA, we have a shot against anyone in the conference.
By hoyaparanoia on 09.25.17 3:56pm
Two things:
1) Wait for the depth chart to come out end week. If Chryst is on it, then woe to us. He’ll start, and KJ will go in when the game is out of reach. "Obdurate" is the word of the week.
2) KJ’s stats were OUTSTANDING. 68% completion rate, 3 TDs, 94+ QBR (third nationally on the week; see ESPN). The thing lacking was YAC by the receivers – almost none. Additionally, had he taken a couple of those zone reads for himself, he would have gained a ton of yards. There is one play where Love scores on a long run from the left; KJ nearly keeps stride with him running down the field. The kid has wheels.
By jafco99 on 09.25.17 8:40pm