In what was forecast as “The year of Love”, the Stanford D has shown their opponents none thus far in ’18, giving up an average of only 7.67 points per game in their first three contests. Worth noting, that defensive average would be an even stingier 5.33 points per, if UC Davis had not completed a somewhat meaningless Hail Mary that pinballed off several players as time expired. It is what it is, I’m just sayin’.
In terms of the defensive stat lines, they are not as gaudy as they usually would be in a win such as this, but even that fact is a testament to the overall Cardinal performance. The Aggies (2-1), who came in to the game ranked #21 in the FCS, simply could not manage to sustain drives against the #7 Cardinal (3-0). Likewise, after two early turnovers the Stanford offense possessed the ball efficiently and controlled the clock, without the help of All-World running back Bryce Love who did not suit up.
“Dr. Love” appeared to be fine though , both encouraging his teammates wholeheartedly from the sideline, and then keeping it light with them once it became appropriate. In any case, giving “The Doctor” some well deserved rest before a big trip to Autzen cannot be a bad thing.
The highly touted Cardinal secondary again shutdown the opposing passing attack. So much so, that both teams switched to back-up players for what was nearly the entire 4th quarter, in order to allow younger players game experience. Again, it was 30-3 until that last crazy play.
In the defensive backfield seniors Alijah Holder (7 tackles / 4 PD) and Alameen Murphy (7 tackles / 1 INT / 1 PD), along with super sophomore Paulson Adebo (4 tackles / 4 PD / 1 TFL), took away the Davis passing lanes with their collective blanket coverage. On the few plays that it was necessary, they were equally effective in helping stop the run.
Stanford senior linebackers Joey Alfieri (4 tackles / 1 QBH / 1 PD), Casey Toohill (4 tackles / 2 PD / 1 QBH), and Mustafa Branch (6 tackles / 2 PD) took care of that for the most part, while up front senior defensive end Dylan Jackson (6 tackles / 1 QBH) and junior defensive tackle Michael Williams (4 tackles / 1 TFL / 1 QBH) both owned the trenches for The Card.
Offensively, junior quarterback K.J. Costello (17 for 30 passing / 214 yards / 2 TD’s / 2 INT) got off to a slow start with two 1st half interceptions, but showed veteran composure in rebounding as the game progressed. It’s not how you start, but how you finish that truly matters on the football field, and Stanford lived that lesson on Saturday.
Cardinal senior wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (3 receptions / 36 yards / 2 TD’s / 12.0 YPR) remained ‘Red Hot’, catching two more touchdowns in front of the Stanford faithful. That gives him 5 TD’s in 3 games so far in 2018, and though he is a wideout, NFL scouts are officially salivating over his ‘Antonio Gates-like’ skillset. Along with a competitive basketball background like Gates, Arcega-Whiteside has tremendous hands, a large frame that he uses well, and furthermore possesses the innate ability to come up with tough catches in heavy traffic.
In the absence of “Dr. Love”, junior tailback Trevor Speights (11 carries / 87 yards / 7.9 YPC / 101 all-purpose yards) saw most of the work for Stanford, and was a reliable resource. Senior RB Cameron Scarlett (9 carries / 30 yards / 1 TD / 3.3 YPC) also provided a quality presence in the backfield for the Cardinal.
As I previously referenced, #7 Stanford (3-0) travels north to play on the road at #20 Oregon (3-0) this Saturday, in a PAC-12 game that is sure to have post-season implications. Believe me fine folks, if you are a football fan, you will not want to miss it.
Win or lose, Roll Red.
Comments
i am terrified of the next 2 weeks after the davis performance
if not the whole season
By hutre67 on 09.17.18 8:57pm
Reasons for optimism
1) The defense looks good and should keep us in most games going forward.
2) Oregon has played nobody and looked shaky against a weak SJSU team that was beaten by UC Davis this year.
3) Notre Dame struggled against Vanderbilt at home and barely escaped with a W.
4) I don’t think Shaw has shown all his cards yet, so there could be some positive surprises on offense in the next few games.
5) Bryce Love will be back for the Oregon game.
Yes, Stanford’s performance against UC Davis was anything but awe-inspiring. But it is comforting to know that other teams have issues, as well. If you venture over to ATQ, you will find many Duck fans nervous about Stanford’s visit to Autzen stadium this Saturday. They know this will be the first real game of the season. Notre Dame fans are also worrying about the state of their football program after their performance last week. Think how much more terrified you would be if you were a UCLA or USC fan at this stage of the season. Their fan boards are just full of wailing and gnashing of teeth.
By Jeff Tarnungus on 09.17.18 11:35pm
More comments on the...
…uniforms than we have comments on anything!
Haven’t watched one minute of footage on the Schmucks, but after reading a thread or two, our defense does, in fact, give me hope. Just would really like to think Shaw has a previously unseen, killer run-blocking scheme to lay on them…
By Plan Man on 09.18.18 5:43am
Jeff, as always, you knocked it out of the park. Oregon and Notre Dame are both going to be fist fights, but I like Stanford's chances in both games.
Win or lose, Roll Red.
By Max McArthur on 09.18.18 9:48am
defense will probably keep stanford in, though i do have my fears of a high-octane ducks offense
but regardless, not sure offense will seal the deal. there’s like no run game. even with love, teams are stacking the box, and the o line isn’t doing any of the rb’s any favors. costello started out last week’s game with like a single digit qbr (according to kjsu commentary, iirc).
i’m not knowledgeable enough about football to know whether shaw’s general policies of hiding cards has actually paid any dividends throughout previous seasons?
oh, and it’s at autzen.
By hutre67 on 09.18.18 10:17am
These ducks aren't as formidable as the mariota ones
Herbert has looked shaky this season and has thrown a couple of picks. He started the last game 2/11 or something like that against a team that UC Davis beat. His receivers are not as talented this year and their running game had 3 yards per carry last game. So I’m not as concerned about the ducks offense and think this is going to be a defensive battle.
My biggest concern like everyone else is the O-Line and the penalties. Our offensive philosophy to be efficient on 1st downs and convert the 3rd downs to construct long time consuming drives. This year so far we have been very boom or bust on offense and relying heavily on chunk plays in the pass game.
By layman on 09.18.18 12:36pm
Those chunk plays...
…in the passing game should have opened up the run game a bit more. I’m hoping for Love in play action now; that little quick release slant that McCaffrey took 75 yards in the Rose Bowl, at the least so that defenses would have something more to think about, and at best that it pays big every now and then. Considering how much Shaw had him upping the ante on his pass blocking, it would not surprise me to see that one sprung on some unsuspecting fowls…
By Plan Man on 09.18.18 2:14pm
Agree
The Ducks really haven’t been tested; and their performance against SJSU was not impressive. If our defense shows up and our offense has even a B+ day, we should win by two TDs. I just hope Shaw doesn’t try to play an overly minimalist offense that the Ducks have had a chance to prepare for. It’s time to unleash the weapons and demonstrate the versatility of this offense. And, yes, I sure hope the O-line finally gets its act together: it is the linchpin of the Stanford identity.
By Jeff Tarnungus on 09.18.18 3:14pm
Winning Ugly
Brad Gilbert, a Bay Area product and former professional tennis player wrote a book titled, "Winning Ugly." The last game against UC Davis made me think of "winning ugly." The last quarter of that game was really ugly with every good run brought back by holding. Sure, these are not first stringers, but they are on scholarship too and expected to perform at a reasonably high level. And that pass UC Davis caught on the last play of the game was the ugliest TD I have seen in a long time. I hope the Card can win "pretty." this Saturday esp with the College Game Day folks on hand.
By farmboy2 on 09.18.18 4:23pm