Halfway through the regular season, the Stanford Cardinal football team has absorbed a lot of punches, but continues to stand tall through adversity.
Despite starting with the toughest six-game stretch in college football and losing 10 key contributors from its two-deep depth chart — five for the season — Stanford (3-3, 2-2 Pac-12) has remained resilient and played its best game of the year last week by upsetting No. 15 Washington.
“This offseason, something that we trained for is reacting to adversity,” said junior outside linebacker Gabe Reid, who secured six tackles and a sack in his first career start. “From weightlifting to conditioning is something that the strength and conditioning staff really drills into our head. Whatever happens, you have to react. It’s not about the past but just moving forward and being able to react to tough situations.”
Each Monday, the team captains — senior free safety Malik Antoine, senior quarterback K.J. Costello, junior tight end Colby Parkinson, fifth-year senior running back Cameron Scarlett and fifth-year senior outside linebacker Casey Toohill — conduct a players-only meeting to review the previous game and prepare for the next opponent.
“I think that’s really helped our team grow together,” said sophomore wide receiver Simi Fehoko, who caught his first touchdown as a Cardinal against Washington. “Everybody on the team has a voice. It’s really helped us grow closer and I feel like it’s helped our chemistry.”
After emerging with a hard-fought victory at Oregon State two weeks ago, Stanford coaches and players agreed the squad needed to increase its toughness and intensity.
“We talked about the entire team playing with an edge,” Fehoko said. “We need to be the aggressor and attack the guy across the ball from us. We kind of took that to heart.”
Stanford set the tempo against Washington and never let up in the 23-13 triumph. After going 5-of-5 for 56 yards and a touchdown on the first drive, Husky quarterback Jacob Eason was just 11-of-31 for 150 yards in the last 49:31. Washington ran 18 times for only 77 yards after its first series and was 1-for-11 on third down conversions.
“Winning last week was very big for our confidence and building momentum,” said Reid. “We pride ourselves in how we play and felt like maybe the first quarter of the season didn’t really reflect our true potential. We’re looking forward to proving what a great defensive team we are.”
QUARTERBACK UPDATE
David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football, is uncertain who will start at quarterback in next Thursday’s 6 p.m. home game against UCLA. Costello, who has missed the last two games due to injury, is questionable and day-to-day, while junior Davis Mills, who has led Stanford to consecutive victories against Oregon State and Washington, is questionable.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Sophomore Jack West, who replaced Mills in the fourth quarter against the Huskies, is expected to take most of the snaps in practice this week and could earn his first career start against the Bruins.
“Jack West can do everything in this offense,” said Shaw. “If he has to play against UCLA, he’ll go out there and play well.”
RECOGNIZED PLAYERS
Junior cornerback Paulson Adebo, junior center Drew Dalman and Fehoko earned conference recognition this week for their performances against Washington. Adebo had five tackles and four pass breakups in what Shaw called his best showing of the season and was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week; Dalman anchored a unit that helped the Cardinal produce 482 total yards and grind out 23 first downs, and was selected Pac-12 Offensive Line Player of the Week; and Fehoko caught three passes for 91 yards, including a 42-yard scoring grab, and recovered a fumble, and was chosen Pac-12 Freshman of the Week.
Fehoko, who served a two-year LDS mission in Seoul, South Korea, appeared in four games last season but retained his year of eligibility due to the new NCAA redshirt rule.
“I was kind of surprised for a second,” Fehoko said after learning about his award. “I’m a 22-year-old freshman. I was super-excited and honored.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
INJURY LIST
Stanford is down to seven healthy offensive linemen after losing guard Henry Hattis to a season-ending injury against Washington. As it stands, juniors Dalman and Foster Sarell will start at center and right tackle, respectively, against the Bruins. They will likely be joined by true freshman Walter Rouse, who has started the last five games at left tackle; true freshman Barrett Miller, who made his first start at left guard against Washington; and true freshman Jake Hornibrook, who stepped in for Hattis and played well in his first college game.
“It changes practice significantly,” said Shaw. “We have to be more intentional about every single rep.”
Shaw and his staff have several contingency plans if someone else goes down.
“We’ve had conservations every week,” Shaw said. “It’s just where we are.”
Shaw is optimistic senior tackle/guard Devery Hamilton will return at some point.
While he didn’t expect his young linemen to play such big roles this season, Shaw has been impressed by their work ethic and steady improvement.
“It’s been fun to watch,” Shaw said. “We thought we were going to watch it happen in practice; we just happen to be watching it during games. Every day is a new learning experience.”
FINE FISK
Junior tight end Tucker Fisk made his second reception of the season against the Huskies, nearly scoring on a 16-yard throw from Mills. Shaw praised Fisk’s toughness and versatility.
“There’s a reason why that sideline was excited when he caught that ball and broke a couple tackles,” Shaw said. “Most of the team has seen his high school highlights and that’s all over his highlights. He’s 270 pounds and an athlete, so when he catches the ball, he’s hard to bring down.”
Fisk played at Davis High (Davis, Calif.), where he snared 92 career passes and collected 155 tackles. His father, Jason, was a standout defensive lineman at Stanford and played 12 seasons in the NFL.
NOTES
Shaw will reduce practices by 30 minutes this week to allow his players to heal and rest … UCLA (1-5, 1-2 Pac-12) also has a bye this week. UCLA’s lone win was a come-from-behind 67-63 upset at Washington State last month … ESPN will televise the Stanford-UCLA game … Junior wide receiver Connor Wedington ranks No. 1 in the conference in kickoff returns (28.1) and No. 7 in all-purpose yards (112.8) … Adebo ranks No. 2 in the Pac-12 in passes defended (10) … Scarlett ranks No. 3 in the league in rushing (94.0) and No. 5 in all-purpose yards (117.0) … Toohill ranks second in the conference in sacks (4) and fourth in tackles for loss (6) … Stanford ranks No. 1 in the Pac-12 in kickoff coverage.
QUOTE
“He’s got a corner’s mentality. If a guy catches the ball, you just forget about it and come back and be aggressive the next play.” — Shaw on the development of freshman Kyu Blu Kelly
Frank Manumaleuga, the one of the finest linebackers to play for the San Jose State football team in the 1970’s, is one of 10 finalists for induction into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
Manumaleuna played for the Spartans during the 1977 and 1978 seasons and was coached by Lynn Stiles. The two-time All-America was an honorable mention choice in 1977 and a third-team Associated Press honoree in 1978.
The three-sport, 245-pound athlete also was a member of the Spartan basketball and track and field teams.
Manumaleuga began his college career at UCLA. According to then head coach and San Jose State legend Dick Vermeil, “… (he) had more instinctive ability than any linebacker I’ve ever evaluated.”
Manumaleuga still holds the San Jose State single-game record for most tackles in a game with 27 against Colorado in 1978.
Manumaleuga was the Kansas City Chiefs’ fourth-round draft choice in 1979, the 85th overall selection in that year’s draft. Manumaleuga played three seasons for the Chiefs, and three seasons in the United States Football League (USFL) for the Oakland Invaders and Portland Breakers.
“Special thanks to our outstanding Selection Committee, who has once again put forward an outstanding group of Finalists for the Class of 2020,” said Jack Thompson, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee Chairman. More than 100 players were nominated for Hall of Fame consideration. “This is quite a challenge because there are so many great Polynesian football players, coaches and contributors.”
“On behalf of our Board of Directors, we congratulate the Class of 2020 Finalists,” said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee. “Each of the finalists has made a significant impact on our community and the game of football.”
Four inductees will be announced on October 23, 2019. They will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend and during the Polynesian Bowl on January 17 & 18, 2020.
CLASS OF 2020 FINALISTS
1. Tony Banks (QB) Michigan State; Pro: NFL (STL, BAL, DAL, WAS, HOU) 11 years, Samoan ancestry
2. David Dixon (G) Arizona State; Pro: (MIN) 13 years, Maori ancestry
3. Malcom Floyd (WR) Wyoming; Pro (SAN) 10 years, Samoan ancestry
4. Chris Kemoeatu (G) Utah; Pro (PIT) 7 years, Tongan ancestry
5. Frank Manumaleuga (LB) San Jose State; Pro (KC) 3 years, Samoan ancestry
6. Haloti Ngata (DT) Oregon; Pro (BAL, DET, PHI) 13 years, Tongan ancestry
7. Alapati “Al” Noga (DL) Hawai’i; Pro: NFL (MIN, WAS, IND) 7 years, Samoan ancestry
8. Falaniko “Niko” Noga (LB) Hawai’i; Pro: NFL (AZ, DET) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
9. Dominic Raiola (C) Nebraska; Pro: NFL (DET) 14 years, Hawaiian ancestry
10. Charlie Wedemeyer; Former Head Football Coach, Los Gatos High School (CA), Hawaiian ancestry
ABOUT THE POLYNESIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center (O`ahu) and was established in 2013.
The awards continue for San Jose State placekicker Matt Mercurio.
After being named the Mountain West “Special Teams Player of the Week” on Monday, October 7, the redshirt freshman from Salinas, Calif., was named one of the three Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award “Stars of the Week” for his contribution in San Jose State’s 32-21 victory over New Mexico on Friday, October 4.
The graduate of Palma High tied a San Jose State single-game school record with four field goals and accounted for the Spartans’ last 12 points in the game after taking a 20-0 second-quarter lead.
Mercurio connected on field goals of 24, 33, a career-long 49, and a second of 24 yards as San Jose State improved its season record to 3-2, 1-1 in the Mountain West.
For the season, Mercurio is 7-of-10 kicking field goals and is San Jose State’s leading scorer with 36 points.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose State football earned its first Mountain West win of the season by downing the New Mexico Lobos 32-21. Now, San Jose State heads out on the road to look for a two-game win streak with another MW win over the Nevada Wolf Pack.
Here’s the lowdown on the San Jose State-Nevada game:
GAME #6
San Jose State at Nevada
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Mackay Stadium, Reno, Nev.
1:00 p.m. PT
AT&T SportsNet/Mountain West Network
SAN JOSE STATE RECORD
3-2, 1-1 Mountain West.
NEVADA RECORD
3-2, 0-1 Mountain West. The Wolf Pack lost to Hawaii, 54-3, on September 29. Nevada had a bye the week of October 5.
RADIO COVERAGE
KKSF (910 AM, Oakland), RealTalk 910, is the new flagship radio station for San Jose State football. Justin Allegri calls the play-by-play. Kevin Richardson provides commentary. The Nevada broadcast begins at 12:30 p.m. PT with a pregame show.
The San Jose State-Nevada broadcast with Justin Allegri and Kevin Richardson calling the action also will be carried on www.siriusxm.com Channel 981.
KSJS (90.5 FM, San Jose) also will broadcast the San Jose State-Nevada game starting with Ryan Carlson handling all duties starting at 12:45 p.m. PT.
TELEVISION
AT&T Sports Network will provide broadcast coverage beginning at 1:00 p.m. PT. Drew Goodman calls the play-by-play. Sed Bonner provides commentary. AT&T Sports Network is available on DirecTV Channel 684, and DISH Network Channel 414.
SERIES HISTORY
Nevada leads the series, 21-9-2. The Wolf Pack have won the last two games and nine of the last 11 in a series that dates back to 1899. A year ago, Nevada posted a 21-12 triumph over San Jose State.
San Jose State’s last win in the series was a 14-10 win in CEFCU Stadium on October 15, 2016.
The Spartans are winless in their last eight trips to Mackay Stadium in Reno. San Jose State’s last win there was a 49-30 decision on October 21, 2000.
ON THE MINDS
San Jose State can finish the weekend of October 12 with a 4-2 overall win-loss record for the first time since 2012 with a win at Nevada. Since then, the Spartans’ best win-loss record after six games was 3-3 in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
STAKES ARE HIGH
This game gives San Jose State its first opportunity since the 2015 season to be 2-1 in Mountain West action after three games and to win a conference road game since the November 26, 2016 triumph at Fresno State, 16-14. Since the win in Fresno, the Spartans returned to San Jose with a conference loss in nine consecutive contests — four in 2017, four in 2018 and earlier this season at Air Force.
SEEKING A WIN STREAK
The Nevada game marks the third time this season San Jose State can notch its first two-game winning streak since defeating UNLV, 33-10, on October 4, and winning at Wyoming, 27-20 in overtime, on October 18, 2014.
NATIONAL LEADER IN TURNOVER MARGIN
A point of emphasis for this year’s San Jose State team is finishing in the top-25 in turnover margin.
After six games, San Jose State is the national in turnover margin at +11 or 2.2 per game in games played through October 5. The Spartans have 11 interceptions, which is second nationally, and four fumble recoveries. Florida, which has played six games, is the national leader with 12 interceptions.
For its first five games, San Jose State lost the ball four times on three fumbles and one pass interception. Through games of October 5, the Spartans are tied for eighth nationally in fewest times losing the ball.
POINTS OFF OF TURNOVERS
After five games, San Jose State has scored 37 points off of opponent turnovers compared to none by the opposition. The 37 points have come in the three Spartan wins this season — 14 vs. Northern Colorado, seven at Arkansas, and a season-high 16 against New Mexico.
The 16 points came in handy in the 11-point win over New Mexico and seven points was the difference in a 31-24 victory at Arkansas. San Jose State defeated Northern Colorado, 35-18.
BACK-TO-BACK WEEKS BLOCKING A KICK
If it’s a Friday, it must mean the San Jose State will execute a blocked kick. In the Friday, September 27 game at Air Force, linebacker Hadari Darden was credited with deflecting an Air Force extra-point attempt after a Falcons’ third-quarter touchdown.
On Friday, October 4 against New Mexico, wide receiver Bailey Gaither blocked a first-quarter punt for the second time in his career.
The Spartans enter the week tied for eighth nationally in blocked kicks with two.
While you’re on the site, check out the recent press releases on Josh Love and Matt Mercurio:
JOSH LOVE & MATT MERCURIO NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
For the second time in three weeks, two San Jose State players received Mountain West football’s Player of the Week honors.
Quarterback Josh Love was named the Mountain West “Offensive Player of the Week” for the second time this season and kicker Matt Mercurio was named the Mountain West “Special Teams Player of the Week.”
Love, a senior, completed 24-of-36 passes without an interception for a season-high 405 yards and two touchdowns in the Spartans’ 32-21 conference win over New Mexico on October 4. The signal caller received the same Mountain West honor after San Jose State defeated Arkansas, 31-24, on September 21.
Mercurio, a freshman, tied a San Jose State single game school record kicking four field goals in five attempts and converted two extra point tries in the win. He accounted for the team’s last 13 points with a PAT and field goals of 24, 33, a career-long 49, and a second 24-yard field goal.
JOSH LOVE NAMED TO DAVEY O’BRIEN AWARD GREAT 8 San Jose State’s Josh Love is one of eight FBS quarterbacks named to the Davey O’Brien Award’s Great 8 list for games played the week ending October 5.
Love completed 24-of-36 passes without an interception for a season-high 405 yards and two touchdowns in the Spartans’ 32-21 conference win over New Mexico on October 4.
The fifth-year senior is the first San Jose State quarterback recognized by the Davey O’Brien Award for weekly excellence at the position since David Fales during the 2013 season.
For the year, Love has completed 61.9 percent of his passes with only one interception for 1,418 yards and seven touchdowns.
The other seven quarterbacks recognized as the Davey O’Brien Award’s Great 8 for Week 6 include Ian Book, Notre Dame; Joe Burrow, LSU; Jett Duffey, Texas Tech; Sam Howell, North Carolina; Jake Luton, Oregon State; Brock Purdy, Iowa State; and Khalil Tate, Arizona.
The Davey O’Brien Award’s Quarterback of the Week from the Great 8 honorees will be announced on Tuesday, October 8.
Cameron Scarlett had a career-high rushing performance for Stanford on Saturday, but David Shaw’s best call against No. 15 Washington was inviting former Stanford two-sport star Tyler Gaffney to be the team’s honorary captain.
A slashing running back who got stronger as the game progressed and left everything on the field, Gaffney played with a swagger and enjoyed contact, dishing out as much as he received. As a senior in 2013, Gaffney rushed for 1,709 yards and 21 touchdowns.
“I wanted him up here,” said Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football, following the Cardinal’s inspiring 23-13 victory against the Huskies on Saturday. “This was going to be an attitude game and I couldn’t think of a better person to come talk to the team, and he was awesome.”
So was Stanford.
Seeking to play its first complete game of the season, the Cardinal (3-3, 2-2 Pac-12) put it together against heavily-favored Washington (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12), which had outscored its previous three opponents by a combined 72 points. Stanford was relentless and wouldn’t be denied on a crisp evening in front of a loud and appreciative home crowd.
Scarlett, a fifth-year senior running back, made Gaffney proud by rushing a career-high 33 times for a personal-best 151 yards. Scarlett carried on nine consecutive runs and picked up two first downs on the Cardinal’s final possession, eating up five of the last six minutes on the clock.
“I had a quick word with him,” said Scarlett, who met Gaffney during his recruiting process. “His message was there’s going to be adversity and nobody in the country thinks we’re going to win this game. The only thing that matters is that we know we have what it takes to win.”
Scarlett’s key block on a blitzing safety enabled junior quarterback Davis Mills to hit sophomore wide receiver Simi Fehoko in stride with a 42-yard scoring pass early in the second quarter to give Stanford a lead it never relinquished.
“Can’t say enough about where Cam Scarlett is right now,” said Shaw. “Just playing such great football.”
After eclipsing 90 yards in three of the first five games — twice finishing with 97 — Scarlett was elated to surpass the century mark.
“I was sick and tired of running for 90 yards,” Scarlett said.
Going after it
Defensively, Stanford limited Washington to 88 yards rushing and hounded Huskies quarterback Jacob Eason (16-of-36), sacking him twice and hurrying him six times. Washington was 2-of-12 on third down.
“These quarterbacks have big arms and it’s really important to get pressure on them,” said junior outside linebacker Gabe Reid, who collected six tackles and an 18-yard sack in his first career start of the season. “We worked hard to get into the pass rush and a big shout out to the DB’s as well for playing tight coverage and giving us a chance to get back there.”
Freshman cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly made his first collegiate interception early in the fourth quarter and added two pass breakups. Junior cornerback Paulson Adebo equaled his career high with four pass breakups and had five tackles.
The unit’s hard work and physical play hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“All the respect in the world to our defense,” junior center Drew Dalman said. “They’re playing their butts off right now and making plays when it counts.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Breaking out
Shaw knew it was only a matter of time before the speedy 6-foot-4, 226-pound Fehoko made a big contribution. He had two receptions entering the game but caught three for 91 yards and scored his first collegiate touchdown against the Huskies. Fehoko also recovered a Scarlett fumble in the third quarter.
“A lot of it had to do with the chemistry between Davis and me,” said Fehoko. “It’s been there for a while and it finally clicked.”
Tavita Pritchard, the Andrew Luck Director of Offense and Kevin M. Hogan Quarterbacks Coach, added the comeback and go route that Fehoko scored on earlier in the week.
“I knew it was up in the first 20 play calls and I was excited,” Fehoko said. “I got good reps against our scout team. On that play, I was kind of scared — I was focusing so hard on the ball. It was awesome.”
Mills sharp
Mills received his second straight start and third of the season in place of injured senior K.J. Costello and threw for a career-high 293 yards, connecting on 21-of-30 attempts. He also showed good mobility, running three times for 26 yards.
“Guys made plays for him and he continues to grow,” said Shaw. “I thought it was a great performance by him tonight.”
Mills left the game in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury and was replaced by sophomore Jack West, who received his first playing time of the season. With a two-score lead, Shaw kept the ball on the ground and burned the clock.
“Jack knows the game plan inside and out,” Shaw said. “We just weren’t going to put the ball in the air.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Fabulous freshmen
Stanford’s first-year players continue to impress. Walter Rouse and Barrett Miller started at left tackle and left guard, respectively, and were joined by Jake Hornibrook when senior right guard Henry Hattis went down midway through the third quarter.
“It was awesome being out on the field and playing football again with my guys and having fun,” said Hornibrook of his college debut. “It was a great experience.”
One of five highly touted first-year linemen, Hornibrook said the group has formed a special bond.
“We’re all in it together, just trying to get better,” he said.
Dalman has been impressed by the contributions of the entire class, many thrust into early action due to injuries. In all, 14 true freshmen have played this season.
“It’s just a testament to a lot of our young guys that were out there to step up,” Dalman said.
Ball hogs: The Cardinal finished with a nearly 18-minute time of possession advantage and ran 16 more plays. Shaw, citing UCLA head coach Chip Kelley, said time of possession is a meaningless stat unless you score touchdowns.
“Still hate getting inside the five-yard line and kicking two field goals,” said Shaw. “That one is going to stick in my craw for a while because we fought so hard to get down there.”
Up next
Stanford has a bye next week and has 12 days to rest up and prepare for UCLA on October 17. It’ll be a Thursday night contest at Stanford Stadium and kickoff is at 6 p.m.
The Cardinal entertains Arizona on October 26 and doesn’t travel again until November 9 when it treks to Colorado. Start times haven’t been announced.
Theme game
Saturday was Breast Cancer Awareness Game. Stanford football student-athletes and coaches wore pink to draw awareness to breast cancer as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer survivors were honored throughout the game.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Notes
Washington was the highest-ranked foe Stanford has defeated since 2017, when it downed No. 9 Notre Dame … Scarlett’s 33 rushing attempts were the most by a Cardinal since Christian McCaffrey in 2015, when he carried 33 times against Oregon … Senior inside linebacker Curtis Robinson led Stanford with eight tackles … Sophomore wide receiver Michael Wilson (6) and junior wide receiver Connor Wedington (4) combined for 10 catches for the Cardinal … Washington had forced three turnovers in each of its last three games, converting six into touchdowns. However, Stanford committed zero turnovers … Senior Jet Toner converted all three field goal attempts to move past Rod Garcia into sixth place on Stanford’s career list for makes with 46 … Ken Margerum, a consensus All-America wide receiver for Stanford in 1979 and 1980, was recognized as part of the program’s 125-year celebration of Stanford football.
Quote
“We definitely left meat on the bone and know we can get better. Good to see us make progress and take another step in the right direction.” — Junior center Drew Dalman
photo from albuquerquejournal.com: New Mexico’s Jordan Kress (9) catches a TD pass from Sheriron Jones on Friday night against host San Jose State. RON FRIED/SAN JOSE STATE ATHLETICS.
On the NCAAF podcast with Michelle:
#1 Michelle, we wanted to lead off asking you about your old alumnus, University of New Mexico, Lobos (2-3) struggled in the second quarter of their game against the San Jose State Spartans (3-2) the Lobos defense couldn’t stop the Spartans run and San Jose ended up getting 20 points, which gave the Lobos too much of a deficit to come back from.
#2 The Michigan Wolverines (4-1) are ranked #19 and they played Iowa (4-1), who are ranked #14 and hung on to win 10-3. Despite their rank, Michigan should be a higher ranked team and were expected to come out of the shoot to start the season.
#3 LSU (5-0) left very little doubt with their 42-6 against Utah State (3-2) and LSU quarterback Joe Burrow left very little doubt that LSU would dominate this one with five touchdowns, 27-38 and 344 yards.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — This Friday night looked very similar to last Friday night. San Jose State was looking for their first conference win of the season. The only difference? They defeated conference foe New Mexico at CEFCU Stadium.
The Spartans, who were battle ready, had the ball to start the game versus the Lobos.
The Spartans opened the scoring, thanks to Nick Nash. Nash ran for a 9-yard rushing touchdown — his third of the season — to put San Jose State up 6-0 with 6:50 left in the first quarter. Matt Mercurio attempted the extra point, but it was blocked by De’John Rogers.
The Spartans led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter. San Jose State football was greeted by the San Jose State men’s basketball team, who made a brief appearance on the home field.
— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) October 5, 2019
The Spartans took a 13-0 lead when Josh Love threw a pass to Billy Humphreys for the 5-yard passing touchdown at 12:56 of the second quarter. Mercurio kicked in the extra point.
Love threw another pass to Bailey Gaither for the 80-yard passing touchdown with 8:42 left in the second quarter. Mercurio kicked in the extra point. The Spartans took a 20-0 lead.
Mercurio kicked in a 24-yard field goal to extend the Spartans’ lead to 23-0 with 6:57 left in the second quarter.
Mercurio continued to shine with back-to-back field goals of 24 yards and 33 yards, respectively, in a span of 2:35 late in the fourth quarter. But Mercurio’s field goals were overshadowed by the Lobos’ first touchdown of the game. Sheriron Jones threw a pass to Jordan Kress for the 34-yard passing touchdown and Andrew Shelley kicked in the extra point to help New Mexico pull within 19 with 1:12 left in the second quarter.
The Spartans brought a 26-7 lead to the locker room at the halftime break.
The Spartan defense forced a red zone fumble to stop a Lobos drive and that was a notable third quarter play. However, New Mexico cut the Spartans’ lead to 26-14 with 3:11 left in the third quarter. Jones ran for a 4-yard rushing touchdown and Shelley kicked in the extra point.
The Spartans continued to lead 26-14 after the third quarter.
Mercurio kicked a 49-yard field goal to extend the Spartans’ lead to 29-14 at 12:47 of the fourth quarter. The field goal was Mercurio’s longest career field goal.
Mercurio added a 24-yard field goal to make it 32-14 Spartans with 6:16 left in the fourth quarter. With the field goal, Mercurio tied the single-game school record as the fourth player in Spartan history to do so.
But the Lobos made it an 11-point game with 4:52 left in the fourth quarter. Jones threw a pass to Cedric Patterson III for the 38-yard passing touchdown and Shelley kicked in the extra point.
The Spartans defeated the Lobos by a final score of 32-21. With the win, San Jose State picked up its first conference win of the season.
The Spartans (3-2, 1-1 Mountain West) take on the Nevada Wolf Pack (3-2, 0-1 Mountain West) on Saturday, October 12 at 1:00 p.m. Game will be broadcasted on ATSN.
Just days after buying his first car from money earned bussing tables, Connor Wedington headed north.
The 16-year-old football star at Sumner (Wash.) High School already put aside 10 percent of his earnings for charitable causes. On this day, Wedington took that money and bought $10 gift cards from Subway.
There were areas in Seattle the Wedingtons frequented in an attempt to look for ways to help whomever might need it. Those areas included The Jungle, west of Beacon Hill, known for its homeless encampments. Connor parked, got out of his car, and sought those who could use a meal.
Maybe he was naive for such a task. For as he turned into an alley, Connor interrupted a heroin addict just as he plunged a needle into his veins. As the man locked eyes with Wedington, the needle dangled from his arm.
Wedington turned around and hurriedly reversed his steps. When he returned to the street, he closed his eyes, took two deep breaths, and resumed his walk.
“It shook me,” Wedington said.
Wedington knew what life on the streets was like, but it was one thing to know, and another to see.
That moment never escaped Wedington’s thoughts. And, last spring, as he and friend Zaylan Jacobsen mobilized a homeless outreach from Stanford into weekly visits into San Francisco’s Tenderloin, Wedington recalled that moment as he prepared his teams for what they might encounter.
“This is what you’re getting into,“ Wedington said.
“I know,” they said.
“When you actually see it, it’s different,” Wedington cautioned.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Wedington is a junior wide receiver on the Cardinal football team and is majoring in science, technology, and society with a focus on innovation and organization. He was recognized among 22 named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, an honor for those who have made an impact in their communities. He has no unrealistic notion about the range of his impact, but the nonprofit organization, that he and Jacobsen created (and hope to continue) Hope Given By gave many temporary comfort.
Each winter quarter weekend when Wedington was freed of football duties, Hope Given By was brought to life by groups of Stanford students who ventured into places like shoot-up zones — the safe injection sites for drug users, where many of the homeless congregate.
With clothes and shoes donated by teammates and other students — and socks donated by a corporate partner –Wedington led them into a new world. The vital mission of Hope Given By was not the giving itself, but the creation of new relationships.
“We wanted something different about us,” Wedington said. “We would try to talk to them. I saw the value in authentic conversations.”
Connor and his older brother, Triston, always shared a heart for others.
“Christ is the example,” said his father Donovan Wedington. “He’s always been the example. There’s no one who’s ever done it better. Ever. And the boys know that.” Donovan purposefully taught his sons selflessness as a way to right his father’s past mistakes. An army brat, Donovan came from what he described as “trauma.”
Without a foundation of support, Donovan failed the second grade and felt like he was dumb.
“No one ever tried to help me,” Donovan said. “At all. No one. Even my family.”
“I started making my friends more important than school. I was more concerned about popularity and being cool, which you turn to if you don’t feel smart. There is nothing worse than feeling stupid. Nothing.”
Donovan was a good athlete who started on football teams. But because he moved so often — five elementary schools and three high schools — he never fully learned playbooks, meshed with his teammates, or met his potential.
After a marriage to Jenny and the birth of their two sons, Donovan fell into a partying lifestyle and left the family for more than a year. When he returned, his marriage had dissolved, but he was committed to a life without drugs and alcohol. He has been sober since 2002.
Donovan’s past, however, has determined his sons’ futures in education, athletics, and selflessness. All those things were deprived of him to some degree, but he has bestowed with passion on his sons. Both were placed in Kumon, a Japanese-influenced after-school math and reading program, and soon, they were advanced in math and trained to be great athletes. They’ve lived clean lifestyles and place faith as one of their highest priorities.
Donovan set the example by dropping what he was doing to help others. They routinely stopped on the side of the road to fix flat tires for strangers or bought ice cream for kids who couldn’t afford it on hot summer days.
“There’s nothing uglier than having a lot of stuff, and having nothing in your heart,” Donovan said.
When Connor was five, the family was in North Carolina on their way south to Myrtle Beach when an ambulance pulled into the roadway and collided with a passenger car, causing it to flip three times before resting on its side.
Donovan pulled over, and ran across the street while shouting instructions to bystanders, like “Go to that McDonald’s and grab a fire extinguisher!” Flames appeared inside the car. Two women inside were unconscious.
“Who’s got a knife?” Donovan shouted.
Donovan cut the women from out of their seatbelts and kicked the front windshield in an effort to break it and pull them out. When that didn’t work, Donovan shattered the side upward-facing window and yanked out the glass, cutting his hand and arm badly, and pulled the passengers to safety, as the flames were extinguished.
Triston remembers, “There were people trying to get his name, but he didn’t want any part of that. He didn’t want the attention. That was something that really stood out to me.” Donovan’s actions made a big impression on Connor, who watched it unfold.
“Seeing my dad going out of his way to help other people definitely influenced me,” Connor said.
How can I judge someone on their behavior when I’m not living the life that they’ve lived. How would I know that I wouldn’t do the same thing if I lived the exact same life and had the same things happen to me?
Donovan took every opportunity to play with his growing boys. They went to parks, often in the inner city, to play the “bear” game. He began as the “bear” and each kid tagged would join him as a bear until everyone was caught.
The Wedingtons encouraged every kid on the playground to participate, especially ones they didn’t know. Soon, perhaps 30 kids — of different races and backgrounds — were running and laughing, all because one family brought them together.
Donovan said the “bear” game may have developed the elusiveness that Connor shows on the field today. Whatever the cause, both Triston and Connor took to football immediately. Triston was the leader and Connor always followed along, always the youngest trying to keep up. And Donovan, not wanting them to waste their talent as he did his own, signed them up for camps and clinics and hired a trainer for additional coaching when they were in high school.
“We would wake up at 4:30 in the morning and get a workout session on the field and in the gym before school,” said Connor, who began this routine in ninth grade. “That was a test from my dad. Do you want to be great? I’ll give you an opportunity to be great. Let’s see how you react.” For inspiration, Connor and Triston looked to USC star Reggie Bush. They watched his videos endlessly, often before games. That’s why Connor, who played running back throughout high school, always wore No. 5. That was Bush’s number with the Trojans.
They played together one season at Sumner, when Connor was a sophomore and Triston a senior. Triston went on to play receiver at Central Washington, an NCAA Division II school, and returned for as many Friday nights as possible to watch Connor light up his opponents and edit the video his father shot into highlight tapes.
Triston has two favorite plays. In one, Connor caught a screen pass, and weaved 60 yards through the defense for a touchdown, and did it again on the next play after the first was nullified by penalty.
Against Auburn Mountainview, Wedington took a kickoff on his own 14-yard line, found room down the right sideline, cut back at the opponent’s 25, shook a couple of defenders and dragged another five yards as a section of Connor’s jersey was ripped away from behind.
“I was freaking out,” Triston said. “That was crazy.”
Triston still has Connor’s tattered jersey from that game framed on a wall.
Wedington committed to Washington, but changed his mind after being accepted to Stanford. He broke the news in a unique way with a snowboarding video. As he caught some big air, “Stanford Cardinal” was revealed on the bottom of his board.
“Why would you say no to Stanford?” Donovan wondered. “There’s no way. When you get to be my age, you’ll be thinking about it a lot. What if? Don’t go through life with regret.”
Wedington made a splash in his debut against Rice in Australia with a one-handed grab on a pass from Keller Chryst. He was used mainly out of the slot as a freshman and missed most of his sophomore year to injury before being moved permanently to receiver, which best utilizes his hands and his ability to evade tacklers in space.
Oregon State found out when Wedington returned a kickoff 43 yards to set up Jet Toner’s game-winning field goal with one second left in a 31-28 victory in Corvallis on September 28. Such anticipation when Wedington gets the ball. It’s hard to know what will happen next — a cutback, reverse field, change of speed, acceleration? It’s what makes Wedington such a threat.
A crowd cheered his achievements on the field, but likely had no idea of the other side of Connor Wedington.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Zaylan Jacobsen, a close friend of Connor’s since their freshman year at Sumner, came to Stanford for a visit last winter. He and Connor shared the same leadership classes under a mentor named John Norland. The notion of aiding the homeless came from those years along with encouragement from Norland and one another. The friends thought alike.
They loved helping others and when Jacobsen told Connor about taking a homeless person to lunch and talking for three hours, Connor wondered, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“That’s cool,” Connor recalled. “So I tried it and saw the real value in authentic conversations — how having one conversation with one person is more impactful than giving 15 gift cards to 15 people.”
Jacobsen spent nights on the streets in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, to understand the feeling of being homeless. He conceived Hope Given By, and the thought of starting such a venture gnawed on him so much that he left Babson College in Massachusetts. It was only a one-man dream at the time.
“My only plan was to start some kind of nonprofit,” Jacobsen said. “I decided to live out of my car for a couple of days to see Connor. Being a good friend, he embraced the project and helped pull it all together. I had the idea, but I credit him for making it happen.” Wedington placed donation boxes in the locker room and rallied support from his dorm. Room 322 looked like a storage unit with all the clothes classmates left. The key was securing a partnership with a sock company, Bombas, which provided hundreds of pairs of socks for distribution.
The next step was scouting San Francisco. For Connor and Zaylan, it was daunting.
“Seattle has a pretty big homeless population, but I’ve never seen anything like San Francisco,” Wedington said.
Once they mapped out a plan with the best routes, they embarked with a group of four. Each week, the numbers grew, eventually to as many as 30. Teammates Osiris St. Brown, Donald Stewart, Brycen Tremayne, and Michael Wilson were regulars.
As the weeks went by, the faces of the homeless became more familiar. One woman ran across the street to greet Connor with a hug upon seeing him. The stories they heard were heartbreaking.
“There are people who said this is something they wanted to do, and there are people who said this is something they didn’t want to do,” Wedington said. “It’s definitely something a lot of people don’t understand, myself included.”
“Multiple people told me they first became homeless after being brought into sex trafficking. Pimps injected them with heroin, and then after they got done with their business, they were thrown into the streets. They already were addicted, and then they’re in this cycle. How can I fault them for that?”
The reactions — especially from first-time volunteers — were unique as they processed their experiences. On the late-afternoon rides back to campus, some laughed, some cried, while others stared into space.
“I remember doing the same exact thing,” Wedington said. “Some wouldn’t say a word the whole ride. I was like, ‘You good?’ But those are realization moments. They’re important to have, because those give you another perspective to look at your life.”
Wedington realized that he cannot go into a place like the Tenderloin and tell people what to do, even as his understanding of the aftermath grows with each visit.
“How can I judge someone on their behavior when I’m not living the life that they’ve lived,” Wedington said. “Even if it was their choice to go in and do heroin for the first time, who knows what factors led up to that. How would I know that I wouldn’t do the same thing if I lived the exact same life and had the same things happen to me?” Did Wedington and Hope Given By make a difference?”
“We alleviated at least a little bit of suffering, and we had real conversations,” Jacobsen said. “We had some grown men come to tears.”
Jacobsen believes that Hope Given By can become a movement and that Stanford can inspire other football programs, other teams, and other universities to do the same thing in their communities. He’s currently writing a proposal and a mission statement.
Wedington has aspirations of starting his own business and is more convinced that community service will be a key component.
“Did we make a huge impact? Probably not,” Wedington said. “But did we make a difference? Yes.”
Those whose feet stayed warm and dry for a few nights would agree. Those who were barefoot and given shoes to wear might also agree.
But there are more homeless than ever in San Francisco, in dark corners, under overpasses, in bushes. and wherever a peaceful and protected night can be spent.
Stanford senior kicker Jet Toner possesses arguably the coolest name in college football. He’s clutch, too.
The youngest of six children, Toner was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and his birth name is John Edward Toner V. At the hospital, a doctor mentioned his initials spelled Jet and he has been called that ever since.
“I didn’t know John was my first name until I was in elementary school,” said Toner, who was named after his grandfather.
At Stanford, when professors call attendance, they say John.
“Honestly, I still forget it’s my real name,” Toner said.
There is no denying Toner has Aloha spirit in his blood. After drilling a 39-yard field goal with one second remaining last Saturday night at Oregon State to lift Stanford to a much-needed 31-28 win, he showed no emotion.
“Just doing my job,” Toner said.
According to special teams coordinator Pete Alamar, Toner’s demeanor never changes.
“I think Jet would be that way if he grew up Albuquerque,” Alamar said. “His happy to unhappy range — if the scale is three feet wide — is right in the middle. There’s about a one-inch variance to where he goes.”
It’s not that Toner isn’t competitive. After attending a Stanford kicking camp prior to his senior year at Punahou High School, he initially didn’t receive a scholarship offer and considered attending UCLA.
“He didn’t leave a happy guy, but I told him to be patient,” said Alamar. “When push came to shove, we felt he was the best guy on the board, period. It’s proved itself to be true.”
Toner never wanted to be anywhere else.
“It was always my dream school,” Toner said.
Toner’s family is tight with Joe Torre, the only Major League player/manager to collect 2,000 hits (2,342) and 2,000 wins (2,326). The league’s chief baseball officer since 2011, he was inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. Toner’s father, John, works in the hotel business.
“Back in Hawaii, you call everyone your uncle,” Jet said. “He’s not my uncle biologically. I think my dad has been really good friends with him since before I was born. For me, he’s been like a relative.”
Two-time All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 All-Academic, Toner set a school record last year with a .933 field goal percentage (14-of-15), No. 2 in the country, and No. 1 in the conference. He converted a game-tying 32-yard field goal as time expired at Oregon, enabling Stanford to complete a come-from-behind 38-31 overtime victory.
Toner is on the Lou Groza Award Watch list for the second consecutive year.
“He kind of has that island vibe in him,” said junior offensive tackle Foster Sarell. “He never makes a situation bigger than it is.”
Special all-around
Stanford’s special team units made huge contributions against Oregon State, including a blocked field goal by senior cornerback Obi Eboh. They’ll need to be equally effective Saturday, when the Cardinal (2-3, 1-3 Pac-12) hosts No. 15 Washington (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) at 7:30 p.m.
“For four years, he’s practiced that block,” Alamar said. “It’s not called often, but we practice it every Tuesday. To have the opportunity to go out and execute it and execute it well and get a block … it made a difference in the game.”
Junior wide receiver Connor Wedington set up Toner’s game-winner with a 43-yard kickoff return, sophomore wide receiver Michael Wilson contributed with a 27-yard punt return, while freshman punter Ryan Sanborn pinned the Beavers with two kicks inside the 20. All in all, the coverage teams sparkled.
some might say he was sanBORN to punt. (•_•) ( •_•)>⌐■-■ (⌐■_■)
“The thing we hang our hat on is trying to create field position for the offense and the defense, and score points,” said Alamar. “We never know what play is going to be a turning point in the game, so we play every play like that is going to be the play that turns the game.”
Alamar had special praise for freshman safety Jonathan McGill, who has started the last two games on defense.
“He’s done a phenomenal job on kickoff,” Alamar said. “So have (freshman safety) Brock Jones, (sophomore outside linebacker) Tobe Umerah and a lot of our younger guys.”
Injury update
After Wednesday night’s practice, David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football, said senior quarterback K.J. Costello would miss his second consecutive game due to injury.
“We backed off today,” Shaw said.
Junior Davis Mills played well in his second career start against Oregon State, passing for a career-high 245 yards, three touchdowns and caught another from junior tight end Colby Parkinson.
“He’s made great progress since USC and he’s got more progress to make,” said Shaw.
Senior offensive tackle Devery Hamilton and sophomore cornerback Ethan Bonner are also out, while senior offensive guard Dylan Powell is likely sidelined for the season.
Junior strong safety Stuart Head received his first playing time of the season against Oregon State and should be available, while senior cornerback Treyjohn Butler is questionable.
Quick learners: Shaw was impressed by the play of freshmen Walter Rouse and Barrett Miller against Oregon State.
“I completely forgot that we had a freshman left tackle and freshman left guard,” said Shaw. “They’re bright kids, they’re competitive kids, and they want to do everything right.”
According to Shaw, Rouse made two mistakes while appearing in all 68 offensive snaps.
“That’s remarkable,” Shaw said. “Every time I compliment him, he says, ‘Really?’ Like most people who are successful, he’s not satisfied with being pretty good. He wants to be great. I appreciate that about him. Unbelievably conscientious, hardworking young man and he has a chance to be special.”
Washington ties
Stanford has five Washington products on its roster: sixth-year wide receiver Isaiah Brandt-Sims, junior wide receiver Cameron Buzzell, sophomore defensive end Trey LaBounty, junior offensive tackle Sarell, and junior wide receiver Wedington.
“I’m really excited to get on the field and see if any of the emotion gets me,” said Sarell, who missed last year’s game in Seattle due to injury.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Home crowd
Saturday marks Stanford’s first game with the full student body back on campus. Stanford hosted Oregon two weeks ago during new student orientation, but the Red Zone Student Section should be packed for Washington and the Cardinal looks forward to their support.
“We love that,” said senior inside linebacker Curtis Robinson. “Any support we can get is appreciated, especially the students, the individuals that we interact with every day in classes or dorms. It’s really nice to have them out there and be able to play in front of them.”
Said Shaw, “When we can get that stadium full, it’s an electric environment. It’s exciting, especially now being in school for a while. Just your friendships and you know people that are coming to watch you, especially for some of the younger guys. The freshman dorms come out to support all of the athletes in their sports, so you see the signs in the student section. They bring an energy and passion and it becomes personal.”
Scouting the Huskies
“Their offensive line plays together very well,” said Robinson. “They’re a big, seasoned group and that helps them open up holes. Their running backs are super-talented and know what to do with the ball once they see openings. If those seams are open, they’re going to take them.”
Defensively, Washington is active and physical.
“They’ve got quickness, athleticism and explosiveness up front,” said Shaw. “They get a lot of penetration and a lot of hits on the quarterback with a three- or four-man rush. It’s not about pressure with those guys, it’s about how active they are.”
Shaw on the keys to a win Saturday
“For us, it’s about playing at the level we can play at and sustaining it, which has been our challenge all year. In spurts, we’ve been outstanding; in spurts we haven’t. We have to make the plays that are there to be made and we can’t make critical mistakes. At the very least, we have to match their intensity and physicality, and you can’t start slow. If you start slowly against Washington, you’ll be down 21-0.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Smooth transition
Senior Curtis Robinson said it has been an adjustment this season moving from outside to inside linebacker.
“The biggest shift for me was eye progression,” Shaw said. “Playing on the line, you don’t have to see as much. Playing inside, we call it ‘apexing’ our vision. Looking to a certain point but seeing three different people moving different directions. That’s what I have been working on the most.”
Notes
Through five games, 13 players have made their first starts at Stanford, including five freshmen. 13 freshmen have seen game action … Wedington ranks No. 2 in the Pac-12 and No. 11 nationally in kickoff return average at 30.4 yards … Junior wide receiver Osiris St. Brown has started the last two games and has 12 receptions for 144 yards … The Cardinal roster includes players from 28 states and Austria, and 17 different majors are being taken. Engineering is the most popular with 16.
Quote
“We don’t really look at it as having to shoulder the load. We just see it as an opportunity to make an impact on the game.” — Robinson on the extended minutes he and senior inside linebacker Andrew Pryts have played.
David Shaw showed the masses he still has a few tricks up his sleeve Saturday night at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.
Clinging to a seven-point lead against Oregon State early in the fourth quarter, Stanford had first and goal at the 8-yard line. Shaw called a reverse with junior quarterback Davis Mills pitching left to fifth-year senior running back Cameron Scarlett, who handed to junior tight end Colby Parkinson, who lofted a pass in the end zone for Mills. The latter used every inch of his 6’4″ frame to out-leap two Oregon State defenders for a touchdown.
“Colby put a little too much air under it,” said Shaw. “We knew our quarterback was going to be wide open. Davis is a great athlete and he hung up there and made a great play.”
Mills loved the call, now known as the Stanford Special.
“It was fun,” Mills said. “It was our version of the Philly Special.”
Parkinson also caught a touchdown pass from Mills, becoming the first non-quarterback at Stanford since Christian McCaffrey in the 2015 Pac-12 Championship Game to throw for and score a touchdown.
“I was very excited and very nervous,” Parkinson said.
As it turned out, Stanford needed one more score to win. Senior kicker Jet Toner grooved a 39-yard field goal with one second remaining to lift the Cardinal to a 31-28 victory.
“He’s got that cool Hawaiian breeze going through his blood,” Shaw said of Toner, a Honolulu product.
Breaking out
Stanford (2-3, 1-2 Pac-12) snapped out of its offensive funk by scoring four touchdowns against the Beavers (1-3, 0-1 Pac-12), who have lost 10 consecutive conference games. Making his second start of the season in place of injured K.J. Costello, Mills passed for three scores and caught another.
“He was calm and collected under pressure,” said Shaw. “He stood in the pocket, made some huge plays with his legs and made some really smart decisions.”
Operating behind the fourth different starting offensive line in five games, Mills threw for a career-high 245 yards.
“Not much,” said Shaw, when asked how much he revised the game plan. “Davis gets outside the pocket a little more. We protected well and guys made plays.”
Mills accompanied the team to Corvallis as a freshman, which helped prepare him for the loud and challenging environment. He didn’t flinch in the final drive.
“I have a lot of trust in the guys,” Mills said.
Shaw has been waiting for his wide receivers to step up and they did. Junior Connor Wedington caught five passes for 31 yards, junior Osiris St. Brown caught 4-for-46, sophomore Michael Wilson caught 3-for-87, sophomore Simi Fehoko caught 1-for-16, and Parkinson grabbed 3-for-44. More importantly, they contributed several big gains, going for 39, 36 and 18 yards.
Truly special
Wedington helped set up Toner’s game-winner with a 43-yard kickoff return in the final two minutes after OSU had tied the score. Senior cornerback Obi Eboh blocked a field goal, Wilson contributed a 27-yard punt return, and freshman punter Ryan Sanborn averaged 50.3 yards on three punts, lacing a career-best 68-yarder and downed two inside the 20.
“We were stellar,” Shaw said.
Stanford ranks first in the Pac-12 in kickoff coverage.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Frosh impact
In just his second start, freshman Jonathan McGill collected a game-high 11 tackles at nickel-back and was all over the field. Sophomore defensive end Thomas Booker had his first two-sack game and finished with a career-best eight tackles, and senior inside linebacker Curtis Robinson added a career-best seven stops.
The Cardinal posted four sacks and six tackles for loss.
Booker had rave reviews for McGill, cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly and the other freshmen who have stepped up on defense.
“Seeing them come in with the poise they have is awesome,” Booker said.
Huskies next
Stanford welcomes No. 15 Washington (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the first of three straight home games.
The host Huskies defeated No. 21 USC (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12) on Saturday, 28-14. Salvon Ahmed ran for a career-high 153 yards for Washington, which has outscored opponents 77-3 in the first quarter.
The Huskies won last year’s meeting at Husky Stadium, 27-23. However, the Cardinal has claimed four of the last six and eight of the last 11.
The Pac-12 Network will broadcast the Pregame Show on campus Saturday.
Game theme
Stanford football student-athletes and coaches will be sporting pink to draw awareness to breast cancer as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer survivors will be honored throughout the game. Additionally, the 2019 NCAA champion women’s water polo team will be recognized for capturing their seventh NCAA title.
Extra points
Freshman Barrett Miller started at offensive left guard alongside freshman tackle Walter Rouse … Miller became the 13th first-time starter and fifth true freshman to start for Stanford this season … As he has all season, Scarlett ran hard and tallied a team-high 92 tough yards on 24 carries. “He’s our MVP,” said Shaw … Sophomore wide receiver Brycen Tremayne, a former walk-on who earned a scholarship during fall camp, caught his first collegiate touchdown … The Stanford defense hasn’t allowed a first-quarter touchdown in six of the last eight games … The start of the game was delayed 15 minutes due to lightning in the area … Chris Peatross ’88, a four-year wide receiver at Stanford, served as honorary captain. He is the founder, president and CEO of Swift Real Estate Partners.
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