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 โฆ 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 โฆ ESPN will televise the Stanford-UCLA game โฆ 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) โฆ Adebo ranks No. 2 in the Pac-12 in passes defended (10) โฆ Scarlett ranks No. 3 in the league in rushing (94.0) and No. 5 in all-purpose yards (117.0) โฆ Toohill ranks second in the conference in sacks (4) and fourth in tackles for loss (6) โฆ 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
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 โฆ Scarlett’s 33 rushing attempts were the most by a Cardinal since Christian McCaffrey in 2015, when he carried 33 times against Oregon โฆ Senior inside linebacker Curtis Robinson led Stanford with eight tackles โฆ Sophomore wide receiver Michael Wilson (6) and junior wide receiver Connor Wedington (4) combined for 10 catches for the Cardinal โฆ Washington had forced three turnovers in each of its last three games, converting six into touchdowns. However, Stanford committed zero turnovers โฆ 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 โฆ 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
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.
โIt shook me,โ 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 Wedingtonโs thoughts. And, last spring, as he and friend Zaylan Jacobsen mobilized a homeless outreach from Stanford into weekly visits into San Franciscoโs Tenderloin, Wedington recalled that moment as he prepared his teams for what they might encounter.
โThis is what youโre getting into,โ Wedington said.
โI know,โ they said.
โWhen you actually see it, itโs different,โ 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.
โWe wanted something different about us,โ Wedington said. โWe would try to talk to them. I saw the value in authentic conversations.โ
Connor and his older brother, Triston, always shared a heart for others.
โChrist is the example,โ said his father Donovan Wedington. โHeโs always been the example. Thereโs no one whoโs ever done it better. Ever. And the boys know that.โ Donovan purposefully taught his sons selflessness as a way to right his fatherโs past mistakes. An army brat, Donovan came from what he described as โtrauma.โ
Without a foundation of support, Donovan failed the second grade and felt like he was dumb.
โNo one ever tried to help me,โ Donovan said. โAt all. No one. Even my family.”
โI started making my friends more important than school. I was more concerned about popularity and being cool, which you turn to if you donโt feel smart. There is nothing worse than feeling stupid. Nothing.โ
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 sonsโ 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. Theyโve 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 couldnโt afford it on hot summer days.
โThereโs nothing uglier than having a lot of stuff, and having nothing in your heart,โ 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 โGo to that McDonaldโs and grab a fire extinguisher!โ Flames appeared inside the car. Two women inside were unconscious.
โWhoโs got a knife?โ 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 didnโt 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, โThere were people trying to get his name, but he didnโt want any part of that. He didnโt want the attention. That was something that really stood out to me.โ Donovanโs actions made a big impression on Connor, who watched it unfold.
โSeeing my dad going out of his way to help other people definitely influenced me,โ Connor said.
How can I judge someone on their behavior when Iโm not living the life that theyโve lived. How would I know that I wouldnโt 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 โbearโ game. He began as the โbearโ 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 didnโt know. Soon, perhaps 30 kids — of different races and backgrounds — were running and laughing, all because one family brought them together.
Donovan said the โbearโ 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.
โWe would wake up at 4:30 in the morning and get a workout session on the field and in the gym before school,โ said Connor, who began this routine in ninth grade. โThat was a test from my dad. Do you want to be great? Iโll give you an opportunity to be great. Letโs see how you react.โ For inspiration, Connor and Triston looked to USC star Reggie Bush. They watched his videos endlessly, often before games. Thatโs why Connor, who played running back throughout high school, always wore No. 5. That was Bushโs 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 opponentโs 25, shook a couple of defenders and dragged another five yards as a section of Connorโs jersey was ripped away from behind.
โI was freaking out,โ Triston said. โThat was crazy.โ
Triston still has Connorโs 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, โStanford Cardinalโ was revealed on the bottom of his board.
โWhy would you say no to Stanford?โ Donovan wondered. โThereโs no way. When you get to be my age, youโll be thinking about it a lot. What if? Donโt go through life with regret.โ
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 Tonerโs 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. Itโs hard to know what will happen next — a cutback, reverse field, change of speed, acceleration? Itโs 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 Connorโs 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 didnโt I think of that?”
โThatโs cool,โ Connor recalled. โSo 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.โ
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.
โMy only plan was to start some kind of nonprofit,โ Jacobsen said. โI 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.โ 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.
โSeattle has a pretty big homeless population, but Iโve never seen anything like San Francisco,โ 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.
โThere are people who said this is something they wanted to do, and there are people who said this is something they didnโt want to do,โ Wedington said. โItโs definitely something a lot of people donโt understand, myself included.”
โMultiple 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 theyโre in this cycle. How can I fault them for that?โ
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.
โI remember doing the same exact thing,โ Wedington said. โSome wouldnโt say a word the whole ride. I was like, โYou good?’ But those are realization moments. Theyโre important to have, because those give you another perspective to look at your life.โ
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.
โHow can I judge someone on their behavior when Iโm not living the life that theyโve lived,โ Wedington said. โEven 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 wouldnโt do the same thing if I lived the exact same life and had the same things happen to me?โ Did Wedington and Hope Given By make a difference?”
โWe alleviated at least a little bit of suffering, and we had real conversations,โ Jacobsen said. โWe had some grown men come to tears.โ
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.
โDid we make a huge impact? Probably not,โ Wedington said. โBut 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 โฆ 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. (โข_โข) ( โข_โข)>โโ -โ (โโ _โ )
“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 โฆ Wedington ranks No. 2 in the Pac-12 and No. 11 nationally in kickoff return average at 30.4 yards โฆ Junior wide receiver Osiris St. Brown has started the last two games and has 12 receptions for 144 yards โฆ 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 โฆ Miller became the 13th first-time starter and fifth true freshman to start for Stanford this season โฆ 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 โฆ Sophomore wide receiver Brycen Tremayne, a former walk-on who earned a scholarship during fall camp, caught his first collegiate touchdown โฆ The Stanford defense hasn’t allowed a first-quarter touchdown in six of the last eight games โฆ The start of the game was delayed 15 minutes due to lightning in the area โฆ 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.
According to Mark Soltau, Colby Parkinson didn’t see it coming.
Last November on Senior Day against Oregon State, Parkinson — a junior tight end — tied a school record by catching four touchdown passes from then junior quarterback K.J. Costello — all in the first half — in Stanford’s 48-17 win. Coming into the contest, Parkinson had 17 receptions and no touchdowns, but finished with six grabs for 166 yards.
Parkinson scored on a variety of routes, finding pay dirt from 5, 9, 28 and 75 yards.
“It was a great game and fun to be part of,” Parkinson said. “I don’t think I caught a ball twice on the same person.”
Leading into the game, junior tight end Kaden Smith and senior wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside had been Costello’s favorite targets. But Arcega-Whiteside didn’t play after sustaining an injury the week before at Washington.
“It’s just kind of how it evolved,” Parkinson said of his first half. “We always put in different plans for different people in certain games and we have matchups that we like. The ball was coming my way.”
After playing in Smith’s shadow, Parkinson showed he was a threat.
“We did some things to get him singled up,” said David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football. “I don’t know that he was enough of a name to have specialty coverage for. That game really proved how special he can be.”
The contest had special meaning for Parkinson, who grew in Simi Valley, Calif. That week, the devastating Camp Fire in Butte County and Woolsey Fire west of Los Angeles were raging in Northern and Southern California. Additionally, a shooting near his hometown in Thousand Oaks, took the lives of 12 people.
“It was almost sentimental,” Parkinson said. “It was pretty cool to hopefully give some of my friends and family back home something to watch.”
This season, the 6-foot-7, 251-pound Parkinson ranks second on the squad with 17 receptions for 178 yards, but has yet to score. With Arcega-Whiteside and Smith now playing in the NFL, opposing defenses have made stopping Parkinson a priority, often jamming him at the line of scrimmage and double-teaming him.
“You’ve seen it in the first four games โ I’m not getting the same looks I was getting last year,” said Parkinson, who will try to help Stanford (1-3, 0-2 Pac-12) snap a three-game losing streak at Oregon State (1-2, 0-0 Pac-12) at 4 p.m. on Saturday. “It seems like they’re game-planning for me, which is definitely a compliment.”
The coaching staff is working hard to find ways to free him up.
“It’s incumbent on us to move him around and show his versatility,” Shaw said. “At the same time, if they want to take him away, other guys have to make plays.”
All Parkinson cares about is winning.
“I’m happy not to catch a single pass if that means other people are getting open,” Parkinson said. “It’s absolutely a team sport, especially in that way.”
Plagued by penalties and near misses, the Cardinal offense has only produced four touchdowns.
Parkinson is confident the offense is close to clicking.
“Absolutely,” Parkinson said. “I feel great at practice this week. I’ve kind of changed my attitude. It was easier for me last year having those established vertical threats like JJ and Kaden. We have great talent on this team. It’s been tough, but I’m excited about where we’re going.”
SLOW START: Stanford’s losses have come against No. 22 UCF, No. 21 USC and No. 13 Oregon, who are a combined 9-3. Although many consider the Cardinal’s first four games the toughest stretch in the country, Shaw offered no excuses.
“We haven’t been up to our standards,” Shaw said. “Injuries aren’t the reason for our record.”
Eliminating mistakes, better execution and making plays are the Cardinal’s keys going forward.
“I trust the mentality of this football team,” said Shaw. “I think we all are a little frustrated, which I think is a positive, because we should be frustrated. We’re not going to press and scrap a lot of things. We need to tweak some things and improve the things we’re doing.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
HANGING TOUGH: Costello is questionable for Oregon State. He injured his throwing thumb early in the game after hitting an Oregon helmet with his follow through on a pass.
“He fought through it the whole game and made some great throws late in the game,” Shaw said. “It’s hard to say how much it affected him.”
Asked if he considered inserting junior backup Davis Mills, Shaw said, “Honestly, I think there were only two errant throws the entire game. He put the ball on the money a couple times with guys in his face. It wasn’t like he couldn’t do the job.”
INJURY UPDATE: Junior offensive tackle Foster Sarell is probable and senior offensive tackle Devery Hamilton is doubtful.
Sophomore cornerback Ethan Bonner, senior cornerback Treyjohn Butler and junior strong safety Stuart Head could return to practice and might be available Saturday.
DEFENSIVE FORCE: Fifth-year senior outside linebacker Casey Toohill is first in the Pac-12 in sacks with four and second in tackles for loss with six. He leads the team with 28 tackles and has one forced fumble and two hurries.
“I thought we came out with more fire,” Toohill said of last week’s 21-6 defeat to Oregon. “That really should be our standard. I think we really need to bring the same juice every game.”
ALL OUT: Sophomore wide receiver Michael Wilson likes being physical and goes hard until he hears a whistle on every play. He developed that mentality in youth football.
“I just have the desire to out-work my opponent,” Wilson said. “Coach Shaw really wants that to be the theme of the Stanford football team. It has been in the past. I like to bring professional brutality. If you keep attacking over and over again, a lot of guys aren’t going to like that.”
Asked about the team’s offensive struggles, Wilson said, “People love to see big plays made and we want to make big plays. That’s why we put in all this work throughout the offseason.”
The danger is trying to force things.
“In a way, you kind of have to let the game come to you,” Wilson said. “I think when you try too hard to make a play, that’s oftentimes when you don’t. You have to have this calm way about it. We’ve got guys across the board that can make plays. Hopefully, it starts this game.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
BACK TO CLASS: Autumn quarter classes began Monday.
“It’s definitely gotten more hectic, but we’re Stanford men, and this is what we signed up for,” Wilson said. “I love it. School is a big part of why I came here. I love the challenge.”
SCOUTING THE BEAVERS: Toohill is impressed with Oregon State’s offense and knows stopping it will be a challenge.
“Great running backs and receivers,” Toohill said. “Like any Pac-12 offense, they can put up a lot of points. I don’t think their record reflects how good they are. There are no easy weeks in the Pac-12, so you always have to be on your game.”
Quarterback Jake Luton, now in his sixth year of college football, has thrown for eight touchdowns and hasn’t been intercepted. Running back Jermar Jefferson has rushed for 270 yards and averages 5.7 yards per carry, while wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins has snared five scoring passes and averages 15.1 yards per catch.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
NOTES: Shaw typically watches film of the last game at least three times by Sunday night โฆ Shaw on playing at Reser Stadium: “Every time I think of Corvallis, I think of that third down chainsaw (played over the PA system). It’s unnaturally loud. It’s a great atmosphere, it’s loud and those guys are going to be fired up.” โฆ Junior tight end Tucker Fisk and sophomore fullback Jay Symonds made their first collegiate catches against Oregon โฆ Fifth-year senior running back Cameron Scarlett ranks fourth in the Pac-12 with 321 yards and has caught 10 passes for 88 yards.
QUOTE: “I’ve never seen a guy that has so much natural wiggle. He’s like a magician with his body.” — Michael Wilson on freshman running back Austin Jones
After lopsided losses at USC and UCF, the Stanford defense made positive strides in Saturday’s 21-6 setback to No. 16 Oregon.
Led by Heisman Trophy contender Justin Herbert, the Ducks (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12) entered Saturday averaging 44.3 points and 505 yards on offense. The Cardinal (1-3, 0-2 Pac-12) allowed three touchdowns and 320 yards and sacked Herbert four times.
“Our focus was to execute and play fast and physical,” said fifth-year senior outside linebacker Casey Toohill, who recorded a career-high two sacks. “I think we did a decent job of that, but again, we left a lot on the table and gave them too many points.”
David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football, was especially pleased with his front seven, which limited Oregon to 61 yards rushing on 30 attempts. Despite the sacks and two hurries, Herbert completed 19-of-24 passes for 259 yards and three scores.
“We’re a really talented defense โฆ I still believe that,” Toohill said. “I missed two sacks and that can’t happen. Too many opportunities where we had third-and-long and let them get a big play. We took some steps, but we’re still not where we need to be.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Toohill, senior inside linebacker Andrew Pryts and senior outside linebacker Jordan Fox shared team-high tackling honors with eight. Sophomore strong safety Kendall Williamson added seven. The Cardinal recorded seven tackles for loss.
Afterward, senior free safety Malik Antoine implored his teammates to raise their level.
“It’s always frustrating when you leave a little meat on the bone,” Antoine said. “I’m always confident in this team. You really have to look at yourself and this is no time to start pointing fingers. Our backs are up against the wall.”
Toohill added, “You look for the little details you are missing. Once you do that, you just focus on your next opponent. We need to build off some of the good we did. You can’t be depressed and get stuck looking in the rearview mirror. We really have to look ahead.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
RUNNING HARD: Fifth-year senior running back Cameron Scarlett matched the career-high he set against Northwestern in the season opener by slashing for 97 yards on 19 carries.
“He probably broke between eight and 10 tackles,” Shaw said. “He showed what kind of back he can be, physical, quick, tough, did a good job in pass protection.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
STILL SEARCHING: The offense ran nine more plays and finished with a nearly nine-minute advantage in time of possession, but could only muster two field goals by senior kicker Jet Toner.
“Sloppy play,” said Shaw of the unit’s performance, which had two big plays negated by costly penalties. “There’s so much more on this football team, and we’ve got to get it out of us.”
Senior quarterback K.J. Costello never found his rhythm and finished 16-of-30 for 120 yards and was intercepted once. He was sacked five times and hurried four but praised his offensive line.
“They did a helluva job,” Costello said.
Costello banged his throwing thumb on an Oregon helmet early in the game.
“I could grip it well enough to throw it,” said Costello. “The same thing happened last year. Everybody is banged up this time of year.”
Poor field position didn’t help. Stanford started five drives from its own 12 or worse.
“It was definitely execution,” said Scarlett. “We know we all the talent in the locker room that we need.
We know we have what it takes to right the ship and turn it around.”
In four games, the Cardinal offense has produced four touchdowns.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
FIRST CATCH: Junior tight end Tucker Fisk, known more as a blocker, made his first reception since his senior year at Davis High in Davis, Calif. As a prep, he caught 92 passes for 1,116 yards and 13 touchdowns.
“It definitely felt good to get it,” Fisk said of his eight-yard grab. “Honestly, I was almost confused when I caught it. I almost didn’t remember what to do with it.”
Fisk said Stanford’s inability to find the end zone was mostly due to self-inflicted wounds. The last time Stanford failed to score a touchdown on home turf was against Colorado during a 10-5 win in 2016.
“It was mostly us,” Fisk said. “We just need to execute better and play better as a team. It’s definitely an internal issue.”
UP NEXT: Stanford hits the road for the third time in four weeks on Saturday when it plays Oregon State (1-2, 0-0) in Corvallis at 4 p.m. The Beavers had a bye this week.
The Cardinal leads the series, 57-25-3, and has won the last nine meetings. A year ago, Stanford rolled to a 48-17 home win behind four touchdown throws from Costello to tight end Colby Parkinson.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
NOTES: Stanford has dropped three straight games for the first time in Shaw’s nine-year tenure. “I’m not going to hit the panic button,” he said. “I don’t have a panic button.” โฆ Junior Foster Sarell returned to the starting lineup at right tackle โฆ Junior wide receiver Osiris St. Brown received his first career start โฆ Freshman cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly made his first college start and posted four tackles. “He played extremely well,” said Shaw. “Very competitive young man. He has a high football IQ. It was great to see him go out there and make some plays.” โฆ Freshman Jonathan McGill earned his first start at nickel back โฆ The Cardinal has used 12 first-time starters this season โฆ Toner is now tied for seventh in program history with 42 field goals โฆ Freshman Ryan Sanborn’s 57-yard punt in the third quarter was a career-long โฆ Oregon still hasn’t allowed a first-half touchdown this season โฆ Former Cardinal swimmer Katie Ledecky, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, served as Stanford’s honorary captain โฆ Ex-Cardinal running back Brad Muster tooted the pregame train whistle and was recognized in the second quarter to help celebrate the 125th year of Stanford Football. The Novato, Calif. native was the 1986 Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year and a Consensus All-American โฆ John Ralston, the only coach in program history to guide Stanford to back-to-back Rose Bowl wins in 1971 and 1972, was recognized. He passed away last week at age 92 โฆ The newly inducted 2019 Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame Class was introduced on the field. The eight-member group includes the late Bill Tarr ’55, a two-way standout at running back and linebacker, who was represented by his widow, Deanna, and son, Bill Tarr Jr. โฆ Autumn quarter classes start Monday.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
QUOTE: “Too many errors against a good football team makes it hard to win.” — David Shaw
Obviously, it’s no surprise that true freshmen are getting to contribute for the Stanford football team. Last year, the NCAA adopted a new redshirt rule that allows them to play in four games without losing a year of eligibility.
Typically, freshmen are spoon-fed and sprinkled into the lineup. Due to injuries, the process has been ramped up. At UCF last Saturday, 13 played in the game.
“It’s very exciting,” said frosh running back Austin Jones, who scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 35-yard run. “The fact that we can go in there and make plays and have fun, that’s what I want everyone on this team to do.”
Walter Rouse, a top offensive line recruit, figured he would receive playing time this season, but not this quickly. When starting left tackle Walker Little was lost for the season late in the game against Northwestern, Rouse got the call and has started the last two games.
“I was the next man up and you have to take it head on,” Rouse said.
Rouse’s first start came at USC under the lights in a nationally televised game.
“I’ve just been taking it day by day,” said Rouse. “My teammates and coach (Kevin) Carberry have been helping me along and each day I’m trying to learn and get better. I’m getting more comfortable being out there and I’m starting to play more instead of just thinking.”
Jonathan McGill, a safety, made a big play last week, scooping up a fumble and returning it 28 yards for his first collegiate touchdown.
“It was just a freaky accident,” McGill said. “I was really supposed to be closer to the line of scrimmage. Right before the quarterback snapped the ball, I came into the box and the ball started bouncing. I just sprinted to it and the ball tipped my way, so I picked it up and ran to the end zone. That was a pretty fun moment and I wish it would have come sooner.”
McGill attended the same high school (Coppell) as former Cardinal standout Solomon Thomas, now a San Francisco 49er. As a group, McGill said the freshmen are embracing their early playing time.
“Coming in this summer, we had a group chat and were talking about potentially playing with the redshirt rule, so we knew we were probably seeing the field once or twice,” said McGill. “Injuries happen and it’s the next up mentality.”
“The upperclassmen did a really great job of introducing us to the system and we had player-led meetings that helped us grasp the system. They really helped us out and gave us the confidence to get on the field.”
The first time McGill stepped on campus and met his future teammates, he felt something special.
“The vets took us under their wing and set the standard,” McGill said. “We really came in just wanting to learn. I think what really separates Stanford from a lot of schools is that the upperclassmen don’t distance themselves from the younger guys. They’ve done a great job helping us out.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
The freshman class is tight and took pride in seeing Jones score last Saturday.
“Everybody on the sideline was going crazy,” McGill said. “But it meant a little more to us seeing one of our guys make a huge play.”
Although Stanford (1-2, 0-1 Pac-12) hoped for a better start against a challenging schedule, veteran players are appreciative of what the freshmen have done and expect more good things on Saturday against No. 16 Oregon (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12).
“I’ve been really impressed how they have stepped up, some in pretty big roles,” said junior tight end Colby Parkinson. “I think it’s a testament to how hard they worked during the summer. I know the older guys wanted to bring them up to speed as fast as we could. It’s cool to see.”
Added junior center Drew Dalman: “The whole mentality this offseason was getting everybody ready, not just the freshmen. We know these seasons take everybody, especially on the offensive line, which is a position where sometimes people get dinged up so guys have to be ready to play. They’ve been awesome.”
Jones has leaned on fifth-year senior Cameron Scarlett and senior Dorian Maddox for advice.
“Austin and Nate (Peat) have been like sponges trying to soak up as much as they can,” Scarlett said. “We’ve just tried to instill some of the things Coach G (running backs coach, Ron Gould) teaches us like being physical, running with a purpose, breaking tackles, being great with our eyes and being calm in the chaos.
“I told them you’re going to get your opportunity. When you do, capitalize and make the most of it.”
Jones did against UCF. He gained a team-high 65 yards on seven carries. The touchdown is still a blur.
“Surreal moment,” said Jones. “When I came off the field, I celebrated with my teammates, but I didn’t really realize I had scored. It didn’t really sink in until I walked out to kick off and I was like, ‘Man, I just scored my first college touchdown.’ It was like a dream come true for me.”
The moment wasn’t too big, thanks to mentoring from Scarlett and Maddox.
“Cam and Dorian have been a big help,” Jones said. “They’ve been telling me everything I need to read on the plays and to just be yourself and play your game. Once you get on the field, be you.”
In Dalman’s mind, they are no longer freshmen.
“The people on the field are the guys we trust, regardless of age or experience,” said Dalman. “If you’re in a Stanford jersey, we’ve got to trust you and we will.”
INJURY UPDATE: Help could be forthcoming for the Cardinal. Following Wednesday’s practice, David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football, said junior starting right tackle Foster Sarell is “probable,” senior offensive guard Dylan Powell is “doubtful,” and senior starting inside linebacker Andrew Pryts is “really close” for Saturday against the Ducks. He previously announced that freshman Branson Bragg is out indefinitely.
TIGHTEN UP: In three games, Stanford has surrendered 18 plays of 20 yards or more.
“That’s not us,” Shaw said. “We’re built to be better than that.”
The defense will be tested by Oregon, sparked by senior quarterback Justin Herbert and a list of playmakers.
“He’s got pure talent,” said Shaw. “He’s a great college quarterback and will be a great quarterback at the next level.”
Stanford must make Herbert uncomfortable and limit big plays. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns and hasn’t been intercepted in his last 150 attempts, dating back to last season.
“Our job is to keep them out of the end zone,” Shaw said.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
NEAR MISSES: The Cardinal offense has had chances to make big plays in every game and looks to cash in Saturday.
“It is definitely frustrating,” said junior wide receiver Connor Wedington. “It is also a part of the game. Practice makes perfect. At the end of the day, getting more reps before practice and after practice is what is going to make things click.”
Added senior quarterback K.J. Costello, “Nobody knows what we can do on offense because we haven’t done it yet.”
OVERTIME SHOCKER: Parkinson caught the game-winning touchdown from Costello in overtime last year in Eugene to lift Stanford to an improbable 38-31 comeback victory against Oregon. The Cardinal trailed 24-7 at halftime and was down by 10 points with 90 seconds left in regulation.
“Not necessarily the game itself but more the atmosphere and how we felt as a team in the second half,” Parkinson said, when asked what he recalled most. “The belief and no-doubt feeling that we were going to come back. It’s something that we draw on a lot. The feeling of unity in the second half was second to none.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Dream realized that Costello is still smiling after meeting Tiger Woods last Saturday at the UCF game.
“It was so cool,” said Costello, who competed in junior golf and is a scratch player. “I’ve been a fan my entire life. He was probably the first athlete that I adored. Just the way he walked around. I remember going to junior tournaments wearing the same (Sunday) red.”
SET THE EXPECTATION: Saturday’s theme is Sexual and Relationship Violence Awareness. Additional themes include New Student Orientation, Hall of Fame recognition and presentation of the Capital One Cup.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
EXTRA POINTS: Shaw described the Tuesday and Wednesday practices as “spirited” โฆ Under Shaw, the Cardinal is 20-7 coming off a loss and 5-0 after consecutive losses โฆ Stanford has won the last three meetings against Oregon โฆ The Cardinal hasn’t allowed a first quarter touchdown in five of the last six games โฆ Parkinson leads Stanford with 17 receptions, followed by Wedington with 15 โฆ The Cardinal has been outscored, 31-14, in the first quarter โฆ Former Stanford head coach John Ralston, who guided the program to Rose Bowl wins in 1971 and 1972, will be recognized. He passed away last week.
QUOTE: “We’ve got to do what we do and play our style of football.” — Senior outside linebacker Jordan Fox
Stanford football’s only win came at home versus Northwestern on August 31. Since then, Stanford has dropped its last two games settling for a 1-3 record, but hey, they’re slightly better than my alma mater, San Jose State, so there’s nothing to complain about.
Here’s the latest Cardinal news and notes, courtesy of GoStanford.com.
September 16 Saturday seems to be an exciting day on The Farm. Women’s volleyball welcomes No. 13 BYU to Maples Pavilion at noon. This will be followed by football hosting No. 15 Oregon in a pivotal Pac-12 North battle at 4 p.m. inside Stanford Stadium.
All general parking lots (4, 8, 9, 13) will open at 11 a.m. for event attendee parking. Women’s volleyball match attendees will receive free parking in these lots with their ticket to the match vs. BYU. Parking in Maples, Galvez, Track, Sunken Diamond and Lot 2 is permitted only for football parking pass holders of those respective parking lots, or those with a valid ADA placard (parking in Maples and Sunken Diamond).
Football season parking passes will provide access to their respective parking lots beginning at the times listed below:
Lot 2 — 6 a.m. (overnight pass holders Sept. 19 at 3 p.m.)
All other parking lots — 11 a.m.
Stanford Athletics has partnered with Wells Fargo to bring half-priced ($15) general lot car parking to all Cardinal fans for Saturday’s football game against Oregon. This discount is only eligible for parking passes purchased online in advance.
We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate your cooperation and flexibility. For any questions, please contact a dedicated account executive at (800)-STANFORD (option 1) or email athleticstickets@stanford.edu.
September 13 Redshirt junior Kodye Pugh has been ruled out for the 2019-20 season due to injury. A Maryland native, Pugh was injured in Stanford’s 58-34 victory over Sam Basket Massagno on Aug. 25 in Switzerland. The 6’8″ forward has played in 38 games for the Cardinal over the last two seasons.
Pugh’s statement:
“To my Stanford family and friends, I regret to inform you that I will be out for the upcoming basketball season due a knee injury while playing in Europe this summer. I decided that it was best for my career to pursue the needed surgery quickly, in order to start the rehabilitation and healing process.”
“While I was saddened by the injury, I am hopeful that I will be ready to continue my basketball career next year, and I’m excited for my upcoming senior year. As a leader on the team, I will continue to cheer on and encourage my teammates from the sideline, and support them and the staff in any way possible.”
“I want to thank everyone for your continued support throughout this entire process and over the years. I am looking forward to a great season. I know that everything happens for a reason and I’m trusting God.”
John Ralston was one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most popular and beloved college and professional sports figures and passed away peacefully in Sunnyvale, Calif., on September 14, 2019.
Ralston’s impact on the Bay Area sports scene spanned 60 years from his days as a linebacker on the 1947 through 1950 University of California, Berkeley football teams playing for legendary coach Lynn “Pappy” Waldorf” into the 21st century as a special assistant to the athletics director at San Jose State University.
HIS FOOTBALL COACHING CAREER: Ralston was best known as a football coach with a positive approach to life that took Utah State University, Stanford University and the Denver Broncos to unprecedented success.
Ralston began his coaching career as an assistant football coach at San Lorenzo (Calif.) High in 1953 and spent two seasons at Mt. Diablo High before returning to Cal. He returned to the University of California in 1956 as an assistant football coach and was on the staff for the 1958 Golden Bears’ team that played in the 1959 Rose Bowl.
Ralston was the head coach at Utah State (1959-62), Stanford (1963-71), Denver Broncos (1972-76), Oakland Invaders (1983-84) and San Jose State (1993-96). Combining his college and pro head coaching records, his teams amassed a 140-126-7 win-loss record.
Ralston’s Utah State teams played in the 1960 Sun Bowl and 1961 Gotham Bowl and his Stanford squads won consecutive Pacific 8 Conference championships and Rose Bowls following the 1970 and 1971 regular seasons. The Broncos’ first winning season in franchise history was in 1973, his second as a NFL head coach.
Ralston’s coaching tree included former NFL head coaches the late Bill Walsh, Dick Vermeil, Jim Mora, Sr., Mike White, the late Rod Rust, the late Jack Christiansen and college head coaches the late Roger Theder, the late Tony Knap, Ed Peasley and Rubin Carter.
Ralston’s best-known players included 1970 Heisman Trophy winner Jim Plunkett at Stanford and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman Merlin Olsen at Utah State.
MORE THAN A FOOTBALL COACH: Ralston’s football experiences extended beyond coaching players and his assistants. He was the Broncos’ general manager and head coach. He was a Philadelphia Eagles assistant coach to Vermeil in 1978. He was the vice president of the San Francisco 49ers during the 1979 and 1980 seasons. He was the president of the Portland Breakers in 1984 and 1985.
Ralston scouted for the Seattle Seahawks in 1988 and 1989 and served three years — 1990 through 1992 — as the coordinator for Operation Discovery, a search for foreign-born football players of the World League of American Football. His search took him to the Soviet Union and a short-lived position as head coach of the Moscow Bears, the U.S.S.R’s first pro football team.
Ralston, a one-time Dale Carnegie Courses instructor, also served as an administrator for Major League Volleyball, a pro women’s volleyball league, and the general manager of the Sacramento Capitols team tennis franchise.
Ralston, a Oakland, Calif. native, was born on April 26, 1927, and spent parts of his youth in Norway, Michigan. He graduated from the University of California in 1951.
A World War II veteran, Ralston served in the Marine Corps, achieving the rank of corporal. He was stationed mainly on the S.S. Little Rock in the South Pacific.
SOME HONORS & ACCOLADES: Ralston’s lengthy list of accolades includes induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1996, the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1997, the San Jose Hall of Fame in 2001; and the Sports Halls of Fame for San Jose State, Stanford and Utah State.
As a coach, Ralston was named Stanford’s “Coach of the Century” when the university celebrated its centennial anniversary of football in 1991 and the 1973 United Press International’s American Football Conference “Coach of the Year” in his second season with the Broncos.
Ralston is survived by his daughter, Terry (Ralston) Zaffonato, four grandsons, two granddaughters, and one great granddaughter. He was predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Patty (Ward) Ralston; a son, Larry; a daughter, Sherry (Ralston) Brown, the twin sister of Terry; and Virginia Fanelli, his life partner following the passing of Patty.
A celebration of life for Ralston will be announced in the near future.
Sports Radio Service 