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Random thoughts about the Arizona game - Printable Version

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Random thoughts about the Arizona game - terry - 11-07-2010

Random thoughts . . .

1. That was a big-time, old-fashioned, exhibition of smash-mouth football. The tougher, more physical team imposed its will. Wow, that was just fun to watch. I gather from some of the comments on this board that ABC cut away from Stanford\'s last touchdown drive in parts of the country. That\'s really too bad, because that drive was really something to behold. Stanford ran the ball on every play. On most of the plays, Stanford had 6 or 7 or 8 offensive linemen on the field, and most of the guys who weren\'t offensive linemen were tight ends. Stanford just lined up and said "We\'re running the ball, and you can\'t stop us." And then we ran it. All the way down the field. Wow.

2. What a great game by Chris Owusu. I think that\'s probably his best game as a receiver -- 9 catches, 165 yards, 1 TD, 12 rushing yards, and a spectacular, diving, juggling 34 yard catch on third-and-long. Just a tremendous game. He brings a big-play dimension to this offense. With a healthy Owusu, we really have a very interesting, formidable offense.

3. What else is there to say about Andrew Luck? Yet another terrific game. No sacks, no interceptions, great decision-making, some great throws, some key running plays. But of course, you could say that just about every week. He is sensational.

4.  I\'ve given up trying to predict our offense. We keep bringing out new wrinkles, new looks -- we\'re running plays that we haven\'t showed all year long. And then, when we get tired of out-thinking the other side, we just line up and out-physical the other side. It must be a %&*$# to prepare to face this offense.

5.  Stepfan Taylor had another tough, productive night. He had 82 yards (plus 12 receiving yards) and he tied a school record with 4 rushing TDs (tied with Darrin Nelson, Tommy Vardell, Kerry Carter, and Toby Gerhart). And how about Wilkerson? His role is expanding with every game. Really nice running on a couple of plays tonight. He still has some things to learn, but I\'m feeling good about his future.

6. Sione Fua is a beast. We\'re lucky to have him.

7.  The key to the game, I think, was the ability of the defense to do just enough at just the right times, keeping the Arizona offense in check. No, it wasn\'t near-perfect defense like we saw last week -- we didn\'t shut them down, we let them run too effectively, and we looked really bad at times in the second half. But holding Arizona to 3 points in the first half was brobdingnagian. We never let them get close after that. And the defense came up with some key plays at the right times (such as Keiser\'s deflection on 4th and goal, the sack/grounding call, Sherman\'s pick, etc.). It helped that Arizona\'s receivers had some trouble hanging on to the ball. If someone had told me we could hold Arizona to 17 points, I would have taken it in a heartbeat.

8. I love the fact that this team played like it was ready for prime time. Literally. This game, in prime time back east, may be the only time some of those east coast media types see Stanford on TV this year, and our team delivered. They really stepped up in a key game and produced.

9. I wouldn\'t want to catch a pass anywhere near Delano Howell.

10.  Bademosi didn\'t play at all. Apparently wasn\'t suited up due to injury. Michael Thomas started in Bademosi\'s place at CB, with Skaufel at safety in Thomas\' normal spot. In the nickel, Barry Browning came in at CB, with Thomas sliding over to cover the slot receiver as the nickel back. After Arizona burned us on a couple of TD drives in the second half, Browning was replaced by Quinn Evans. Harold Bernard was the dime back, I believe.

11. We\'re 8-1! Just let that sink in for a minute. . . . Unfortunately, next week has "letdown game" written all over it. I hope our guys can stay motivated. We\'re so close to a great season. . . . I just want to see them bring their "A" game and finish these last 3 games of the regular season strong.

12. A really nice, satisfying, tough, physical, win in front of a good, lively crowd. That\'s our 16th win in the last 18 home games, if I recall correctly. This is fun!

Changing tastes - Redrum - 11-07-2010

I remember 20-yrs. ago watching the Vardell/Northwest Road Warriors team bludgeon its way to a pretty good season.   Although the victory over Kal was viscerally emphatic.  During that season and that game I remember feeling kinda bored.   I became a Stanford fan watching Gene Washington, Plunkett, Vataha, Bunce, Tony Hill and on through Benjamin, Elway et al.   Stanford made its move out of misery by passing while other teams were running. (OK, OK they were passing , too,  but you know what I mean)  Anyway, that was my firmly held concept of what Stanford football was.

But last night (like every game this season) sitting on the couch my wife had to put up with my narrative/coaching,  shouting at whoever was carrying the ball "Now! Turn up, turn up!" and then cheering when another first down was made.   Those first downs are addictive little buggers.  Who knew they could be so much fun?  Finally, after decades, we have found the antidote to Stanford\'s traditional defense disease.   Just don\'t play defense that much.  Showed it vs. Arizona.

The hardest part is having to pretend I\'m sad when Bama loses.   Our youngest daughter went to Baton Rouge for the game and afterwards got to watch one of her sorority sisters get put in the back of a police car.   At least it wasn\'t her.   I root for Bama because...well, because why not?  The only thing it costs me is having to pretend I care and I\'d rather have happy relatives and co-workers than grumpy relatives and co-workers.   But  one good, long drive from Luck and company gives me more pleasure than a whole winning streak in Tuscaloosa.  All you guys in the Bay Area are lucky bastards and I hope you know it every waking moment.

Re: Random thoughts about the Arizona game - Pastor - 11-07-2010

loved, loved, LOVED the defensive line calling in the first half..given enough time and talent (and a secondary) Vic should be able to craft a truly exciting and chilling efense.

Re: Random thoughts about the Arizona game - Spiny_Norman - 11-07-2010

What defense was Stanford running on a couple of those key 3rd down plays in the 1st half?  1-4-6?  1-5-5?  They had 1 down lineman - Fua.  Arizona had no idea which of the other 10 guys was going to rush the passer.  It was very effective.  Stanford\'s unpredictable pressure seemed to rattle Foles into some poor throws later in the game too.  

Maybe it is just coincidence, but the defense the last two weeks with Howell back in the lineup certainly seemed to have a different tone.