11-23-2019, 05:16 PM
David Shaw pulled another "David Shaw." With about two and a half minutes left to go in the game, it's third and four in Cal's territory. We're already in field goal range. However, I think we all knew even if Stanford had to settle for a field goal and made it, Cal would still have plenty of time to come back and score the winning touchdown. Cal had all its time outs and its offense had moved through our "defense" like a sharp knife through butter. So, understanding this dynamic, it was clear to me - and probably many of you - that we HAD to throw the ball in an attempt to get the first down. There was no way we were going to pick up four yards on the ground. If Mills throws incomplete, we'd still have an opportunity to kick the field goal. Moreover, you tell Mills before the snap to get rid of the ball quickly to avoid any chance at a sack.
So, what does Shaw do? He takes the ball out of Mills' hands and runs it up the middle for a gain of two. We know what ensued from there. His thinking was eerily similar to his infamous call at the end of regulation in the Fiasco....er...Fiesta Bowl when, in his infinite wisdom, he took the ball out of Luck's hands and lets his field goal kicker take a shot. One I think we all knew was far short of automatic.
It should also be noted that Shaw and his staff called two time outs in the second half, leaving us with only one on the final drive.
Sure, we came into the game with a lot of injuries and there are a lot of other things that went wrong for Stanford. But, Shawvita's handling of the offense continues to kill us.
So, what does Shaw do? He takes the ball out of Mills' hands and runs it up the middle for a gain of two. We know what ensued from there. His thinking was eerily similar to his infamous call at the end of regulation in the Fiasco....er...Fiesta Bowl when, in his infinite wisdom, he took the ball out of Luck's hands and lets his field goal kicker take a shot. One I think we all knew was far short of automatic.
It should also be noted that Shaw and his staff called two time outs in the second half, leaving us with only one on the final drive.
Sure, we came into the game with a lot of injuries and there are a lot of other things that went wrong for Stanford. But, Shawvita's handling of the offense continues to kill us.

