[BostonCard]

I wasn't looking closely other than noticing McCaffrey and Marx played, but per this article, four true freshmen played:

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_264...source=rss

Cornerback Terrence Alexander, offensive tackle Casey Tucker, fullback Daniel Marx and McCaffrey.

BC

[BostonCard]

I wasn't looking closely other than noticing McCaffrey and Marx played, but per this article, four true freshmen played:

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_264...source=rss

Cornerback Terrence Alexander, offensive tackle Casey Tucker, fullback Daniel Marx and McCaffrey.

BC

[needle]

Does anybody else find it a little fascinating that Marx is playing when we have two seniors (Skov and Ward) at his position?

I remember watching his high school video and being impressed, but also thinking he wasn't exactly Casey Moore speedwise (for those who remember Moore's 90+ yard run in Big Game from about 15 years ago). So, I'm guessing it's his blocking that has stood out to coaches.

[needle]

Does anybody else find it a little fascinating that Marx is playing when we have two seniors (Skov and Ward) at his position?

I remember watching his high school video and being impressed, but also thinking he wasn't exactly Casey Moore speedwise (for those who remember Moore's 90+ yard run in Big Game from about 15 years ago). So, I'm guessing it's his blocking that has stood out to coaches.

[TrumpCard]

Unfortunately, I have to wonder whether Marx burning his redshirt says something about the seniors.  Ward fumbled on his only carry and got burned on the first sack of Hogan.  And Skov never was reported to be in contention for the starting FB spot.  It seems possible to me that Marx (or maybe Tabaoda if he's able to make the same switch as Hewitt made) will end up overtaking the veterans.

[TrumpCard]

Unfortunately, I have to wonder whether Marx burning his redshirt says something about the seniors.  Ward fumbled on his only carry and got burned on the first sack of Hogan.  And Skov never was reported to be in contention for the starting FB spot.  It seems possible to me that Marx (or maybe Tabaoda if he's able to make the same switch as Hewitt made) will end up overtaking the veterans.

[Rally]

I wasn't looking closely other than noticing McCaffrey and Marx played, but per this article, four true freshmen played:

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_264...source=rss

Cornerback Terrence Alexander, offensive tackle Casey Tucker, fullback Daniel Marx and McCaffrey.

BC

I wonder if the staff has concluded that, now that we have reached elite status, those recruits who prove themselves early may likely leave early, so why not get "our money's worth," so to speak?  Just a thought. 

[Rally]

I wasn't looking closely other than noticing McCaffrey and Marx played, but per this article, four true freshmen played:

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_264...source=rss

Cornerback Terrence Alexander, offensive tackle Casey Tucker, fullback Daniel Marx and McCaffrey.

BC

I wonder if the staff has concluded that, now that we have reached elite status, those recruits who prove themselves early may likely leave early, so why not get "our money's worth," so to speak?  Just a thought. 

[oman]

I think it is a good thought ferrari.

I'm also wondering if the coaches have discussions with these guys and make a decision that redshirting could just take some of the spirit out of these youngsters more than others, even if on paper it does not seem like a wise decision.

[oman]

I think it is a good thought ferrari.

I'm also wondering if the coaches have discussions with these guys and make a decision that redshirting could just take some of the spirit out of these youngsters more than others, even if on paper it does not seem like a wise decision.

[DC]

Does anybody else find it a little fascinating that Marx is playing when we have two seniors (Skov and Ward) at his position?

I remember watching his high school video and being impressed, but also thinking he wasn't exactly Casey Moore speedwise (for those who remember Moore's 90+ yard run in Big Game from about 15 years ago). So, I'm guessing it's his blocking that has stood out to coaches.

Maybe next year they want a FB who has some game experience, rather than having never played a college down.

Or maybe they want to see how good he really is, to help in their decisions as to who to recruit.

[DC]

Does anybody else find it a little fascinating that Marx is playing when we have two seniors (Skov and Ward) at his position?

I remember watching his high school video and being impressed, but also thinking he wasn't exactly Casey Moore speedwise (for those who remember Moore's 90+ yard run in Big Game from about 15 years ago). So, I'm guessing it's his blocking that has stood out to coaches.

Maybe next year they want a FB who has some game experience, rather than having never played a college down.

Or maybe they want to see how good he really is, to help in their decisions as to who to recruit.

[OutsiderFan]

Elite programs don't even know what "burned redshirt" means.  Only marginal programs think in those terms, because the elite ones just re-load.

[OutsiderFan]

Elite programs don't even know what "burned redshirt" means.  Only marginal programs think in those terms, because the elite ones just re-load.

[Hank 91]

I've always felt that with elite players, it's always a good idea to burn that shirt. Look at Andrus Peat. There's no way he'll be wearing a Stanford uniform two years from now, and I think the coaches knew that. If they had held him out during his freshman year, they would have gained absolutely nothing. The same might be true for McCaffrey. If you've got a true freshman who's good enough to help the team, there's a pretty strong likelihood that he'll be good enough four years later to help an NFL team.

[Hank 91]

I've always felt that with elite players, it's always a good idea to burn that shirt. Look at Andrus Peat. There's no way he'll be wearing a Stanford uniform two years from now, and I think the coaches knew that. If they had held him out during his freshman year, they would have gained absolutely nothing. The same might be true for McCaffrey. If you've got a true freshman who's good enough to help the team, there's a pretty strong likelihood that he'll be good enough four years later to help an NFL team.

[Hey]

I love all the replies to this post.  I'll add one more possible reason Marx played, it's a great sales pitch to recruits.  They've been the stars for most of their high school career and aren't used to being on the bench.  Knowing that they have an opportunity to get playing time right away is very appealing.  Whatever the real reason may be, I'm sure the pro's and con's were all looked at closely by Shaw and staff.

Jim Harbaugh had a response to this:

“The burn shirt thing — I don't know what that's about. You get an opportunity to play, you play.  Football players get better by playing football."

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/11984611/The...aily-92309

I pretty much stopped worrying about playing freshmen after I saw his take on it.

In response to needle, that Casey Moore run was ridiculous.  Off the top of my head, I can't think of any other Stanford FB's with that kind of speed.  I don't even know who the second fastest FB would be after him.  Greg Hooper? 

[Hey]

I love all the replies to this post.  I'll add one more possible reason Marx played, it's a great sales pitch to recruits.  They've been the stars for most of their high school career and aren't used to being on the bench.  Knowing that they have an opportunity to get playing time right away is very appealing.  Whatever the real reason may be, I'm sure the pro's and con's were all looked at closely by Shaw and staff.

Jim Harbaugh had a response to this:

“The burn shirt thing — I don't know what that's about. You get an opportunity to play, you play.  Football players get better by playing football."

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/11984611/The...aily-92309

I pretty much stopped worrying about playing freshmen after I saw his take on it.

In response to needle, that Casey Moore run was ridiculous.  Off the top of my head, I can't think of any other Stanford FB's with that kind of speed.  I don't even know who the second fastest FB would be after him.  Greg Hooper? 

[BostonCard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOzRGH_8Ops

Yes, Casey Moore was keeping ahead of a Cal defensive back.

BC

[BostonCard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOzRGH_8Ops

Yes, Casey Moore was keeping ahead of a Cal defensive back.

BC

[standfan]

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/...-in-week-1

From 0 by OSU to 11 by USC.

[standfan]

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/...-in-week-1

From 0 by OSU to 11 by USC.

[stupac2]

IIRC you can redshirt while playing in some number of games. Is that just medical? I thought it was both.

[stupac2]

IIRC you can redshirt while playing in some number of games. Is that just medical? I thought it was both.

[fullmetal]

I think that's medical.

[fullmetal]

I think that's medical.

[terry]

IIRC you can redshirt while playing in some number of games. Is that just medical? I thought it was both.

A player who appears in a game uses a year of eligibility, even if he's on the field for just for one play. No redshirt year is allowed after appearing in a game.

The medical exception says that if a player has appeared in no more than four games, and he suffers an injury in the first half of the season, and the injury is season-ending, and he hasn't already used a redshirt year, then he can get another year of eligibility.

[terry]

IIRC you can redshirt while playing in some number of games. Is that just medical? I thought it was both.

A player who appears in a game uses a year of eligibility, even if he's on the field for just for one play. No redshirt year is allowed after appearing in a game.

The medical exception says that if a player has appeared in no more than four games, and he suffers an injury in the first half of the season, and the injury is season-ending, and he hasn't already used a redshirt year, then he can get another year of eligibility.

[OutsiderFan]

True frosh college football players suffer some pretty nasty hang nail injuries at this time of year.

[OutsiderFan]

True frosh college football players suffer some pretty nasty hang nail injuries at this time of year.

[81alum]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOzRGH_8Ops

Yes, Casey Moore was keeping ahead of a Low APR U defensive back.

BC

That run is one of my best in-person Big Game memories. 

I took my Mom, a C.al grad, and my Dad, a Michigan grad, to that game and we sat in a "mixed" section.  Both of them were in their late 70s by that point and reaching the age where they would not be climbing around many more stadia.  Mom was no football fanatic of any sort, and was coming along to keep her son company.  Dad was attempting to be as neutral as possible so as to keep the family peace.  By the end of that run both of them were standing and cheering wildly.

"Mom, you know you were cheering for the wrong side?"

"Oh was I?  But that young man ran all the way down the field.  I think he deserved it."

[81alum]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOzRGH_8Ops

Yes, Casey Moore was keeping ahead of a Low APR U defensive back.

BC

That run is one of my best in-person Big Game memories. 

I took my Mom, a C.al grad, and my Dad, a Michigan grad, to that game and we sat in a "mixed" section.  Both of them were in their late 70s by that point and reaching the age where they would not be climbing around many more stadia.  Mom was no football fanatic of any sort, and was coming along to keep her son company.  Dad was attempting to be as neutral as possible so as to keep the family peace.  By the end of that run both of them were standing and cheering wildly.

"Mom, you know you were cheering for the wrong side?"

"Oh was I?  But that young man ran all the way down the field.  I think he deserved it."

[Leftcoast]

Great find - Moore wasn't going to be caught that day! 

What's up with the "Big Game 1975" title? 

[Leftcoast]

Great find - Moore wasn't going to be caught that day! 

What's up with the "Big Game 1975" title? 

[terry]

True frosh college football players suffer some pretty nasty hang nail injuries at this time of year.

The NCAA's medical redshirt rule requires that a player's application for a medical redshirt must be supported by documentation from a medical doctor showing that the player's injury was season-ending. It's not enough for the coaching staff or the trainer to claim that there was an injury. I suppose some programs probably have relationships with doctors who will certify anything, but at least the NCAA has made some effort to prevent abuse of this rule. I'm not aware of any program that has been accused of routinely using true freshmen in the first half of the season, then claiming fake injuries to allow them to redshirt.

[terry]

True frosh college football players suffer some pretty nasty hang nail injuries at this time of year.

The NCAA's medical redshirt rule requires that a player's application for a medical redshirt must be supported by documentation from a medical doctor showing that the player's injury was season-ending. It's not enough for the coaching staff or the trainer to claim that there was an injury. I suppose some programs probably have relationships with doctors who will certify anything, but at least the NCAA has made some effort to prevent abuse of this rule. I'm not aware of any program that has been accused of routinely using true freshmen in the first half of the season, then claiming fake injuries to allow them to redshirt.

[Langdude]

Off the top of my head, I can't think of any other Stanford FB's with that kind of speed.  I don't even know who the second fastest FB would be after him.  Greg Hooper?

That got me thinking. Loved Casey Moore. But we've had some other relatively athletic/fast fullbacks. Greg Comella, Ethan "Furniture Store" Allen, and J.J. Lasley come to mind. I'd guess Lasley was the fastest. In fact, in 1992, Glyn Milburn's senior year, they used Ellery Roberts at halfback, with a smaller Lasley at fullback in front of him. I always thought it looked funny.

-m.

[Langdude]

Off the top of my head, I can't think of any other Stanford FB's with that kind of speed.  I don't even know who the second fastest FB would be after him.  Greg Hooper?

That got me thinking. Loved Casey Moore. But we've had some other relatively athletic/fast fullbacks. Greg Comella, Ethan "Furniture Store" Allen, and J.J. Lasley come to mind. I'd guess Lasley was the fastest. In fact, in 1992, Glyn Milburn's senior year, they used Ellery Roberts at halfback, with a smaller Lasley at fullback in front of him. I always thought it looked funny.

-m.

[pefloresjr]

[quote author=Boston Card link=topic=10493.msg96103#msg96103 date=1409539048]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOzRGH_8Ops

Yes, Casey Moore was keeping ahead of a Low APR U defensive back.

BC

That run is one of my best in-person Big Game memories. 

I took my Mom, a C.al grad, and my Dad, a Michigan grad, to that game and we sat in a "mixed" section.  Both of them were in their late 70s by that point and reaching the age where they would not be climbing around many more stadia.  Mom was no football fanatic of any sort, and was coming along to keep her son company.  Dad was attempting to be as neutral as possible so as to keep the family peace.  By the end of that run both of them were standing and cheering wildly.

"Mom, you know you were cheering for the wrong side?"

"Oh was I?  But that young man ran all the way down the field.  I think he deserved it."
[/quote]

I'll never forget that run.  I thought he was definitely going to get caught but I found myself yelling "Run! Run! Run!" at the top of my lungs until he made it all the way down the field.  I was ecstatic and my friends thought it was hilarious the way I shouted him to the endzone.  Now, whenever one of our backs breaks free, I have you yell to make sure he doesn't get caught from behind. 

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

[quote author=Boston Card link=topic=10493.msg96103#msg96103 date=1409539048]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOzRGH_8Ops

Yes, Casey Moore was keeping ahead of a Low APR U defensive back.

BC

That run is one of my best in-person Big Game memories. 

I took my Mom, a C.al grad, and my Dad, a Michigan grad, to that game and we sat in a "mixed" section.  Both of them were in their late 70s by that point and reaching the age where they would not be climbing around many more stadia.  Mom was no football fanatic of any sort, and was coming along to keep her son company.  Dad was attempting to be as neutral as possible so as to keep the family peace.  By the end of that run both of them were standing and cheering wildly.

"Mom, you know you were cheering for the wrong side?"

"Oh was I?  But that young man ran all the way down the field.  I think he deserved it."
[/quote]

I'll never forget that run.  I thought he was definitely going to get caught but I found myself yelling "Run! Run! Run!" at the top of my lungs until he made it all the way down the field.  I was ecstatic and my friends thought it was hilarious the way I shouted him to the endzone.  Now, whenever one of our backs breaks free, I have you yell to make sure he doesn't get caught from behind. 

Cheers,
Pete F.