Ultimately a win is a win and Stanford breaks its two game losing streak. There were some things to like and also some areas of frustration for the Cardinal.
First, KJ Costello showed grit and composure to put together a clean, effective game even after his throwing hand was stepped on when he kept (!) on a read option. He completed 22-of-29 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown. His longest run was 13 yards to convert a third down when he smartly and decisively tucked the ball on a third and long scramble. He took one sack but a combination of solid pass protection, good movement within the pocket and blitz pickups by the running backs gave him time to find his targets.
Paulson Adebo spent a lot of time matched up against arguably the top wide receiver prospect for the upcoming NFL draft and had several impressive plays against N'Keal Harry. His interception was a gift and he deserved one for his work this season. He's improving in run support and chased down Manny Wilkins after the quarterback evaded his corner blitz. He has the potential to be a great one. Maybe the best of the Akina era at Stanford.
Trent Irwin is benefitting from Stanford's need to throw the ball around more. He's playing at a high level and showing why he has a real shot to play in the NFL. JJ Arcega-Whiteside understandably grabs the headlines but Irwin is more than just "Mr. Reliable". He can make plays and in a different offense would have had a lot more catches the past three years.
Now, "Mr. Outlier" (referencing the Bleacher Report article) is a first-team all conference caliber player. His play to truck several defensive backs called to mind Tank Williams destroying several Bruins. He's a physically imposing player on the college level.
Stanford's defense had some bend and don't break to it tonight. But the key was the turnovers. Bobby Okereke's fumble was the best play in terms of forcing the issue compared to poor throws/decisions leading to the interceptions. Wilkins' accuracy went haywire after a great start through the first half. He appeared on track to continue Stanford's misery of allowing better than 70 percent completion by opposing quarterbacks. But Lance Anderson chose his moments to bring pressure and Wilkins did no handle it the way I'd expect from a fifth year.
It was good for the Cardinal to get Casey Toohill back. He had 1.5 TFL and half a sack. Gabe Reid (one sack and one TFL) and Jordan Fox (one TFL) also flashed on plays. The Cardinal are headed toward an encouraging situation with its OLB depth chart to have four guys who can get after the quarterback. It's also a great sign for next year from a group that has played the entire season without Curtis Robinson.
I was surprised that ASU didn't go to Eno Benjamin more often. He only carried the ball 11 times for 38 yards. It seems Herm Edwards' crew fell for the temptation of throwing at Stanford's give-up-short-passes scheme and went away from a previously effective run game. Stanford's struggles the past three weeks should have led to a different approach by ASU.
Cameron Scarlett looked his best of the season in the third quarter. He was dynamic with his cuts and vision that allowed him to get some extra yards. He's not a sprinter but we knew that already. But he's dependable, can catch the ball out of the backfield and would be productive over the course of a season behind an OL that can win the line of scrimmage consistently.
Trevor Speights is not a highlight reel back in the sense that he'll outrace people or dazzle with fancy footwork. But he'll have some highlights from running through people or stonewalling them on blitz pickup. There were things to like from his performance tonight from his two catches out of the backfield, pass protection and tough runs that he finished falling forward.
Stanford threw the ball five times to running backs for a total of 49 yards.
Now the bad:
Stanford's offensive strategy in the fourth quarter effectively erased the positive momentum created by four straight scoring drives. Stanford punted on its first four possessions and then scored two straight field goals and then two touchdowns. Those drives produced 294 of Stanford's 358 yards. There was balance and the beginning of establishing space up front for the running backs to be effective.
Stanford started a drive in the third quarter with 1:50 remaining and tried to move down the field with the pass and run. But Stanford's then attempted to turtle. Shaw has repeatedly said that when he has a two touchdown lead in the fourth quarter they want to run on first and second and, if need be, throw on third. Stanford at one point ran 10 straight on the ground for a combined -1 yards.
That approach seemed to visibly suck the energy out of the offense that was showing good body language after the second touchdown.
Shaw's tendency to use that approach has been discussed at length on this forum. The problem tonight was that it nearly allowed Arizona State to tie the game. This defense is not the dominant unit that Shaw could lean on in the past to carry the torch for the final 15 minutes of a game Stanford is winning. But he called the game like it is that type of team. This staff wants to operate as if it's business as usual when there are other ways to be effective.
First, KJ Costello showed grit and composure to put together a clean, effective game even after his throwing hand was stepped on when he kept (!) on a read option. He completed 22-of-29 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown. His longest run was 13 yards to convert a third down when he smartly and decisively tucked the ball on a third and long scramble. He took one sack but a combination of solid pass protection, good movement within the pocket and blitz pickups by the running backs gave him time to find his targets.
Paulson Adebo spent a lot of time matched up against arguably the top wide receiver prospect for the upcoming NFL draft and had several impressive plays against N'Keal Harry. His interception was a gift and he deserved one for his work this season. He's improving in run support and chased down Manny Wilkins after the quarterback evaded his corner blitz. He has the potential to be a great one. Maybe the best of the Akina era at Stanford.
Trent Irwin is benefitting from Stanford's need to throw the ball around more. He's playing at a high level and showing why he has a real shot to play in the NFL. JJ Arcega-Whiteside understandably grabs the headlines but Irwin is more than just "Mr. Reliable". He can make plays and in a different offense would have had a lot more catches the past three years.
Now, "Mr. Outlier" (referencing the Bleacher Report article) is a first-team all conference caliber player. His play to truck several defensive backs called to mind Tank Williams destroying several Bruins. He's a physically imposing player on the college level.
Stanford's defense had some bend and don't break to it tonight. But the key was the turnovers. Bobby Okereke's fumble was the best play in terms of forcing the issue compared to poor throws/decisions leading to the interceptions. Wilkins' accuracy went haywire after a great start through the first half. He appeared on track to continue Stanford's misery of allowing better than 70 percent completion by opposing quarterbacks. But Lance Anderson chose his moments to bring pressure and Wilkins did no handle it the way I'd expect from a fifth year.
It was good for the Cardinal to get Casey Toohill back. He had 1.5 TFL and half a sack. Gabe Reid (one sack and one TFL) and Jordan Fox (one TFL) also flashed on plays. The Cardinal are headed toward an encouraging situation with its OLB depth chart to have four guys who can get after the quarterback. It's also a great sign for next year from a group that has played the entire season without Curtis Robinson.
I was surprised that ASU didn't go to Eno Benjamin more often. He only carried the ball 11 times for 38 yards. It seems Herm Edwards' crew fell for the temptation of throwing at Stanford's give-up-short-passes scheme and went away from a previously effective run game. Stanford's struggles the past three weeks should have led to a different approach by ASU.
Cameron Scarlett looked his best of the season in the third quarter. He was dynamic with his cuts and vision that allowed him to get some extra yards. He's not a sprinter but we knew that already. But he's dependable, can catch the ball out of the backfield and would be productive over the course of a season behind an OL that can win the line of scrimmage consistently.
Trevor Speights is not a highlight reel back in the sense that he'll outrace people or dazzle with fancy footwork. But he'll have some highlights from running through people or stonewalling them on blitz pickup. There were things to like from his performance tonight from his two catches out of the backfield, pass protection and tough runs that he finished falling forward.
Stanford threw the ball five times to running backs for a total of 49 yards.
Now the bad:
Stanford's offensive strategy in the fourth quarter effectively erased the positive momentum created by four straight scoring drives. Stanford punted on its first four possessions and then scored two straight field goals and then two touchdowns. Those drives produced 294 of Stanford's 358 yards. There was balance and the beginning of establishing space up front for the running backs to be effective.
Stanford started a drive in the third quarter with 1:50 remaining and tried to move down the field with the pass and run. But Stanford's then attempted to turtle. Shaw has repeatedly said that when he has a two touchdown lead in the fourth quarter they want to run on first and second and, if need be, throw on third. Stanford at one point ran 10 straight on the ground for a combined -1 yards.
That approach seemed to visibly suck the energy out of the offense that was showing good body language after the second touchdown.
Shaw's tendency to use that approach has been discussed at length on this forum. The problem tonight was that it nearly allowed Arizona State to tie the game. This defense is not the dominant unit that Shaw could lean on in the past to carry the torch for the final 15 minutes of a game Stanford is winning. But he called the game like it is that type of team. This staff wants to operate as if it's business as usual when there are other ways to be effective.
