Where to start ....
Before anything else, this was the Solomon Thomas show with a superior supporting actor nod to Dallas Lloyd. Two of the standout leaders on the team produced majestic games that definitely mark the end of one career, Lloyd, and possibly another, Thomas. As far as final performances go there won't be many more worthy of a standing ovation.
In some ways it was a fitting final game to what at times has been a bizarre season for Stanford. The Cardinal finished 2016 10-3 with a 25-23 win over a North Carolina Tar Heels team led by Mitch Trubisky, a quarterback some believe to be the top NFL prospect at his position.
Stanford has won at least 10 games six times since 2010. David Shaw has four bowl wins, the most in Stanford history. The Cardinal will likely finish in the top 15 -- which makes 2014 the only season since 2010 that the Cardinal weren't considered at least one of the 15 best teams in the country by various voting bodies.
There's no denying this wasn't a perfect season. It didn't go exactly to plan. And Stanford won the Sun Bowl despite gaining less than 300 yards of offense and committing 12 penalties.
But the Cardinal played without Christian McCaffrey, Zach Hoffpauir and Casey Tucker. Then tragedy struck for Keller Chryst and the young man's misfortune cast the game into a tailspin for Stanford.
Any hope of a Chryst-led offense using the game as a launch platform into next year was lost with one plant of his right foot on a run play.
For all the focus that is sure to be brought to bear on Stanford's offensive struggles, when the game started the story was that North Carolina went through Stanford's defense with disturbing ease. But that's not completely new under Lance Anderson's stewardship of the defense. An opposing offense has days or weeks to prepare and lands a great punch against Stanford. But, as Thomas would know in boxing, you better knock Anderson flat with that punch. Because otherwise it just let's him see your best shot.
The next drive for the Tar Heels showed what so often has been true of Stanford's defense in recent years: The group adjusted and stiffened.
North Carolina went backwards and Trubisky ended the first half with fewer passing yards than what Stanford produced despite losing Chryst. T.J. Logan averaged 3.8 yards a carry for the Tar Heels and Trubisky had to work hard for every yard, making several spectacular plays to extend drives or score a touchdown.
Stanford had an opportunity to put the game further out of reach but went 0-5 on scoring touchdowns in the red zone. In several cases penalties drove the Cardinal backward more effectively than the North Carolina defense. But Conrad Ukropina, who should be remembered as one of the best kickers in Stanford history, made four field goals and improbably had a fourth kick this year bounce off the left upright.
For everything that was a struggle for Stanford's offense -- and many questions remain about that unit heading into next year -- the play of Bryce Love included a wheel route touchdown reception. It was a play that Love was not asked to do with McCaffrey on the field and on his first try he didn't squander a perfect play for a touchdown. And Love's speed presents enticing possibilities of what he can accomplish running behind an improved line and fullbacks Daniel Marx and Reagan Williams.
Stanford's defense has potential to be special if Thomas returns, but more than likely the Cardinal have to settle for only being great without him. Harrison Phillips was in Thomas' shadow today but he finished with a team leading nine tackles and two TFL. He also had a quarterback hurry. Phillips is critical to the Cardinal's defense going forward and has a chance to grab headlines of his own if he can stay healthy.
Kevin Palma, Bobby Okereke (who had 7 tackles, a sack and TFL), Mustafa Branch, Sean Barton and Jordan Perez return at ILB. Peter Kalambayi can return along with Casey Toohill, Joey Alfieri and Curtis Robinson. Add in the positive noise about Jordan Fox and there a number of players who were on the field in El Paso or waiting in the wings to build a highly productive linebacker corps.
The defensive backs held up well against a top quarterback prospect. Quenton Meeks was burned once by an NFL caliber athlete in Ryan Switzer. After that he held his own and will be rejoined by Alijah Holder next season. At safety Justin Reid showed the physicality in run support that can help make him a complete player.
There are plenty of questions that need answers for next season. But Stanford fans can wait for answers after finishing a season that saw the team fight through imperfections and injuries to keep the train on the right track.
Before anything else, this was the Solomon Thomas show with a superior supporting actor nod to Dallas Lloyd. Two of the standout leaders on the team produced majestic games that definitely mark the end of one career, Lloyd, and possibly another, Thomas. As far as final performances go there won't be many more worthy of a standing ovation.
In some ways it was a fitting final game to what at times has been a bizarre season for Stanford. The Cardinal finished 2016 10-3 with a 25-23 win over a North Carolina Tar Heels team led by Mitch Trubisky, a quarterback some believe to be the top NFL prospect at his position.
Stanford has won at least 10 games six times since 2010. David Shaw has four bowl wins, the most in Stanford history. The Cardinal will likely finish in the top 15 -- which makes 2014 the only season since 2010 that the Cardinal weren't considered at least one of the 15 best teams in the country by various voting bodies.
There's no denying this wasn't a perfect season. It didn't go exactly to plan. And Stanford won the Sun Bowl despite gaining less than 300 yards of offense and committing 12 penalties.
But the Cardinal played without Christian McCaffrey, Zach Hoffpauir and Casey Tucker. Then tragedy struck for Keller Chryst and the young man's misfortune cast the game into a tailspin for Stanford.
Any hope of a Chryst-led offense using the game as a launch platform into next year was lost with one plant of his right foot on a run play.
For all the focus that is sure to be brought to bear on Stanford's offensive struggles, when the game started the story was that North Carolina went through Stanford's defense with disturbing ease. But that's not completely new under Lance Anderson's stewardship of the defense. An opposing offense has days or weeks to prepare and lands a great punch against Stanford. But, as Thomas would know in boxing, you better knock Anderson flat with that punch. Because otherwise it just let's him see your best shot.
The next drive for the Tar Heels showed what so often has been true of Stanford's defense in recent years: The group adjusted and stiffened.
North Carolina went backwards and Trubisky ended the first half with fewer passing yards than what Stanford produced despite losing Chryst. T.J. Logan averaged 3.8 yards a carry for the Tar Heels and Trubisky had to work hard for every yard, making several spectacular plays to extend drives or score a touchdown.
Stanford had an opportunity to put the game further out of reach but went 0-5 on scoring touchdowns in the red zone. In several cases penalties drove the Cardinal backward more effectively than the North Carolina defense. But Conrad Ukropina, who should be remembered as one of the best kickers in Stanford history, made four field goals and improbably had a fourth kick this year bounce off the left upright.
For everything that was a struggle for Stanford's offense -- and many questions remain about that unit heading into next year -- the play of Bryce Love included a wheel route touchdown reception. It was a play that Love was not asked to do with McCaffrey on the field and on his first try he didn't squander a perfect play for a touchdown. And Love's speed presents enticing possibilities of what he can accomplish running behind an improved line and fullbacks Daniel Marx and Reagan Williams.
Stanford's defense has potential to be special if Thomas returns, but more than likely the Cardinal have to settle for only being great without him. Harrison Phillips was in Thomas' shadow today but he finished with a team leading nine tackles and two TFL. He also had a quarterback hurry. Phillips is critical to the Cardinal's defense going forward and has a chance to grab headlines of his own if he can stay healthy.
Kevin Palma, Bobby Okereke (who had 7 tackles, a sack and TFL), Mustafa Branch, Sean Barton and Jordan Perez return at ILB. Peter Kalambayi can return along with Casey Toohill, Joey Alfieri and Curtis Robinson. Add in the positive noise about Jordan Fox and there a number of players who were on the field in El Paso or waiting in the wings to build a highly productive linebacker corps.
The defensive backs held up well against a top quarterback prospect. Quenton Meeks was burned once by an NFL caliber athlete in Ryan Switzer. After that he held his own and will be rejoined by Alijah Holder next season. At safety Justin Reid showed the physicality in run support that can help make him a complete player.
There are plenty of questions that need answers for next season. But Stanford fans can wait for answers after finishing a season that saw the team fight through imperfections and injuries to keep the train on the right track.
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