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Stanford may still be a year away By Ted Miller Special to ESPN.com |
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Stanford Cardinal
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Coach: Buddy Teevens (2-9, 2nd season) 2002 overall record: 2-9 Conference record: 1-7 Returning starters Offense: 3 Defense: 8 Kicker/Punter: 2 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Kerry Carter (524 yds) Passing: Kyle Matter* (1,219 yds) Receiving: Teyo Johnson (467 yds) Tackles: Oshiomogho Otagwe* (71) Sacks: Amon Gordon* (4) Interceptions: Leigh Torrence* and Oshiomogho Otagwe* (3 each) Outlook: Stanford absolutely killed San Jose State last year, something they struggled to do under former coach Tyrone Willingham, who's now with some other program. That was about the only good news coming out of Buddy Teevens' first season. This year might be worse. No returning player earned even honorable mention all-conference honors. Teevens' two best players, offensive tackle Kwame Harris and receiver Teyo Johnson, opted to enter the NFL draft early. Just three starters are back from an offense that ranked last in yards per game and ninth in scoring in the conference. Two freshmen and a sophomore will start on the offensive line. While eight starters return on defense, that unit gave up a conference-worst 34.3 points per game. Teevens retooled his staff, with new faces at both coordinators. He also wisely announced that senior Chris Lewis, who battled Teevens and injuries last year, will be his starting quarterback. Luke Powell is an undersized but quick receiver, but the best hope for the passing game may be tight ends Brett Pierce and Alex Smith. Tailbacks Kenneth Tolon and J.R. Lemon have little experience and won't scare anyone. The defense has experience, but that won't mean anything if they don't tackle better. Junior Amon Gordon has move from end to tackle, and he carries his 275 pounds well. Oshiomogho Atogwe has moved to free safety after leading the defense in tackles as a strong safety. Sophomore outside linebacker Michael Craven is talented. Looking at the schedule, it's hard to find more than two or perhaps three wins. Stanford fans already are pretty mellow. They might completely forget this team if it loses three consecutive road games (BYU, Washington and USC) during the season's first half. Key game: The Big Game on Nov. 22 vs. California. The Cardinal figures to face a very difficult climb toward respectability. Beating their archrivals -- also a team with many issues -- at home might be critical for Teevens to keep his job. Keep an eye on: The running game. Stanford has inexperienced backs and just one starter back on the offensive line. With the quarterback situation tenuous and the receivers mediocre, the Cardinal needs to find a way to control the football. It's a good year if. . .: The year isn't a complete disaster and Teevens keeps his job. Stanford should be much more competitive in 2004, and it would be too bad if a new coach gets to benefit. Ted Miller covers the Pac-10 for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
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