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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 3-8 (2-6) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Tyrone Willingham Returning starters: 19 (offense 9, defense 10) Outlook Forced to play too many freshmen and sophomores last season, the Cardinal struggled. Stanford faced a similiar situation in 1994, but that team matured over the next two seasons and made it to back-to-back bowls (Liberty in '95, Sun in '96). Coach Tyrone Willingham is hoping his team is on the same cycle this season. There's no doubting the passing game, but an anemic running game and a porous defense need to be addressed early. Willingham addressed both issues in the offseason. First, he got Kerry Carter, a 225-pound running back from Canada and one of the top recruits available, to sign with the Cardinal. Then he fired defensive coordinator Bill Harris and promoted linebackers coach Kent Baer. However, a tough schedule -- the non-conference slate includes a game at Texas and Notre Dame at home -- could keep Stanford from recording its first winning season since 1996. OffenseAs usual, Stanford has an embarassment of riches at quarterback. Senior Todd Husak's 3,092 passing yards was the third-highest single-season total in school history and his 450-yard passing day against Oregon State is tops in the Cardinal record book. Behind him are Randy Fasani and Joe Borchard, but you might see all three on the field at the same time. Fasani (6-4, 235) played some tight end last year and Borchard is a dangerous runner and doubles as one of the Cardinal's top baseball players. The highlights of the passing game don't stop there. Stanford's top three receivers return -- DeRonnie Pitts (74 catches, 1,012 yards), Troy Walters (52, 880) and Dave Davis (48, 707). Walters is the biggest playmaker and recorded the school's best receiving season in '97 before an injury slowed him last year. Where improvement must be shown is in the running game. Stanford averaged a mere 75.5 yards per game, next to last in Division I-A. To show just how bad Stanford was, Coy Wire gained 298 yards on 85 carries -- and he led the team, despite missing the final five games due to injury. Carter, who played just one game in 1998 because of a teacher's strike in Ontario, spent time on campus during the summer and could be one of the few true freshmen who see playing time under Willingham. The offensive line has a superb foundation in center Mike McLaughlin (6-4, 305). A starter for three years in a row, McLaughlin could be the best lineman in the conference. If the line play is to improve, Stanford will need sophomores Zack Quaccia, Eric Heitmann and Greg Schindler to step up. Heitmann saw plenty of action as a true freshman in '98. It's a good sign if: Stanford's promising youth along the line helps expand the running game.It's a bad sign if: A regular starter can't be found at running back. Defense Worst in the conference and 104th in the nation, Stanford's defense had little to be proud of last season. There are individuals at each position who are capable of big plays, but there were too many players who were non-factors last season. Tim Smith is moving from free safety to strong safety -- he's a big hitter (109 tackles, third in the conference) who also has a nose for the ball (six interceptions, tops in the Pac-10). Three other starters return in the secondary, but only Smith is assured of his starting spot. That's because the Cardinal allowed opponents to complete 57.1 percent of their passes last season. The rushing defense wasn't any better, giving up 180.6 yards per game. Tackle Willie Howard (6-4, 290) is strong against the run but unless Stanford finds someone else who can penetrate at the point of attack, Howard's skills will be neutralized by double-teams. End Riall Johnson is moving to outside linebacker, allowing Stanford to put more bulk across the line. Sharcus Steen and Marc Stockbauer bring experience (both are fifth-year seniors) to inside linebacker. The missing ingredient has been a playmaker a la Ron George or Chris Draft. Johnson could fill that role -- he led the team in sacks (six) and tackles for loss (12) as an end last season. It's a good sign if: The nine seniors projected to start step up and play like veterans.It's a bad sign if: Smith is the leading tackler again. Special Teams With the departure of Kevin Miller, both kicking spots are up for grabs. Mike Biselli could take over at placekicker; Sean Tolpinrud and converted running back Che Holloway competed for the punting job in spring. Three freshmen will get looks in fall practice -- Jason Cooper, Greg Davis and Eric Johnson. A healthy Walters means Stanford will have one of the best punt returners in the nation. -- Greg Collins |
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