The weather is getting cooler, the trees are changing color, and that familiar sense of excitement is in the air. Yes, that’s right. It’s football season. Whether you’ve followed Cardinal football from the womb or you’re a bandwagon fan, our Her Campus Guide has everything you need to know to make this season our best one yet. Pasadena, here we come!*
Our Current Record
3-0, with wins over San Jose State (9/3/11 @ home: 57-3 W), Duke (9/10/11 @ Duke: 44-14 W), and Arizona (9/17/11 @ Arizona 37-10 W).
In the AP Top Ten for 9 straight weeks (longest Top 10 run ever!), Stanford is currently ranked 6th in AP & 4th in the USA Today Coaches polls. If you have no idea what that means, suffice it to say, “we’re kind of a big deal.”
The New Guy
If you didn’t follow the post-Orange Bowl drama last year (aka you’ve been living under a rock for the last 9 months), Jim Harbaugh (Palo Alto native, former quarterback for the University of Michigan (1982-1986), Chicago Bears (1987-93), Indianapolis Colts (1994-1997), Baltimore Ravens (1998), San Diego Chargers (1999-2000) and Carolina Panthers (2001); quarterback coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2003 and Stanford coach for the 2007-2011 seasons) left to coach the San Francisco 49ers.
Replacing him is Coach David Shaw, a former Cardinal receiver (1991-1994) 1995 Stanford grad (he’s the first alum head coach since Paul Wiggin!) and the Card’s Offensive Coordinator for the last four seasons. Shaw was previously the Offensive Coordinator at the University of San Diego, and also has NFL coaching experience (Philadelphia Eagles 1997, Oakland Raiders 1998-2001, Baltimore Ravens 2002-2005). All I have to say about Shaw? Can’t argue with the W. But if you’d like more information on our new coach, check out www.GoStanford.com
Bonus: Get your questions answered on the Stanford Athletics Facebook page using the “Ask Coach Shaw” feature: http://www.facebook.com/stanfordathletics
Andrew Luck
While Andrew (we’re on a first name basis…ok not really) is the first to give props to his teammates for making him look good (check out his post-game interviews from last year’s Orange Bowl for evidence) his talent is undeniable. The Runner Up for last year’s Heisman Trophy** (Curse you, Cam Newton!***), Luck was a top pick in last year’s NFL draft, but made the decision to come back to school to finish his architectural design degree, and of course, play a last season with the Cardinal. In a now-legendary quote, the star’s dad, Oliver Luck, said: “Call him old-school, but he comes from a faction of people who believe you go to college to pursue your degree.”
Can’t argue with that OR the Houston native’s ridiculous stats: 20 of 28 passes completed for 290 yards and 4 touchdowns against Duke last Saturday; .647 career completion percentage puts him first on all-time career charts for Stanford. Luck has also rushed for 818 career yards on 121 carries with 6 rushing touchdowns, and has 3 career runs over 50 yards (see #2 on “Why Andrew Luck is Amazing” for one of those runs). Luck’s overall career rushing total ranks first all-time among Stanford quarterbacks. As if we need to say more, here are 2 more reasons why Andrew Luck is amazing:
More Players to Watch
Luck isn’t the only player to watch this season. We have great players across the board this year. Read our list below, and check out player bios on www.GoStanford.com
1. #81 WR/KR Chris Owusu
2. #64 C Sam Schwartzstein
3. #52 RG David DeCastro
4. #82 TE Coby Fleener
5. #86 TE Zach Ertz
6. #11 ILB Shayne Skov
7. #33 RB Stepfan Taylor
8. #17 WR Griff Whalen
9. #44 OLB Chase Thomas
10. #26 SS Delano Howell
Get the Gear
Are you psyched up for the season yet?! If not, get in the spirit with some Cardinal duds. The best stuff is found at the Bookstore (if you’re not on campus, browse online: www.stanford.bkstr.com )or the Victoria’s Secret Collegiate Collection (hey, I’m not judging. I’m still waiting for them to come out with Stanford underwear.)—in stores only. Good luck—pun intended. See two of our favorites below:
Notes:
*You should know this. Pasadena is the site of the Rose Bowl (duh.) Stanford’s last appearance at the Rose Bowl was a 17-9 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers in 2000. For a complete breakdown of Stanford’s Rose Bowl history, see ESPN Rose Bowl History
**You really should know what the Heisman Trophy is. But if you don’t: Heisman Trophy . Also you should listen to this song by 3rd Flo)
***But if you don’t know what the Heisman is, you probably don’t know who Cam Newton is. He is the 6’6”, 250 lb Auburn quarterback who won the Heisman in 2010. Google for more info on his…eh…’academic record’.