Costello’s ‘awesome’ play boosts Cardinal
Despite Stanford’s one-sided win over Oregon State on Saturday night, questions remain about the Cardinal’s ground game, defense and kicking game going into Saturday’s 121st Big Game in Berkeley.
There are no questions about their quarterback.
Redshirt sophomore K.J. Costello was “awesome” in the 48-17 trouncing of the Beavers, head coach David Shaw said.
On four consecutive series in the first half, he threw touchdown passes to tight end Colby Parkinson.
“He’s going to put the ball where it needs to be, he’s going to give you a shot to go up and get it,” Parkinson said. “This is stuff we’ve been working on for a year and a half now.”
Costello completed 23 passes in 33 attempts for 342 yards. He is the third Cardinal in history to have six 300-yard passing games in a season, joining John Elway (six in 1982) and Steve Stenstrom (eight in 1993).
Costello leads the Pac-12 in passing efficiency (153.1). With 279.1 yards per game, he ranks second — to Washington State’s Gardner Minshew (385.2). Costello’s also second in accuracy (67 percent) and tied for third in touchdown passes (19).
In the past four games, Costello has completed 73 percent of his passes for 11 touchdowns and an average of 311 yards. On Nov. 3, he threw two first-half interceptions against Washington and another on a Hail Mary pass at the end of the game.
Costello also threw an interception late in the first half Saturday night. His protection broke down, and his rushed pass deflected off Cameron Scarlett’s hands to linebacker Shemar Smith, leading to a field goal.
“Besides that, I thought he was in control, made some great throws,” Shaw said.
Costello also had a 45-yard scramble for the longest run of his career. He could have gone out of bounds earlier but didn’t. He paid the price by taking a big hit from Smith.
His performance helped the seniors finish their home careers with a 20-5 record.
“It was great to see us put together a full game go out and win for the seniors,” Parkinson said.
There was some question Saturday whether the smoke from the Camp Fire in Butte County would allow the game to be played. Shaw said he was “glad the winds were what they were so we were able to get the game under way.” He said the team’s “thoughts and prayers” were with the victims of the fire
No. 8 Washington State (9-1, 6-1) is the only Pac-12 team with even a remote chance of making the College Football Playoff. The Cougars host Arizona on Saturday night, then host the Apple Cup game with No. 17 Washington on Nov. 23. Asked last week if he would root for the Cougars to run the table, Shaw said he wasn’t rooting for anybody except his team.
“If they do it, great,” said Shaw, adding “If anybody deserves accolades and awards and opportunities for big things, it’s that doggone quarterback (Gardner Minshew). That’s kid’s playing his heart out every single week.”