Stanford football on Saturday
Who: Stanford (4-5, 3-4 Pac-12) at Washington State (4-5, 1-5) When: 1:30 p.m. Where: Pullman, Wash. TV/Radio: Pac-12 Network/1050 Story line: Beset by injuries to arguably its best offensive player and best defensive player, Stanford plays its final road game of the season against Washington State. Quarterback K.J. Costello, who already has missed 4½ games this season because of injuries, is out because of another injury in last Saturday’s 16-13 loss at Colorado. Cornerback Paulson Adebo also was injured in the game at Boulder. The preseason All-America selection will be out “for a while,” head coach David Shaw said. The Cougars have beaten the Cardinal in each of the past three years.
WHEN STANFORD HAS THE BALL
Davis Mills will start in place of Costello. Mills has started three games this season (two wins) and played in parts of two others. He had been dealing with a calf injury that sidelined him for the UCLA game, but he returned to practice last week. Mills’ numbers in 2019: 71-for-110 for 890 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.
Injuries have thinned Stanford’s offensive line this season, but it seems to have stabilized. Saturday’s projected starters — left tackle Walter Rouse, left guard Barrett Miller, center Drew Dalman, right guard Jake Hornibrook and right tackle Foster Sarell — have started each of the past three games. Rouse, Miller and Hornibrook are freshmen.
Washington State’s defense isn’t exactly overwhelming. The Cougars have allowed at least 33 points in each of their five Pac-12 losses. Last Saturday in Berkeley, what had been a struggling Cal offense racked up 426 yards and five touchdowns as WSU fell 33-20.
WHEN WSU HAS THE BALL
Running Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense, quarterback Anthony Gordon continues to lead the nation in passing yards per game (421.6) and touchdown passes (34). The senior, who went to Terra NovaPacifica and CCSF, has favorite targets in Easop Winston Jr. (59 receptions, 719 yards, nine TDs) and Brandon Arconado (51 catches, 721 yards, five TDs). Winston also went to CCSF after graduating from Serra High.
Gordon and Co. will face a depleted Stanford secondary. Not only is Adebo out, but free safety Malik Antoine is doubtful. Stanford’s depth chart lists either senior Obi Eboh or freshman Zahran Manley as Adebo’s replacement. Stuart Head, who started the past three games at strong safety, apparently is moving to Antoine’s free safety spot. Sophomore Kendall Williamson is listed as the starter at strong safety.
Washington State’s Blake Mazza has connected on all 15 of his field goal attempts this season, including a 50-yarder and a 51-yarder. Last year at Stanford, his 42-yarder with 19 seconds remaining lifted the Cougars to a 41-38 win.