Stanford’s Shaw: Loss in ’ 19 ‘ awful’
Stanford head coach David Shaw remembers all of the specifics of last year’s Big Game. Except one. Shaw purposely forgot the name of Cal’s No. 89, the linebacker who had 13 tackles and a key play against Colby Parkinson as the Bears ended the Cardinal’s ninegame winning streak in the series.
“I think I blocked it out of memory, because he was a doggone nightmare,” Shaw said Tuesday after being reminded of Evan Weaver’s name and being asked about how he has handled his first loss in the rivalry. “To answer you, not in coach speak, and to answer you honestly, it’s awful. Absolutely awful.”
Shaw had won his first eight Big Games as Stanford’s head coach prior to the 2420 loss on The Farm last year.
A day separated from a year exactly, Shaw still can recite the exact plays of Cal’s sixplay, 75yard drive to win last year’s matchup, on Nov. 23. Of course, it was capped by Chase Garbers’ 16yard touchdown run with 1: 16 to play.
“We had every opportunity to win the game,” Shaw said. “We didn’t hand it away. Cal took it from us. … You hate to lose to your rival. You hate to lose to your rival at home. You hate to see them carrying the Axe on your field. Bottom line: It has not been good. Hopefully, we get to return the favor.”
Oline, oh no: Cal expects to once again be without at least three starters on its offensive line after a “team member” tested positive for the coronavirus prior to Saturday’s loss at Oregon State and had “several” from the position group placed into quarantine because of contact tracing.
Left tackle Will Craig, left guard Valentino Daltoso and right tackle Jake Curhan missed the game in Corvallis, and center Michael Saffell was carted to the locker room shortly before halftime.
It’s unclear if tight end Collin Moore’s absence from Saturday’s game was related to the outbreak as Cal cannot specifically comment because of privacy laws, but head coach Justin Wilcox said he doesn’t anticipate Craig, Daltoso or Curhan to return for Big Game.
“That’s what it looks like, just based on the guidelines we’ve been given. I won’t know until a little closer to game time, but we’re anticipating that being the case,” said Wilcox, who had the entire defensive line miss 14 straight days after a single positive coronavirus test this month. “I thought the guys, for really not having many reps at all, played extremely hard. I thought they competed well. It didn’t seem too big for them.”
Cal rushed for 124 yards on 3.3 yards per carry against Oregon State and allowed just two sacks.
Wilcox said Saffell, who was on crutches in sideline huddles during the second half, has made progress toward playing this week.
“Mike is as tough as they come, so we’re hopeful that he’ll be available,” Wilcox said.