Cardinal awaiting word on QB Mills
Stanford didn’t know if starting quarterback Davis Mills would be available, less than 48 hours before its home opener against Colorado.
Cardinal coach David Shaw said Thursday afternoon that there were no positive tests in the program. But Mills and three teammates, including starting receiver Connor Wedington, were still in isolation or quarantine because of COVID-19 testing results and contact tracing protocols.
“We’re continuing on but waiting on the county to make a decision and communicate that with us,” Shaw said. “Our administration and doctors have been involved. We’re in communication to see if something changes. We’re waiting for all parties to get on the same page and make a decision.”
Mills, Wedington, and defensive end Trey LaBounty
missed the season opener last Saturday at Oregon.
Shaw said if a decision is made before the team’s walkthrough today, then the players will be available Saturday.
“If it gets beyond that, then it makes it tough,” Shaw said.
Junior Jack West made his second career start and freshman Tanner McKee made his first appearance in the 35-14 loss to Oregon.
They combined to go 16 of 26 for 216 yards.
Stanford was forced to start three quarterbacks last year because of injury, one of the reasons for a disappointing 4-8 season. But Shaw said he’s not frustrated about the uncertainly at quarterback this year due to the coronavirus.
“We knew this from the beginning, when we started having conversations in June and July about what a football season in a pandemic was going to look like — the word that everyone used was disrup
tion,” Shaw added. “There was going to be no way we could play this entire season without some form of disruption, whether that’s games postponed, games canceled, campuses shut down.
“Everyone knew this was a possibility, so this is what we accepted, and we understand it puts everyone in a difficult position. Every campus, every studentathlete, every coach, every administrator, and every county. This is just the price of doing business, as they say, and at the same time, our specific situation
we’re just waiting in anticipation.”
Stanford knows it will be down at least one starter. Shaw said that inside linebacker Ricky Miezon will miss the Colorado game with an undisclosed injury. But the Cardinal should get back top corner Kyu Blu Kelly and backup outside linebacker Gabe Reid, who were both out against Oregon.
Inside linebacker Levani Damuni, who had an interception and a fumble recovery against the Ducks before leaving the game, is also expected to play Saturday.