Stanford tries to snap two-game skid against Oregon
After allowing 45 points to both USC and UCF — teams starting true freshmen quarterbacks — Stanford faces senior first-team all-conference QB Justin Herbert and No. 16 Oregon (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12) today at Stanford Stadium (4 p.m., ESPN).
Here are the biggest keys to the game as the Cardinal (1-2, 0-1) hopes to avoid the first three-game losing streak of the David Shaw era. LIMIT EXPLOSIVE PLAYS >> The Cardinal have allowed 18 plays of 20 yards or more through three games, with breakdowns at all levels of the defense. The line isn’t generating enough pressure, the linebackers aren’t re-routing receivers, and the secondary has been out of position.
“That’s not us. That’s unacceptable,” Shaw said. “We’ve missed tackles, we’ve missed alignments, we’ve let receivers run free. Especially the last two games you’ve got receivers who can really run, and we’re just letting them run.”
And now comes Oregon with five pro prospects on the line protecting the 6-foot-6 Herbert, who has completed 74 percent of his throws for 868 yards, 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. The
potential No. 1 pick in next year’s draft is the first QB in program history to throw five TDs in consecutive games (a 77-6 win over Nevada and a 35-3 win over Montana) and has gone 150 pass attempt without a pick dating back to last season.
“They’re going to make some plays. Our job is to keep them out of the end zone,” Shaw said.
KEEP UP ON OFFENSE >> Stanford is averaging 21.3 points per game (tied for 103rd in the FBS with East Carolina and South Alabama) — and that includes a nation’s-best two defensive scores.
The battered offensive line has 11 different starting lineups in its last 16 games, and while runners have done a good job breaking tackles and creating yards, Shaw said that there’s been too many missed throws or mistimed routes.
“I believe we’ve got dynamic playmakers and we have to give them chances to make plays,” Shaw said.
Oregon’s defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown in consecutive games for the first time in 21 years. LOSING STREAKS >> Herbert has never beaten Stanford — the Ducks’ current three-game losing streak against the Cardinal includes an improbable defeat last year when Oregon decided to run its offense instead of run out the clock. Ducks running back CJ Verdell fumbled at the Stanford 40 with 51 seconds left, the Cardinal kicked the tying field goal as time expired, and Oregon eventually lost 38-31 in overtime after leading 24-7 at halftime.
Stanford appears to be especially vulnerable this season, but the Cardinal, a double-digit underdog for this game, are 5-0 coming off back-to-back losses in Shaw’s nine seasons at the helm, including four wins in recent years.
Stanford broke two-game losing streaks twice last year, first by beating Oregon State at home and then by beating Arizona State on the road. The 2017 team also was 1-2 and on a two-game losing streak when it beat UCLA at home, and the 2016 team broke its two-game losing streak by winning at Notre Dame.
“We’re a strong-willed team,” wide receiver Connor Wedington said. “We’re Stanford. We pride ourselves on being intellectual. We pride ourselves in responding to adversity.”