STANFORD – As first-year Stanford coach Troy Taylor attempts to rebuild a depleted program, seemingly no starter is safe.
Ashton Daniels threw a pass on Stanford’s first play from scrimmage Saturday against Arizona, and then was replaced by Justin Lamson for the rest of the opening drive.
Freshman running back Sedrick Irvin made his first start and had 10 carries against the Wildcats, while veterans E.J. Smith and Casey Filkins, who made the first three starts of the season, combined for just one rush.
Stanford even rotated punters, with freshman Aidan Flintoft and junior Connor Weselman each kicking twice.
“I tell our guys all the time, you don’t have to accept your role, but you’ve got to attack your role,” Taylor said.
The tinkering hasn’t led to wins. In what was supposed to be the easiest two-game stretch – home games against FCS-level Sacramento State and Arizona – the Cardinal gave up game-winning fourth-quarter TDs to both opponents and are now 1-3 with No. 10 Oregon up next at Stanford Stadium. Top 25 teams Washington, Notre Dame, Washington State, Oregon State and Colorado are still to come.
“There’s no easy games on our schedule,” Taylor said. “This is an incredible conference. This is the best it’s been in maybe 20 years. Really good quarterbacks, really good coaches, experienced teams.”
But Stanford played better in the 21-20 loss to Arizona than it did in the 30-23 loss to Sacramento State – even outgaining the Wildcats 354-349 – providing some hope that Taylor’s methods are beginning to work.
“There’s nothing to sulk about,” Daniels said. “I don’t worry about all the missed plays, or I’m not getting enough time, because I know that Coach Taylor has the right formula, and he’s going to help us get the job done.”
Daniels and Lamson each played a half against Sacramento State. But against Arizona the QBs rotated in and out constantly, often on the same series.
Daniels was primarily used on pass plays, and he completed 14 of 26 passes for 198 yards. Lamson mostly was used as a runner, carrying 13 times for 57 yards.
“Maybe a guy will emerge,” Taylor said. “They both have potential. They both need to be a little bit more consistent, but they were under some pressure as well. It’s the toughest position in sports.”
IRVIN GETS A CHANCE
After recording five carries entering Saturday, Irvin was the surprise starter against Arizona. He seemed to validate the decision on his first carry, a third-and-seven draw play in which he broke four tackles and gained 45 yards.
“Sedrick has been a guy that’s really physical,” Taylor said. “We just thought we wanted to get an opportunity to see him. We’ve got some really good young guys, and you want to see them play. We want to continue to grow this year, and we want to be a different team by the end of the season than the beginning of the season.”
Irvin finished with 66 yards on 10 carries. He scored his first career TD from one yard out when he was bottled up inside but broke outside for the score.
NO LONGER PERFECT
One of the few bright spots last year was kicker Joshua Karty, who was perfect on 18 field goal attempts with a long of 57.
Karty made his first eight field goals this season, but missed wide on two 51-yarders Saturday in the one-point loss.
“He’s human,” Taylor said. “They’re long kicks. They were struck pretty well. That guy’s been incredible for us. We’ve got to do a better job of converting when we get down across the 50 (rather) than relying on him being able to hit 50-yard field goals.”
WASTED OPPORTUNITY
Stanford appeared to have the upper hand after three quarters. It led 17-14, and Arizona QB Jayden de Laura left the game with an apparent foot injury.
But redshirt freshman Noah Fifita led the Wildcats on a nine-play, 67-yard TD drive on his first possession to put Arizona (3-1, 1-0) up 21-17 with 7:42 remaining. After Stanford cut the deficit to 21-20 with three minutes left, the Wildcats got two first downs on the ensuing possession to run out the clock.
Next up is an Oregon team that entered the weekend second in the country at 58 points per game. Stanford has already faced the top-scoring offense in the country, Southern Cal, and allowed 56 points.
“As a competitor, you like those challenges. So we’ll be ready to play next week,” Taylor said. “Obviously a top 10 football team is coming into town, and they’re rolling. They’re hitting on all cylinders. We’ll be ready to go.”
