2011 Stanford Cardinal football team
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Stanford Cardinal football team represents Stanford University
in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS college football season
. The Cardinal is led by former offensive coordinator and new head coach David Shaw
, as Jim Harbaugh
departed following the 2010 season
in order to become the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers
. They play their home games at Stanford Stadium
and are members of the North Division of the Pacific-12 Conference.
#7 preseason ranking, the team's highest-ever ranking), the Cardinal achieved their 50th win in the series as 2011 Heisman Trophy
runner-up Andrew Luck
threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third. In all, six Stanford players scored touchdowns, with running back Stepfan Taylor scoring twice on short rushes.
completed his first 17 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown, but after that, he was 7 for 16 and 41 yards as the Cardinal began to break down the passing attack. The victory was costly for the Cardinal, however, as junior linebacker and leading tackler Shayne Skov suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter.
. Stanford linebacker Max Bergen blocked a Colorado field goal attempt in the first quarter and ran back the ball 75 yards for Stanford's first score. Fullback Ryan Hewitt caught two of Luck's touchdown passes with Griff Whalen catching the other. Three different running backs scored for the Cardinal on one-yard rushes.
–1905
and 1939
–1940
–1941
) and extending the nation's longest current winning streak. The team won by its ninth consecutive 25+ point victory margin, the longest such streak in the BCS
era since Boise State in 2002
.
in 1981, led by Darrin Nelson
's 190 yards) as the Cardinal overpowered the visiting Huskies 65–21. Stepfan Taylor ran for 138 yards and a touchdown, Tyler Gaffney had 117 yards and a touchdown, and Anthony Wilkerson had 93 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinal extended its streak of 15 consecutive wins (longest in school history, and longest current streak in the nation), as well as 10 consecutive wins by more than 25 points (longest streak in college football since the poll era began in 1936
). Washington's Chris Polk
had two long touchdown runs to highlight Washington's scoring.
. The Cardinal led 10–6 at halftime, but on the first series of the second half, USC running back Curtis MacNeal broke free for a 61-yard touchdown run to put the Cardinal behind in a game for the first time all season. MacNeal added another score on USC's next series to put Stanford further in the hole. But Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck led the Cardinal right back, firing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Hewitt and adding a 2-yard rush of his own to put the Cardinal back up by 3 at the end of three quarters. In the fourth quarter, Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley
put USC ahead on a 28-yard touchdown pass to Marqise Lee
, which was followed by a Stanford field goal to tie the game at 27 apiece.
With about 5 minutes remaining, Stanford began what they hoped would be a game-winning last drive, but Luck's pass was intercepted by Nickell Robey and returned for a USC score to put the Trojans on top. But the Cardinal recovered, and on the ensuing drive, Luck led the Cardinal for a tying Stepfan Taylor touchdown rush with 38 seconds left to send the game to overtime. After both teams scored in the first two overtime periods, the Cardinal had the ball first in the third overtime, scoring on a Taylor 5-yard run and converting on the mandatory 2-point conversion. On the first play of USC's possession, Barkley completed a 21-yard pass to Lee to put the Trojans on the 4 yard line. On the next play, Barkley handed off to MacNeal. Stanford defensive tackle Terrence Stephens reached up from the ground and stripped the ball, which rolled into the end zone where Stanford linebacker A.J. Tarpley pounced on it to end the game and secure a Stanford victory.
) and of the Stanford career touchdown mark of 77 held by John Elway
].
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS college football season
2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season, play of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level, began on Thursday, September 1, 2011...
. The Cardinal is led by former offensive coordinator and new head coach David Shaw
David Shaw (American football)
-References:...
, as Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh
James Joseph "Jim" Harbaugh is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Harbaugh agreed to a five-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on January 7, 2011. Previously, he was the head coach at...
departed following the 2010 season
2010 Stanford Cardinal football team
The 2010 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Cardinal were led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was in his 4th and final season before leaving to become head coach of the San Francisco 49ers...
in order to become the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. They play their home games at Stanford Stadium
Stanford Stadium
Stanford Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium on the Stanford University campus, the home of Stanford Cardinal college football team. It originally opened in 1921 as a football and track stadium, an earthen horseshoe with wooden bleacher seating and flooring upon a steel frame...
and are members of the North Division of the Pacific-12 Conference.
Roster
| 2011 Stanford Cardinal | ||||||||||
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Fullbacks
Centers
Offensive Guards
Offensive Tackles
|
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Defensive Tackles
Defensive Ends
|
Linebackers
Defensive Backs
Cornerbacks
Safeties
Kickers
Punters
Long Snappers
|
||||||||
Sources: 2011 Stanford Cardinal Football Media Guide, 2011 Stanford Cardinal Football Roster |
||||||||||
Coaching staff
- David ShawDavid Shaw (American football)-References:...
– Head Coach - Derek MasonDerek MasonDerek Mason is an American football coach and former player who is the associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator, and defensive backs coach for the Stanford Cardinal football team.-Early life and playing career:...
– Associate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs - Pep HamiltonPep HamiltonPep Hamilton is the current offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the Stanford Cardinal football team.-College career:Hamilton played quarterback from 1993-1996 at Howard University...
– Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks - Jason TarverJason TarverJason Tarver is an American football former player who is the co-defensive coordinator and inside linebacker coach for the Stanford Cardinal football team.-Early life and playing career:...
– Co-Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers - Randy Hart – Defensive Line
- Mike BloomgrenMike BloomgrenMichael Scott Bloomgren is an American football coach. He is currently the run game coordinator and offensive line coach for the Stanford Cardinal football team. Prior to beginning his coaching career, Mike played the tight end position at Culver-Stockton College.-Biography:Bloomgren prepped at...
– Running Game Coordinator/Offensive Line - Mike Sanford, Jr. – Running Backs
- Lance Anderson – Outside Linebackers
- Brian Polian – Recruiting Coordinator/Special Teams/Safeties
- Ron Crook – Tight Ends/Offensive Tackles
- Shannon Turley – Head Strength Coach
- Nick Holz – Offensive Assistant
- Aaron Moorehead – Offensive Assistant
- Morgan Turner – Offensive Assistant
- Chester McGlockton – Defensive Assistant
- Tavita PritchardTavita PritchardTavita Pritchard is a former college football quarterback for Stanford who is now a defensive assistant football coach at Stanford.-High school career:...
– Defensive Assistant - Jordan Sundheim – Graduate Assistant
Schedule
San Jose State
Known as the "Bill Walsh Legacy Game" (Bill Walsh was a graduate of San Jose State and a two-time head coach at Stanford), this game marked the 65th meeting between Stanford and San Jose State—the most times Stanford has faced a single non-Pac-12 opponent. Entering the game with a record-high #7 preseason ranking (this ties the 1950 team's1950 Stanford Indians football team
The 1950 Stanford Indians football team represented Stanford University in the 1950 college football season. Stanford was led by sixth-year head coach Marchmont Schwartz...
#7 preseason ranking, the team's highest-ever ranking), the Cardinal achieved their 50th win in the series as 2011 Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
runner-up Andrew Luck
Andrew Luck
Andrew Austen Luck is an American football quarterback for Stanford University. He was the runner-up for the 2010 Heisman Trophy, and is considered a leading contender for the 2011 Heisman Trophy. He was a finalist for the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, the Davey O'Brien Award and the...
threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third. In all, six Stanford players scored touchdowns, with running back Stepfan Taylor scoring twice on short rushes.
Duke
The Cardinal held a 10–0 lead late in the first half due to an Andrew Luck touchdown pass to Coby Fleener and a 40-yard Jordan Williamson field goal. Duke made a game of it after safety Lee Butler returned a deflected pass 76 yards for a touchdown and the Blue Devils recovered an onside kick on the next play. But Stanford held Duke to a single series, and following a short punt, scored another touchdown before halftime. The second half was all Stanford, as Luck threw two more touchdowns, Jonathan Stewart ran for a 30-yard score, and Tyler Gaffney added a one-yard plunge to rout the Blue Devils.Arizona
Stepfan Taylor rushed for a career high 153 yards and Andrew Luck threw for 325 yards as the Cardinal held the Wildcats scoreless in the second half to win 37–10. Arizona quarterback Nick FolesNick Foles
Nick Foles is an American football quarterback for the Arizona Wildcats. During the 2011 season, Foles led the Pac 12 Conference and ranked fifth nationally in total offense with an average of 352.58 yards per game....
completed his first 17 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown, but after that, he was 7 for 16 and 41 yards as the Cardinal began to break down the passing attack. The victory was costly for the Cardinal, however, as junior linebacker and leading tackler Shayne Skov suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter.
UCLA
Coming into the game, Stanford trailed UCLA 45–33–3 in a series that dates back to 1925 and both teams had the same 19–19–2 record for games played at Stanford. Stanford's Coby Fleener scored on 18 and 51 yard receptions and Stepfan Taylor added two rushing touchdowns as the Cardinal downed UCLA 45–19. UCLA tight end Joseph Fauria caught two of the Bruin touchdown passes.Colorado
Andrew Luck threw for 370 yards—the second-most in his college career—and three touchdowns as the Cardinal routed Colorado, 48–7 and improved to 5–0 on the season, Stanford's best start since the 1951 season1951 Stanford Indians football team
The 1951 Stanford Indians football team represented Stanford University in the 1951 college football season. Stanford was led by first-year head coach Chuck Taylor...
. Stanford linebacker Max Bergen blocked a Colorado field goal attempt in the first quarter and ran back the ball 75 yards for Stanford's first score. Fullback Ryan Hewitt caught two of Luck's touchdown passes with Griff Whalen catching the other. Three different running backs scored for the Cardinal on one-yard rushes.
Washington State
Andrew Luck threw an interception on his first pass of the game, but recovered to throw four second-half passes—two to tight end Levine Toilolo—as the Cardinal routed the Cougars, 44–14. At the end of the first half, Washington State had closed to within 10–7 on a two-yard run from Carl Winston, but that would end their scoring until a short touchdown dive with 14 seconds left in the game. On the ensuing kickoff of that final Cougar touchdown, Stanford's Ty Washington returned the kick 96 yards as time expired to give the Cardinal a 30-point win. Stanford won its 14th consecutive game, setting a school record (breaking the marks set in 19041904 Stanford football team
The 1904 Stanford football team represented Stanford University in the 1904 college football season. James F. Lanagan was in his second year as head coach of the team, which played its home games at Stanford Field in Stanford, California....
–1905
1905 Stanford football team
The 1905 Stanford football team represented Stanford University in the 1905 college football season. In Head Coach James F. Lanagan's third season, Stanford went undefeated. The team played their home games at Stanford Field in Stanford, California....
and 1939
1939 Stanford Indians football team
The 1939 Stanford Indians football team represented Stanford University in National Collegiate Athletic Association intercollegiate competition during the 1939 season. Seventh-year head coach Claude "Tiny" Thornhill led the team to a 1–7–1 record, which ultimately contributed to his...
–1940
1940 Stanford Indians football team
The 1940 Stanford Indians football team, nicknamed the "Wow Boys", represented Stanford University in National Collegiate Athletic Association intercollegiate competition during the 1940 season. First-year head coach Clark Shaughnessy inherited a team that finished with a 1–7–1 record the previous...
–1941
1941 Stanford Indians football team
The 1941 Stanford Indians football team represented Stanford University in National Collegiate Athletic Association intercollegiate competition during the 1941 season. Second-year head coach Clark Shaughnessy led the team to a 6–3 record...
) and extending the nation's longest current winning streak. The team won by its ninth consecutive 25+ point victory margin, the longest such streak in the BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
era since Boise State in 2002
2002 Boise State Broncos football team
The 2002 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2002 college football season. Boise State competed as a member of the Western Athletic Conference , and played their home games at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho...
.
Washington
Stanford set a single-game school rushing record of 446 yards (breaking the previous record of 439 set against Oregon StateOregon State Beavers football
The Oregon State Beavers football team represents Oregon State University in NCAA Division I-A college football. The team first fielded an organized football team in 1893 and is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. The head coach is Mike Riley, with Danny Langsdorf as the offensive...
in 1981, led by Darrin Nelson
Darrin Nelson
Darren Milo Nelson is a former professional American football player in the National Football League....
's 190 yards) as the Cardinal overpowered the visiting Huskies 65–21. Stepfan Taylor ran for 138 yards and a touchdown, Tyler Gaffney had 117 yards and a touchdown, and Anthony Wilkerson had 93 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinal extended its streak of 15 consecutive wins (longest in school history, and longest current streak in the nation), as well as 10 consecutive wins by more than 25 points (longest streak in college football since the poll era began in 1936
1936 college football season
The 1936 college football season was the first in which the Associated Press writers' poll selected a national champion. The first AP poll, taken of 35 writers, was released on October 20, 1936...
). Washington's Chris Polk
Chris Polk
Chris Polk is an American football running back who plays for the Washington Huskies. He is considered a top running back prospect for the 2012 NFL Draft.-High school:...
had two long touchdown runs to highlight Washington's scoring.
USC
The Cardinal outlasted the Trojans in a triple overtime thriller, winning 56–48, and remaining unbeaten and in the hunt for the 2012 BCS National Championship Game2012 BCS National Championship Game
The 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship Game is scheduled to be the final college football game to determine the national champion of the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
. The Cardinal led 10–6 at halftime, but on the first series of the second half, USC running back Curtis MacNeal broke free for a 61-yard touchdown run to put the Cardinal behind in a game for the first time all season. MacNeal added another score on USC's next series to put Stanford further in the hole. But Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck led the Cardinal right back, firing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Hewitt and adding a 2-yard rush of his own to put the Cardinal back up by 3 at the end of three quarters. In the fourth quarter, Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley
Matt Barkley
Matt Barkley is an American football quarterback and student athlete at the University of Southern California, playing for the Trojans football team. As a high school player, Barkley was named 2007 football Gatorade National Player of the Year, and then the 2007 Gatorade national male athlete of...
put USC ahead on a 28-yard touchdown pass to Marqise Lee
Marqise Lee
Marqise Lee is an American football wide receiver for the USC Trojans. He is considered one of the best wide receivers in his class.-Early years:Lee attended Junípero Serra High School in Gardena, California...
, which was followed by a Stanford field goal to tie the game at 27 apiece.
With about 5 minutes remaining, Stanford began what they hoped would be a game-winning last drive, but Luck's pass was intercepted by Nickell Robey and returned for a USC score to put the Trojans on top. But the Cardinal recovered, and on the ensuing drive, Luck led the Cardinal for a tying Stepfan Taylor touchdown rush with 38 seconds left to send the game to overtime. After both teams scored in the first two overtime periods, the Cardinal had the ball first in the third overtime, scoring on a Taylor 5-yard run and converting on the mandatory 2-point conversion. On the first play of USC's possession, Barkley completed a 21-yard pass to Lee to put the Trojans on the 4 yard line. On the next play, Barkley handed off to MacNeal. Stanford defensive tackle Terrence Stephens reached up from the ground and stripped the ball, which rolled into the end zone where Stanford linebacker A.J. Tarpley pounced on it to end the game and secure a Stanford victory.
Oregon State
Stanford rushed for 300 yards behind strong performances from all its backs, led by Stepfan Taylor's 95 yards, to hold off the Beavers, 38–13. Andrew Luck threw for 206 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Oregon State's Sean Mannion threw for 252 yards and one touchdown. Luck moved within 6 passing touchdowns of both the Stanford single-season mark of 32 (set by Luck in 20102010 Stanford Cardinal football team
The 2010 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Cardinal were led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was in his 4th and final season before leaving to become head coach of the San Francisco 49ers...
) and of the Stanford career touchdown mark of 77 held by John Elway
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
].