GAME PREVIEW: STANFORD
On PaPer
BY DOUGLAS FARMER
STANFORD RUNNING GAME VS.
NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE
If his name didn't prepare Barry Sanders Jr. for out-
sized expectations (Barry Sr. starred for the Detroit
Lions from 1989-98), replacing second-team All-
American Tyler Gaffney certainly has. Through the
season's first three games, the junior running back
managed 142 yards on only 18 carries (7.9 yards per
rush), but had yet to find the end zone. That latter is-
sue has plagued all Cardinal running backs, with the
only rushing touchdowns coming courtesy of senior
quarterback Kevin Hogan, senior wide receiver Ty
Montgomery and senior fullback Patrick Skov.
The Cardinal was averaging "only" 158.7 rushing
yards through three games, after last year's Gaffney-
led attack piled up 207.4 yards per contest. Some of
the difficulties can be traced to Stanford's offensive
line, which came into this season with only 26 career
starts among its five players. The Cardinal lost two
draft picks and four linemen that finished with some
version of a conference accolade. The young line
has yet to develop the needed chemistry to display
its raw potential.
Notre Dame is no stranger to a young line, fea-
turing one itself on defense. That line, however, is
anchored by junior captain Sheldon Day and his 14
tackles (two for loss) through three games. Three
freshmen — Andrew Trumbetti, Grant Blankenship
Junior running back Barry Sanders Jr. has led the way for Stanford's rushing attack, carrying the ball 18
times for 142 yards (7.9 yards per attempt) through three games.
PHOTO COURTESY STANFORDPHOTO.COM
