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STANFORD PREVIEW folks expected in head coach David Shaw's second year. It's just that the 17th-ranked Cardinal wasn't supposed to beat USC or lose to Washington. It's anyone's guess as to where the program goes from here. Offensively, Stanford is breaking in a NO LUCK CARDINAL S Stanford is off to solid start with new key personnel BY WES MORGAN tanford's 4-1 beginning in the post- Andrew Luck era was about what new quarterback — first-year starter Josh Nunes, a redshirt junior who beat out red- shirt sophomore Brett Nottingham in fall camp. For those used to Luck's smooth de- livery and skilled marksmanship — which resulted in the Indianapolis Colts making him the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft — it's been somewhat painful at times to watch the Cardinal offense, which ranked sixth in scoring (31.6 points per game) in the Pac-12 and eighth in total offense (387.0 yards per game) through Oct. 6. Both of those numbers were buoyed by last week's 54-48 overtime win over de- ✦ GAME FACTS second season). Series Facts: This is the 27th meeting between the two programs, with Notre Dame holding a 17‑9 advantage. The SIRIUS Satellite Radio (channel 129). Coaches: Notre Dame — Brian Kelly (21‑10, third season), Stanford — David Shaw (15‑3, Site: Notre Dame Stadium (80,795) Kickoff: 3:39 p.m. ET Television: NBC Radio: This broadcast can be heard live on OCT. 10, 2012 fenseless Arizona, so there is still plenty of room for improvement. Despite his 360- yard, two-touchdown aerial assault on the Wildcats, Nunes is ninth in the league in passer efficiency (126.4 rating) and 11th in completion percentage (.541), and the Cardinal is eighth in passing offense in the Pac-12 (231.2 yards per game). "He's still having problems with his accuracy," said Tom Fitzgerald, a Stan- ford beat writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. "He's trying to replace Andrew Luck, which, of course, nobody can do. He has had a couple of okay games and a great second half against USC. He's also had a couple of nice runs for first downs; nobody accounted for him being a runner. "But his accuracy is the big problem. That's not good for a team that really wants its quarterbacks to be near the top of the league in efficiency. They don't care if you throw for a lot of yards, but they want you to be efficient." Redshirt junior quarterback Josh Nunes was given the unenviable task of filling Andrew Luck's big shoes and has struggled early, ranking ninth in the Pac-12 in passing efficiency (126.4 rating) through Oct. 6. PHOTO COURTESY STANFORD Cardinal has won the last three contests in the series. Before that, the Fighting Irish rattled off seven consecutive victories from 2002‑08. Prime Personnel: Offense — Senior running back Stepfan Taylor (5‑11, 215) is averaging 111.0 yards per game and has five rushing touchdowns. The Doak Walker Award (nation's top running back) hopeful was a second‑team All‑Pac‑12 performer in 2011 after running for 1,330 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns. Defense — Fifth‑year senior outside line‑ backer Chase Thomas surprised many by returning to Stanford instead of going to the NFL. He ranks first on the team with 34 tackles, and has 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. terback Andrew Luck was selected first overall in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts … The two‑time Heisman Trophy runner‑up broke Pac‑12 records for completion percentage in a season (71.3 percent in 2011), and career passing efficiency (162.8 rating) and career completion percentage (67.0 percent) … Luck owns nearly every school passing record, including most touchdown passes (82), total offense (10,387 yards), as well as the most rushing yards by a Cardinal QB (957) … Red‑ shirt junior quarterback Josh Nunes and redshirt sophomore Brett Nottingham combined for just 10 passing attempts lead‑ ing up to their competition to replace Luck in fall camp. For The Record: Few were surprised former Stanford quar‑