2005-11-06
just goes to show what happen when you lose radio reception and up 17-7 going into the 4th... you think, oh this is in the bag. We've played poorly, reminiscent of those first two games, but hey, the defense can step up... but no, even my uber-pick for second best QB in IAA (Engle) was evidently more than ineffectual; he went where the Aggie D could not >> as in throwing 2 picks. In the past, I've noticed the coaching staff does not accomodate the throwing style of Engle, which is on the run, and instead keep calling plays that are better suited to Grant (drop-back pass), so we won't judge him too harshly. Nonetheless, these games help sum up the season: topsy-turvy.
Hillboy does hope that our Bushmills Boy
2005-10-30
Not too sure what to make of the game, other than it was a good one from a spectator perspective. It was no where near as exciting as last season's inaugural qeue for the 'shoe, but it did have some nice turns in the game. Grant's interception wasn't wholy unexpected, as he flung the pigskin willy-nilly most of the day (in part due to the Poly Pony pressure, which was impressive having overlooked several crucial plays from the south endzon). In some ways, it was good to see the score tied up; it got a little juice into the crowd so that when Kays delivered on the other end of Grant's mad-dash-I-think-I-will-trow-a-bomb to tally a 58 yarder just shy of the goal line, we could erupt with Aggie Pride. Kays might have been a little too prideful after the catch, but hey, the guy is turning into a real gem of a player. His winning catch against Poly last season was _tremendous_ ... we've now come to expect such performances and yesterday was no exception.
Other observations include the fact that Ponies were effectively limp with their two O stars out of the game; but the Aggie D seemed in control the entire game and it is not clear that there would have been a different outcome as they controlled the line of scrimmage, not necessarily the backs. The kicking game is a still bit of a mystery, with punt consistency obviously lacking.
With a handful of games remaining, it seems that the winning season is intact, Conference Championship aside.
posted by Hillboy2005-10-08
Today's loss to the Wabbits of Sioux Falls is not unprecedented, but if there is a silver lining to these embarassments (see penalties and turning points in tomorrow's paper), it is the emerging presence of Demario Warren. And despite the game ending roughing the punter call again Nero Evero, Hillboy likes his pedigree.
posted by Hillboy
2005-09-26
UC Davis v Cal Poly-SLO Since 1973
10/30/2004 36-33 W
11/08/2003 14-18 L
10/26/2002 28-14 W
10/20/2001 28-31 L
10/21/2000 63-28 W
10/23/1999 31-24 W
10/03/1998 34-24 W
09/06/1997 19-20 L
11/02/1996 13-17 L
11/11/1995 34-31 W
10/15/1994 31-32 L
09/11/1993 37-26 W
10/10/1992 31-31 T
09/14/1991 31-28 W
10/06/1990 0-19 L
10/28/1989 21-28 L
10/29/1988 21-21 T
10/03/1987 0-41 L
09/20/1986 32-21 W
10/05/1985 34-21 W
09/29/1984 10-6 W
10/08/1983 24-14 W
10/09/1982 24-0 W
10/17/1981 0-30 L
09/27/1980 25-28 L
09/29/1979 10-31 L
11/11/1978 29-22 W
11/20/1976 14-26 L
posted by Hillboy
2005-09-25
Aside from the typically thuggery displayed by the Fornets (e.g., see Hines forehead), their poor performance yesterday in the 52nd Causeway Classic was enough to call it quits. It became clearly apparent over the past several seasons that a) CalPoly is a much better rival in the sense that we are both Ag schools... both having the Mustang mascot, now sharing the 'Shoe as trophy, etc. and b) that the SLO Ponies are a much better football team... better coached, better athletes, better fans... better students. Thus, that being said, there is really no need for a 53rd Causeway Classic. The mission is no longer clear, the cause is no longer just.
posted by Hillboy2005-09-22
Cornerback Andy Sullivan will play his first game of the season Saturday against the Hornets. The senior sat out the first three games of the year as he served a suspension for accepting expenses for a tryout with the Arizona Rattlers.
posted by Hillboy
2005-09-21
Above all, Stanford lost that game because Davis wanted that game more than the Cardinal did. I saw it every time their quarterback pulled another scramble out of his hat. I saw it every time their running back bounced off Stanford defenders, yet still found ways to churn ahead for small, steady, important gains. Every time their players played like they had nothing to lose, and showed the heart of a scrappy underdog that was willing to do whatever it took to win. Sometimes that really is all you need.
posted by Hillboy
I hate to read too much into a single game, but this legitimately might be the low point in Stanford's football history. They were outplayed in every sense of the word, and if the UC-Davis kicker weren't absolute garbage, and if Stanford hadn't scored two defensive touchdowns off of fumbles, the final score would have been far, far worse than 20-17. When UC-Davis scored with eight seconds left to finally take the lead, I couldn't help but feel that it was only justice that the hungrier, better team won the game.
2005-09-20
With this victory, the Aggies sent a message that they’ll be a team to be reckoned with when they become eligible for the playoffs in 2007.posted by Hillboy
"I think they doggoned whipped our butt," Harris said. "They have players who can play in this league. That quarterback [Jon Grant] played lights out. One throw he looked like a women's softball pitcher (passing underhanded) and he hit it. We have to deal with the why and be mature about it. This is where we're at."
posted by Hillboy
Q.
Why did Stanford schedule U.C Davis as an opponent (apparently dropping for this year long-time rival San Jose State) instead of other potentially more interesting out of state teams?
Buck Newell, San Marino, Ca. 9/13/05
Buck, Stanford scheduled UC-Davis because San Jose State asked out of its agreement to play the Cardinal in 2005. According to a Mercury News story, written in December 2003 and citing two unnamed sources, the Spartans had to add a home game to fulfill the Division I-A minimum of five. Although then-SJSU AD Chuck Bell wouldn't confirm the Spartans had dropped Stanford from their '05 schedule, the story noted that Davis had just sent out a release, announcing that it would play at Stanford in 2005 on the date originally slotted for SJSU. Hope that helps.
Darren Sabedra 9/13/05
posted by Hillboy
Harris apologizes for loss
By Darren Sabedra
Mercury News
Two days after one of the most embarrassing losses in the history of Stanford football -- 20-17 to Division I-AA UC-Davis -- Coach Walt Harris issued a public apology.
``I apologize to all the people who have worn those uniforms and have supported us,'' Harris said Monday. ``I thought that was a very poor performance, especially on offense and the kicking game. We stunk it up.
``I've been told by my defensive coordinator -- because I haven't seen the TV replay -- that the game was over,'' Harris said. ``But the bottom line, though, we shouldn't have even been in that situation. The team that played the hardest won the game.''
posted by Hillboy
2005-09-19
--Backup quarterback T.C. Ostrander could get some snaps Saturday, Harris said.♥ second best quote of the Century:
"The Cardinal turned Aggie quarterback Jon Grant into the second coming of Joe Montana"posted by Hillboy
2005-09-18
♥ quote of the Century:
"We're always the underdogs," Grant said. "We're not that big, we're not that strong, we're not that fast. We just go out and play football the way it should be played."
"I don't think we're in a position that we can think that we can just show up and (say) 'we're Stanford, we're I-A and they're going to lay down for us.' " Harris said.
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