Sep 6, 2008

Stanford hopes to stun ASU

Cardinal must keep Sun Devils QB under wraps in Tempe today

By John Reid / Daily News Staff Writer

Despite coming up with two interceptions, the Stanford defensive secondary was maligned in the Cardinal's 36-28 defeat of Oregon State last week, yielding 404 yards passing. Whether that spells trouble or not for the Cardinal (1-0, 1-0 Pac-10) in its conference game with pass-happy Arizona State tonight in Tempe, Ariz., remains to be seen.

The Sun Devils (1-0, 0-0 Pac-10), ranked No. 15 in the nation, are the defending co-Pac-10 champion. They have one of the best passing quarterbacks in the country in Rudy Carpenter, a preseason MVP pick in the Pac-10 by Lindy's magazine. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Carpenter has thrown for 8,386 yards and 66 touchdowns in his career. Carpenter passed for 388 yards in last Saturday's 30-13 victory over Northern Arizona, hitting 13 straight completions at one point, tying a school record. Carpenter, who will be making his 33rd consecutive start, finished 22-of-28.

"Arizona State is going to get their chunks of yards," Stanford cornerback Wopamo Osaisai said. "We have to keep them to five yards, not 20 to 30 yards. We can't give up the big play."

The Sun Devils rolled to a 41-3 win at Stanford Stadium a year ago with Carpenter throwing for 286 yards on 20-27 passing. The Sun Devils rotate in two speed backs in Keegan Herring, a consensus preseason all-conference selection, and Dimitri Nance. Herring broke off a 72-yard TD run at Stanford last year. Wide receiver Michael Jones, a 6-4 211-pounder, had 162 yards receiving on six catches last Saturday against the Lumberjacks.

"Arizona State is one of the elite teams of the Pac-10," Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh said. "I would put them in the same category as USC, Oregon, Cal, UCLA, Oregon State and (even) Arizona after their ballgame. Arizona State is fast, well-coached and physical. That's what we're trying to get to."

In order to win, Stanford will most likely have to control the football on the ground in an effort to keep its defense rested and Carpenter off the field. The Cardinal had some success running the ball in totaling 210 net yards against the Beavers. Running back Toby Gerhart had 147 yards with Anthony Kimble adding 49 yards.

The Sun Devils have a quality safety in Troy Nolan, while corner Omar Bolden is one of the best in the conference.

"Bolden is an excellent football player," Harbaugh said. "Defensively, they have a lot of speed. Their defensive end, Dexter Davis, is an excellent football player. We're going to have our hands full."

The Sun Devils also have one of the most prolific kickers in the nation in redshirt sophomore Thomas Weber, the Lou Groza Award winner last season after kicking 24 field goals while scoring 118 points.

Stanford's special teams played well overall last week. Kicker Aaron Zagory established a career high with a 42-yard field goal, not long after he booted a 41-yarder. Punter David Green, in his first collegiate game, punted five times for an average of 45 yards with a long of 51.

Stanford might have to get some yards through the air to move the chains. Quarterback Tavita Pritchard was 10-for-17 for only 91 yards versus the Beavers. Most importantly, Pritchard did not turn the ball over.

"Pritchard did an outstanding job running our football team," Harbaugh said. "He threw the ball accurately. He led our team to victory. He took care of the football, his No. 1, most important job."

Stanford's defense, which came up with two sacks in its opener, will probably have to get to Carpenter more than that or it could be in for a long evening. ASU coach Dennis Erickson is impressed with the Cardinal's defense.

"Stanford's defense plays with a lot of intensity," Erickson said. "They're relentless and physical. They have a lot of guys back on defense with some great leadership. Their players are more aware of what they're doing."



CARDINAL-SUN DEVIL DOODLES: Arizona State starting right guard Paul Fanaika is from Mills High in Millbrae. Fanaika is rated the No. 17 guard in the nation by Phil Steele's College Football Yearbook. ... Anthony Reyes (Wilcox High-Foothill College) is on the depth chart at middle linebacker for the Sun Devils. ... Free safety Angelo Fobbs-Valentino (Serra-San Mateo) is listed on the Sun Devils' roster, but not on the depth chart. ... Los Gatos High product Danny Sullivan backs up Carpenter at quarterback. ... ASU leads the all-time series 15-9-0. ... Stanford has not won in Tempe since 1999, the year it went to the Rose Bowl.



E-mail John Reid at jreid@dailynewsgroup.com.