Oregon capitalizes on Cardinal's bad Luck

Oregon beat Stanford 53-30 to take control of the Pac-12's North Division, while positioning themselves for a shot at a return trip to the national title game.

The Ducks, who had lost their season opener to LSU in Arlington, TX, stayed "under the radar" while Stanford and QB Andrew Luck - long anointed the #1 overall pick in the 2012 draft - climbed up the ladder.  Given their entertaining matchup last season, and with conference realignment, who ever won this matchup would be highly favored to take Pac-12 crown.

In 2009, Stanford stunned a high-flying Oregon team 51-42 on the strength of performances by Heisman Trophy finalist Toby Gerhart and Andrew Luck, a red-shirt freshman at the time.  The following year, the Cardinal jumped to a 21-3 first quarter lead, but scored only 10 points the rest of the way (none in the second half) as Oregon came out 52-31 winners, en route to the national championship game.

This time, it was Stanford who had more on the line, with a loss all but eliminating them from the national title discussion.  They had been tested on the road against USC a fortnight earlier, winning in triple overtime when the defense recovered a Curtis McNeal fumble that rolled into the endzone.

And just as they had been tested then, the Cardinals defense really had no answer for Oregon's "unconventional" offense.  Last year, LaMichael James burned them for 257 yards rushing and 3 TDs.  This time around, he ran for 146 yards and 3 TDs - bum elbow and all - while QB Darron Thomas looked like a Heisman candidate himself, throwing for 3 TDs on 11-17 passing.



Brandon Hanna's fumble recovery helped Oregon break
the game open in the 3rd quarter.

Oregon's defense doesn't seem to mind taking a back seat while the offense gets all the love.  Their fingerprints were all over this game, collecting 5 Cardinal turnovers, including an interception that Boseko Lokombo returned for a touchdown to seal the game; just in case Stanford was getting ideas of, y'know, a miracle comeback. 

Stanford runs a "conventional" offense, that relies multiple tight-end sets to complement a strong running game.  While the tight ends are reliable receivers, they can only present so much of a threat.  Stanford's legitimate receiving threat, Chris Owusu, had to sit out this game as a result of having suffered multiple concussions, the most recent against Oregon State.

Rub-a-Duck for Luck?

The Cardinal's "ball control" offense could not afford any margin for error if they were to succeed in keeping their counterparts on the sidelines.  And while they were able to stay within striking distance going into the interval, it was in the third quarter that things fell apart, as Oregon put their foot on the pedal and never looked back.

The next biggest casualty of Stanford's loss is QB Andrew Luck's race for the Heisman Trophy.  Luck, who has been unflappable for the most of the season, committed three turnovers - 2 INTs and lost fumble -, each of them resulting in touchdowns for the opposition.

Every player will have that occasional "off day", but given that nowadays, the preferred recipient for the Heisman Trophy is a quarterback or running back who's team is playing for the national championship, it becomes rather interesting to see just how far Luck will drop.

Since a national title is out of discussion (barring a miracle, and even THAT might not be enough), Stanford still remain on course for an "at-large" invite to a BCS bowl which, considering the payout and perks, isn't exactly a bad way to end the season.

For what it's worth, Luck will still probably have the last laugh come next April.

Another 1, and another 1 bite the dust.

In what was most certainly one of the most entertaining Final Four matchups in recent times, Connecticut and Stanford (both #1 seeds) were both upset by #2 seeds Notre Dame and Texas  A&M respectively.

When Stanford beat UConn last December, ending the Lady Huskies’ 90 game win streak, it was widely expected that would end up facing off in the national title game.  They seemed destined for that rematch after getting through their respective regions without much struggle.  It turns out that the Fighting Irish and Aggies had other ideas.  The key to both these upsets could be summed up in one word; defense.

Texas A&M had the size and grit to match Stanford’s pedigree.  When Stanford took a 54-44 lead with a little over 5 minutes remaining, the Aggies may have been down but not out.  Stanford got outscored 19-8 while committing 3 turnovers the rest of the way (the Aggies had no turnovers).

Despite another big game from Nneka Ogumwike, the rest of the Cardinal players were pretty much held in check.  Jeanette Pohlen was the only other player in double figures (11 points).  It also didn’t help much that Melanie Murphy spent most of the game in foul trouble, eventually fouling out.  Jeanette Pohlen, Kayla Pedersen and Melanie Murphy have been part of some great Stanford teams, but going home empty after 4 straight Final Fours isn’t exactly an easy pill to swallow.

Not to be outdone, Notre Dame who was playing a virtual “home game” saved the best for last.  In front of a partisan crowd in Indianapolis, the Irish were looking to make amends for their three previous losses against UConn.  The Irish had got through the tournament with some tough defense and good perimeter shooting.

Maya Moore and Jeanette Pohlen: fallen legends

They carried that mode into this match against a young and shorthanded UConn team.  The Huskies were using a 7-player rotation and Coach Geno Auriemma hinted that they would be vulnerable especially in encounters as tough as this one.  With Stefanie Dolson sitting out for most of the game after getting into early foul trouble, UConn had to rely on a much smaller lineup for most of the game and Notre Dame made them pay dearly.

While Maya Moore carried the team on her back in this game like she had done all season, Notre Dame was able to answer behind the sensational play of Skylar Diggins, Brittany Mallory and Natalie Novosel.  Mallory and Novosel hit key three pointers, while Diggins would simply not let this team lose.

Diggins made what was arguably the play of the game, with a minute and change left to play.  With the Irish leading by 5 points, Diggins came up with a steal and drove all the way to the basket for a layup that pushed the lead to 7 points, effectively ending the game.  The Huskies wouldn’t get any closer than 4 points.  Notre Dame advanced to their first final since 2001 when, in a cruel twist of irony, they beat UConn in the national semis.

Both games were truly exciting and an excellent showcase for the women’s game.  Texas A&M and Notre Dame may not have been the best teams in the country, but were hands down the best teams in the tournament.

A little bit of defense, a whole lotta Luck!!

 

Stanford made every minute of the 3,000 mile trip to the Orange Bowl count in their beatdown of a resurgent Virginia Tech team.  As the game wore on, the talk became less about the game and more about whether Andrew Luck would declare for the NFL draft.  This in addition to speculation that Jim Harbaugh was coaching his last game for the Cardinal.

First things first, I've got to give Virginia Tech their due credit.  Following losses to Boise State and James Madison (a 1-AA team), they put together an 11 game win streak to earn their 3rd ACC crown in 4 years, largely behind the performances of running back Ryan Williams, quarterback Tyrod Taylor and a dominant defense.  With Williams nursing an injury going into the Orange Bowl, the Hokies offense lacked the edge they needed to compete against a physical Stanford defense.


 Plunkett & Elway were both drafted #1 overall

Behind a power run game and multiple tight-end sets, Andrew Luck was able to showcase his talents to NFL scouts, who have him locked in as the #1 overall pick, should he decide to make the jump to the next level.  That will see him join the elite company of former Stanford greats Jim Plunkett and John Elway, who were both drafted #1 overall in their respective drafts and won Super Bowls during their outstanding NFL careers.  Plunkett and Elway were also in attendance.  It wasn't only the scouts who were drooling over Andrew Luck, but also analysts John Gruden and Ron Jaworski as well, who couldn't seem to run out of words to describe this kid's greatness; as if we didn't know already.


The last hurrah?  

I'll tip my hat off to the Cardinal defense.  They harassed Tyrod Taylor and shut down Hokies running game.  What was more impressive was that they pitched a second half shutout against a team that had always found a way to get back up after getting knocked down.  It goes to show that their meltdown in against Oregon - a game in which they led 21-3 at one point only to lose 52-31 - was a one time thing.  Linebacker Shayne Skov put on quite a defensive show and Owen Marecic a.k.a "The modern day 60 minute man", helped himself to a score on offense and a quarterback sack.  Marecic also delivered a key block that paved the way for the game's opening score; a 60 yard touchdown run by Jeremy Stewart.

After the dust had settled, questions came in left and right as to whether this was indeed the last game for both Luck and Harbaugh.  Both did everything they could to deflect the questions which will only keep coming in the days ahead.  Jim Harbaugh seems destined to coach in the pro ranks, just like his brother, John, who has had some success with the Baltimore Ravens.  It may be that both Luck and Harbaugh are waiting to see what the other will do; more like a "I'll stay if you stay" kind of a deal.

With NFL jobs opening up like a Starbucks drive-thru lane after a morning rush, Harbaugh is definitely spoilt for choice.  One place that he won't end up however is Michigan, where he once starred as a quarterback.  The story goes that he was at one time interested in the quarterbacks coach job, but the Wolverines took a pass on him (no pun intended).  He's never forgotten that slight by his alma mater, and will likely turn the down the head coaching job if and when it's offered to him.

Andrew Luck on the other hand is most likely to be the next great quarterback out of Stanford since John Elway.  Having led Stanford to its best season in school history and first bowl win since the 1996 Sun Bowl, there really isn't anything else left for him to prove.  Should his draft stock go any higher, it will probably hit the stratosphere.

I have every reason to believe that in the days to come, both Luck and Harbaugh will be preparing to take their talents elsewhere.  As it is, the Carolina Panthers, who just recently fired John Fox, hold the #1 pick in next year's draft.  Could it be that maybe both teacher and disciple will re-unite in Charlotte, NC?

Cardinal rule!!

There's still a winning streak going on and a certain #23 made sure that it would continue.  I'm talking about the Stanford Cardinal home game win streak at Maples Pavilion, which now stands at 53.  The #23 I'm talking about is senior guard Jeanette Pohlen, who had a game high 31 points, while helping the Cardinal end UConn's 90 game win streak.  Something had to give.




Jeanette Pohlen: the other # 23

Stanford played like a unit, out-hustling and out-rebounding the Huskies and making sure that it was going to be anyone else but Maya Moore to carry UConn to victory.  Maya Moore went 5-15 from the floor for 14 points and while she got some help from Bria Hartley (14 pts) and Kayla Farris (19 pts), it still wasn't enough to extend the streak.  UConn never even led at any point in this game; first time in five years that happened.


UConn's win streak started after a loss to Stanford in the Final Four back in 2008.  During the 90 game win streak, they beat Stanford 3 times including the last two Final Four meetings;  the national semis in 2009 and the national title game in 2010.  The other meeting was in Hartford, CT, where Stanford led at halftime but couldn't keep up with the Huskies in the second half.


Maya Moore: missing in action

Personally, I wouldn't call this Stanford win an upset.  Stanford are a legit program and have the ability to recruit on a national scale just like Connecticut.  They have enough talent to be able to win games just like these and so their win shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone. 


What this game proves however, is that UConn will only go as far as Maya Moore will take them.  Rarely does she ever have an off night, but when she does, there's no Tina Charles or Renee Montgomery to help pick up the slack.  She is in a very similar situation to Diana Taurasi, who willed UConn to national titles in 2003 & 2004 and helped extend a winning streak that would climax at 70 games. 




Diana Taurasi: UConn legend

Diana Taurasi was a key contributor on the 2002 national championship team, but it was Sue Bird and Swin Cash who were headliners that season.  Upon their departure, the onus fell on Taurasi to carry the team and she delivered; leading to Geno Auriemma's famous quote, "We have Diana, and you don't", in response to a reporter's question as to why he felt UConn would win the 2004 title.  Taurasi not only established herself as a UConn legend, but as one the great ones to have played the women's game.


Maya Moore has already passed Taurasi on the all-time scoring chart and is on pace to set the record for most career points at Connecticut; a record that is currently held by former teammate Tina Charles.  If Moore can lead this team a national championship, she will undoubtedly be hailed as the best ever to have come through the program. 

Stanford now joins both Notre Dame's football and men's basketball programs on the list of legend slayers.  Oklahoma's 47 game win streak in football started and ended with a loss to the Fighting Irish; the UCLA men's basketball also tasted a little Irish luck during their 88 game win streak. 

Both Stanford and Connecticut of course will move on to their next games, but don't be surprised if they end up playing each other for the national championship.