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By Rick Eymer
Palo Alto Online Sports

Palo Alto High grad Kevin Anderson received high marks from Stanford football coach David Shaw following the Cardinal's 50-13 win over Duke on Saturday.

Shaw said the redshirt freshman outside linebacker has been productive when he's played and will remain part of the rotation.

"We need him to continue to progress," Shaw said. "He's still growing. He's ready for a limited role and you have to remember he's basically a freshman."

Anderson backs up Trent Murphy on one side, although Alex Debniak will occasionally spell Murphy, too.

Anderson has played both games this season and is credited with two tackles, one a solo tackle. He was a key member of Palo Alto's 2010 state championship season.

Menlo-Atherton High grad Sam Knapp, a senior wide receiver for the Cardinal, is still looking for his first reception of the season. He appeared in three games two years ago, catching a pass for seven yards against Wake Forest.

Sacred Heart Prep grads Chris Gaertner and Brian Moran have yet to see any action.

THREE PEAT: Freshman tackle Andrus Peat continues to make progress and will continue to see playing time as he learns the structure of the offense and offensive line.

"He played well," Shaw said. "He had a setback with his hand (which will remain in a cast for at least another week) and missed time at camp, which was a setback. He's confident with his hand and what he was doing."

Peat also receives instruction from junior guard-tackle David Yankey, who lines up next to the freshmen.

"Just like Jonathan Martin did with Yankey, Yankey is doing with Peat. David knows what he's supposed to do and he also knows what everybody else is supposed to do," Shaw said. "So he can tell Peat where he's supposed to be."

Yankey, a natural guard, said Martin did more than instruct.

"He showed me how to lead by example," Yankey said. "He also showed me how to be a vocal leader and that's why I can give (Peat) tips. He's extremely physically talented."

Peat came to Stanford ranked among the top 10 recruits by most of the scouting publications.

WHAT, ME WORRY?: Stanford senior cornerback Terrence Brown, who grew up in Torrance and attended Orange Lutheran, has a winning streak over USC quarterback Matt Barkley, who went to Mater Dei.

Stanford has defeated the Trojans the past three years and Brown can take that even further having played against Barkley in high school.

"I believe I was 2-0 against him," Brown said. "Matt is a great quarterback, a great player and a great leader."

Brown did not root for USC growing up, picking the Miami Hurricanes instead because of their flashy defense.

Cardinal quarterback Josh Nunes, an Upland resident, didn't much care for the Trojans either growing up.

"I had an uncle who went to UCLA so we were a Bruins' household," Nunes said. "I've always had a general distaste for USC."

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