October 14, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

Back in the running for winning season

by Rick Eymer

If Stanford football coach Walt Harris had his way, he would have as many running backs as he could fit on the roster. The Cardinal just don't have the depth at that position as most schools.

With last year's leading rusher -- J.R. Lemon -- unavailable because of injury, Harris had to dip into the receiving corps and pull out Anthony Kimble.

Kimble learned he would become a running back after spending all of spring at wide receiver. Not only has Kimble been a pleasant surprise, he became the starter. He also helped Stanford's rushing attack become an offensive weapon. The Cardinal (1-1, 2-2) averages 134.2 yards a game this year. Stanford rushed for 81 yards a game a year ago.

Kimble was a running back in high school back in Baton Rouge, La., but it wasn't nearly as complicated as Stanford's sophisticated offense. He's feeling much better these days.

"One of the biggest problems I had was trying not to make mistakes instead of using my instinct," Kimble said as Stanford prepares to play at Arizona (0-2, 1-4) on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Tucson. "I'm starting to see things a lot quicker and things are happening more naturally."

Even with Lemon ready to play this week, Kimble is likely to see his work load increase: he's averaging just under 12 carries a game and 4.6 yards a carry. He leads the team with 210 yards. Jason Evans is next with 139 yards.

Harris was asked if he liked his one-two punch in the backfield.

"I love a one, two, three, four, five punch," he replied. "As many punches as we've got I'd love to have. I love depth. Our guys did a good job. We have a nice rotation, a nice flow, and it's good to have J.R. back playing. He gives us a three-man rotation."

Stanford's victory on the road at Washington State last weekend was aided by the ability to run the ball. The Cardinal hope the same thing can happen this week on the road in Arizona. With Kimble, Evans and Lemon at full strength, and quarterback Trent Edwards' ability to scramble, the passing game becomes more effective.

"We'll try to capture what we had last week and bring it back on the road," Harris said. "Arizona doesn't give up hardly any big plays. They make you drive it. We'll be tested."

The Wildcats rest at the bottom of the Pac-10 in rushing defense, giving up an average of 227.4 yards a game. Those yards have been rolled up, however, by rushers such as LenDale White and Reggie Bush at USC and Justin Forsett over at California.

To put it into perspective, Kimble can't even break the top 10 rushers in the conference. White, Bush and Forsett are among the top 11 in the nation.

Stanford ranks seventh in Pac-10 rushing offense, with a conference low (with Arizona) three rushing touchdowns. The Wildcats are also last in rushing offense.

Kimble has been effective in both Stanford victories this year, and there's a definite connection there. Part of his effectiveness comes from the improved play of the offensive line, which has undergone some subtle changes since the start of the year.

Center Brian Head has been in and out of the lineup with an injury. Senior Tim Mattran has started at center the past two games and redshirt freshman Allen Smith started at right tackle against Washington State.

The five returning starters on the offensive line are seniors this season, though Smith and redshirt freshman Alex Fletcher displaced a pair of seniors last week. Fletcher has been starting all season, though senior Ismail Simpson has seen more action recently.

It even appears as if Stanford is shuffling its players on the line much like it would the defensive line. Keeping them fresh against the Cougars worked to Stanford's advantage in terms of controlling the line of scrimmage and allowing the running backs to keep fresh legs.

"Allen Smith gets a lot of the credit," Harris said. "He had to come a long way to play in the Pac-10. He did better than I expected him to just because it was his first game. There are two redshirt freshmen side by side. That's a scary proposition. It's good to see (senior Jon) Cochran come off the injured list.

"The offensive line has been maligned and those guys decided to do what they needed to do," said Harris. "Tim Mattran is one of the unsung heroes so far. He's been a key player for us. Our problems in the passing game is as much protection as anything. It's good to have a full arsenal of guys."

Kimble certainly appreciates what the line has done for him.

"They were opening a lot of holes," he said. "Everything was clicking. I saw some daylight the last game. We need to be ready for whatever Arizona throws at us. No one likes losing. It's easier to go out to practice and work hard when you're winning."

Men's golf

Stanford sophomore men's golfer Rob Grube finished second at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational, which ended Wednesday, at the Meadow Club in Fairfax.

He shot a three-round total of 206 and Stanford finished sixth with an 853, nine strokes behind tournament winner California.

Grube opened with rounds of 66 and 67, and then shot a 73 on the final day to finish a stroke behind Fresno State's Jon Rosa.

Women's golf

The Stanford women's golf team placed sixth in the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash., which ended Wednesday.

Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana finished seventh for the Cardinal, shooting a three-round total of 224.

Stanford shot 923 as a team to finish behind team winner Pepperdine, which shot an 891. Arizona State was second at 892.

The Cardinal host the Pepsi Intercollegiate at the Stanford Golf Course beginning Oct. 21.

Men's soccer

Stanford looks to get on track this weekend when Washington visits today at 7 p.m. and Pac-10 leader Oregon State arrives on Sunday for a 1 p.m. match.

Stanford (3-6-2, 0-2-1) has been competitive in every match to date but has had a difficult time putting the ball in the net. Stanford is tied for fourth in the Pac-10 in goals allowed, giving up nine scores on the season.

Washington (6-3-1, 0-2-1) is unbeaten against the Cardinal in their past four meetings and leads the all-times 18-13-1. Oregon State (7-2-4, 3-0) has been the surprise of the conference after its upset win over UCLA.

The 17th-ranked Beavers are 1-10 on Stanford's home field, but are bringing a school best 10-match unbeaten streak to the Bay Area.

Washington leads the conference in shots taken, averaging 16 a match.

Stanford junior goalkeeper Andrew Kartunen has played seven matches, recording three shutouts while posting a 0.67 goals against average.

Women's soccer

A chance to finish the weekend in sole possession of first place in the Pac-10 is up for grabs this weekend when 19th-ranked Stanford (8-3-1, 2-0-0) hosts No. 11 California (9-2-1, 2-0-0) at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Cardinal assistant sports information director Aimee Dombroski joins Dave Cox to call the action for Comcast Sports Net.

The Bears rank fourth in the nation in goals-against average (0.39), and are tied for seventh for shutout percentage (0.67).

Stanford has allowed 10 goals, third in the Pac-10, and has seven shutouts, for a 0.58 average and a tie for second in the conference.

Men's water polo

Fourth-ranked Stanford (8-2, 1-0) hosts Loyola Marymount today at 6 p.m. in a nonconference match, and then competes in the NorCal Tournament at Cal over the weekend.

The tournament is another opportunity for the Cardinal to show the NCAA selection committee that they belong in the NCAA Final Four if it comes down to an at-large berth.

Stanford plays 19th-ranked Air Force on Saturday at 10:20 a.m. at Miramonte High School in Orinda/Moraga. The Cardinal will meet either No. 9 St. Francis College or No. 5 UC San Diego later in the day.

Women's volleyball

Stanford visited Arizona on Thursday night and travels to Arizona State tonight hoping to rebound from its loss to second-ranked Washington last weekend, ending the Cardinal's 15-match winning streak.

The Cardinal (16-2, 4-1) were a combined 90-8 against the two Arizona schools entering play on Thursday.

Field hockey

Stanford (4-10, 2-2) hosts Longwood (4-8, 1-1) in NorPac Conference play on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Freshman Caroline Hussey leads Stanford with 13 points, including six goals and an assist. She has taken 35 shots in 15 games.

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