Big Game a big game Big Game a big game (November 17, 2004)for these M-A grads

Camarillo closes his career at receiver while Ostrander hopes to continue bright future at quarterback against Bears

by Rick Eymer

Greg Camarillo made himself into a solid college wide receiver during his five years with the Stanford football team. The Menlo-Atherton High grad made his last walk on Saturday and will be leaving a lot of fond memories behind.

Despite losing to Oregon State, 24-19, and ending Stanford's dream of going to a bowl game this season, Camarillo achieved more than he could have hoped after walking on with the Cardinal in the fall of 2000.

Camarillo's first catch was for two yards against Arizona State as a redshirt freshman, and it came at Stanford Stadium. It was his only reception of the 2001 season.

His last two catches at home were for 27 yards and 36 yards, the latter setting up Stanford's final touchdown against the Beavers.

"Everything has changed since that first catch," Camarillo said. "It's a different coaching staff and a different team. At that point I would have been happy with the two-yard catch. Now I would have been frustrated if that's all I had. It's a whole new world."

Camarillo, who earned a scholarship the last three years, has one more game remaining as a college player; another chance to add to his 44 career receptions and 592 career yards. The Big Game against host California this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (Fox Sports) becomes the Cardinal's bowl game. Stanford (2-5, 4-6) has nothing left but a chance to upset another nationally-ranked team in the Bears (6-1, 8-1).

"I wish we could have gone to a bowl game this year, but upsetting Cal would be satisfying," said Camarillo, who was featured on the cover of Saturday's game day program.

As Camarillo plays his final game, fellow M-A grad T.C. Ostrander may well be on his way to establishing himself as Stanford's future quarterback. Ostrander, who made his first collegiate start against the Beavers, shook off an anemic first half and nearly led the Cardinal back from the mortally wounded with 195 passing yards in the second half.

"I thought I had my ups and downs in the first half," Ostrander said. "We played ourselves into a hole. In the second half we made some adjustments and started slinging it downfield a little bit. That opened it up for us."

Ostrander started because sophomore Trent Edwards is recovering from his second left shoulder injury of the year. He left early against Oregon and Arizona State when he took hard shots from defenders.

Ostrander's play in relief roles those two games gave Stanford coach Buddy Teevens the confidence to name Ostrander the starter the previous Thursday. Teevens might be faced with a similar decision against California.

"We're all prepared to play every week," Ostrander said. "I was a little disappointed in my play because I felt the guys were there and I didn't make the throws we needed. That last play was pretty disappointing."

Ostrander's last play was his only interception of the day and Oregon State was able to run out the clock afterward.

"It seems like the same old pattern this year," Camarillo said. "With 1:30 on the clock and the offense on the field, that's what you live for. It's too bad it had to end that way. It's frustrating. T.C. played real well. He stood in there. When he threw the ball downfield, the receivers made plays."

Camarillo, who did everything but drive the bus for Menlo-Atherton, also serves a valuable back-up role for Stanford. In addition to his wide receiving skills, he acts as the backup punt returner and the backup holder to Kyle Matter. Camarillo also could punt if the Cardinal needed him.

"I wish I could look back and see how I played," Camarillo said of his first year with Stanford. "I sure wasn't that good. All I had were sure hands. Maybe I'll go back and look at old game films. I have a lot of fond memories."

Stanford won't keep Cal out of the Rose Bowl, but the Cardinal can stop them from reaching the BCS championship game and that would give Cardinal fans something to remember.

"We have the Big Game and we're not going to let this loss get in the way of how we play in that one," Stanford senior free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe said.

Stanford has lost four straight since beating Washington State on Oct. 16. The Cardinal's six losses overall have been by a combined 43 points - 21 against UCLA - and that's an average of just over a touchdown a game.

"Sooner or later we're going to figure out a way to play a complete game," Stanford senior Alex Smith said. "It's frustrating because we know what we're capable of doing."

Stanford was capable of getting into the red zone consistently against Oregon State, taking advantage of Atogwe's two interceptions and interceptions by Jared Newberry and Jon Alston.

The problem was getting the ball into the end zone. Four times Stanford faced first-and-goal situations, and could only manage three points total.

Ostrander threw two touchdown passes of 15 yards to Mark Bradford and 26 yards to Evan Moore. He also received praise from his coach.

"He protected the ball well and only had the one turnover," Teevens said. "He was a competitor and didn't shy away from anything. He made some very fine throws and gave us a chance to win the game."

Atogwe also recorded 14 tackles and junior kicker Michael Sgroi kicked a career best 50-yard field goal, though he also missed three other attempts.

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