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By Dave Consolazio, October 28, 2009 12:13 pm

Stanford Cardinal 5-3 Overall (4-2 Conference)

This Week’s Score: Stanford 33 – Arizona State 14

Next Week’s Opponent: @Arizona


Continue reading 'Pac-10 Week 8 Notes and Observations: Stanford Cardinal'»

Comments (5,249)

By Sam Saig, July 17, 2009 9:19 am

While RB Toby Gerhart was shredding through defenses in 2008, the Cardinal passing game was struggling big time. Stanford ranked 103rd in the nation for passing offense last season. The rise of exciting redshirt freshman QB Andrew Luck is a huge step in the right direction, but the receiving corp must establish an identity as well. While there may not be many all-conference performers in the unit, the Cardinal do have a capable group for Luck to work with.

The top two receivers from last year’s team are back, and head coach Jim Harbaugh’s excellent recruiting class from 2008 gives Stanford a much-needed influx of talent at the position.

Last season’s leading receiver is junior Ryan Whalen. The reliable Whalen had 41 receptions for 508 yards last year, which were both team highs by a mile. The Alamo (CA) native only found the end zone one time, but came up with critical grabs throughout the season. He appeared in all 12 games last year, making seven starts. The 6-2 205 pound Whalen is a former walk-on that only had one career reception before exploding onto the scene in 2008.

Now on scholarship, Whalen is a sure-handed receiver that has steadily improved since arriving on campus in Palo Alto in 2007. He doesn’t possess great speed, but he’s a smooth route-runner and can create space very effectively.

Ryan Whalen goes up for the grab

Continue reading 'Pac-10 Position Breakdown: Wide Receiver – Stanford Cardinal'»