STANFORD, Calif. – This year's matchup against USC nearly marks the 10-year anniversary of what many consider the biggest upset in college football history.
In 2007, the Cardinal was a 41-point underdog against No. 2 USC but staged a dramatic 24-23 victory in front of 85,125 shocked spectators in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and a national television audience.
It snapped a 35-game home winning streak for USC.
The architect was sophomore quarterback Tavita Pritchard. Making his first career start in place of injured T.C. Ostrander, he threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mark Bradford on fourth-and-goal, the latter making a leaping catch in the end zone with 49 seconds remaining.
"It was a group of men that accomplished something pretty cool, but it was indicator of a larger thing happening," said Pritchard, now in his eighth season coaching the Cardinal. "It's easy to say that now, because we've all seen what's happened since. But we all felt that at the time. It was more than just one game. We all felt the greater implications, which were that we are headed in the right direction."
Pritchard is often asked about the game and doesn't mind a bit.
"In Stanford circles, a lot of people remember," said Pritchard. "It's a ton of fun, and I don't shy away from it. I emphasize what we all did going down there, because I think that's the most special."
While most expected a lopsided USC win, Cardinal staff and student-athletes thought otherwise.
"There's a certain amount of naivete being a competitor," Pritchard said. "You always feel like you can go out and win. Especially when you have 95 of your best friends doing it with you."
After a string of near misses against quality opponents, the 2007 triumph helped push Stanford over the hump.
"When you're trying to change a culture, you have to learn how to win," Pritchard said. "You have to learn how win the close games. You don't just get a bunch or great talent or great coaches. That was one of the road markers along the way."
In 2007, David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football, was the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach for Stanford under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. On Tuesday, Shaw termed the win a turning point.
"I like to call that game the beginning for the program," Shaw said during his weekly press conference. "For us to pull off that victory, oh wow, this team could learn to win; this team can compete and finish. So for me, that was the beginning of the idea that maybe this thing can happen at Stanford."
Stanford finished 4-8, but has recorded only one losing season since. From 2009 until the present, the Cardinal is 85-23.
Pritchard can't believe 10 years have passed. That is, until he spotted his five-month-old son from the practice field.
"Honestly, it's nuts," he said. "Bo McNally just had his third kid. Jimmy Dray just had his first. First, we were on the wedding circuit, now we're on the baby circuit. When you think about it, that puts it all in perspective."
Asked if he would offer any special advice to his players this week, especially those playing at USC for the first time, Pritchard shook his head.
"As much as anything, it's our conference opener," said Pritchard. "We need to win to accomplish the goals we want. We have to go 1-0 and this is the first step."
Shaw gave players three days off last week to recover from their trip to Sydney, Australia, where the Cardinal defeated Rice, 62-7. Although several, including starting wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside, offensive tackle A.T. Hall and outside linebacker Mike Tyler didn't play, Shaw said his team was the healthiest it has been for an opener in several years.
He emphasized starting fast, being physical, and made a point of getting as many people involved as possibly, especially on offense. Shaw employed a three tight end formation multiple times, and four tight ends combined for 10 catches.
"We made a point of spreading the ball around without sacrificing the physicality of our running game," he said.
Shaw is not a believer in holding back and gave many younger players a chance to contribute, including wide receiver Connor Wedington and offensive linemen Walker Little and Foster Sarell -- all are freshmen.
"They are already ahead of schedule as far as being college offensive linemen," said Shaw. "It will be interesting to see where they are four or five games down the road."
Shaw said sophomore Devery Hamilton played well in place of Hall, and is leaning toward him starting against USC. Walker is also in the mix for significant playing time.
Although Stanford has won seven of the past nine meetings against USC -- the best streak by the Cardinal in 95-game series -- Shaw knows his team faces a stiff challenge in its second game.
"There's a significant jump in talent (between Rice and USC)," he said. "We know how good USC is. We're under no illusions about what we did in the first game and what we need to do in the second."
Added tight end Dalton Schultz, "We know we're going to get their best, and they know they're going to get our best."
Shaw said Arcega-Whiteside will start, and expects Mike Tyler to do the same.
USC pulled away from Western Michigan, 49-31, last Saturday night in its season opener in Los Angeles.
The Trojans are led by quarterback Sam Darnold, who completed 23 of 33 passes for 289 yards and ran for one score.
Among Darnold's attributes are his athleticism and ability to find receivers downfield.
"What jumps off the film is his anticipation," Shaw said.
Running back Ronald Jones is another big weapon. He rushed for 159 yards on 18 carries against Western Michigan, an average of 8.8 per attempt.
"He has a great combination of speed and power," said Shaw.
In last year's 27-10 victory against USC, Stanford rushed for 302 yards, the most allowed by the Trojans all season. Western Michigan ran for 263 yards on 48 carries last Saturday.
Shaw said it usually takes him about three games to assess his team. One thing is certain: he's impressed how quickly senior quarterback Keller Chryst has rebounded from knee surgery after last year's Sun Bowl.
"What he has done since last December is nothing short of amazing," Shaw said. "He pushed himself and wanted to come back and play in Game 1."
Chryst started against Rice and threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns.
Shaw hinted he could use four tight ends at once. All produced against Rice.
"I think it's pretty incredible that we have four guys that can go out there and play," said Schultz, referring to teammates Kaden Smith, Scooter Harrington and Colby Parkinson. "It's kind of fun seeing each other in the huddle."
Outside linebacker Peter Kalambayi knows Darnold presents a big challenge.
"He seems like a true gunslinger," Kalambayi said. "If you don't contain him in the pocket, he can really hurt you."
That said, the goal of the Cardinal defense is always the same.
"We have a saying: stop the run first and earn the right to rush the passer," said Kalambayi.
On Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers open the regular season against the Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, pitting former Cardinal teammates and NFL Draft first-rounders Solomon Thomas against Christian McCaffrey. Shaw plans to attend the first half of the game.
"It's a big moment for Stanford football," he said.
Thomas and McCaffrey were team captains last season and set the tone in off-season training and daily practices with relentless work ethics.
"Solomon is excited," said Shaw. "He's never been able to tackle Christian."
He'll finally get the chance Sunday.
"There's only one speed he has, and that's full," Shaw said of McCaffrey. "He hates to get tackled."
Quotable ... "It's one of those games where you can't ever take your foot off the gas pedal. That's what makes any exciting rivalry." - David Shaw on facing USC.
