STANFORD, Calif. - It's no secret why senior Harrison Phillips has developed into one of the premier defensive lineman in the country. He has strength, toughness, determination and a relentless work ethic.
The latter quality was instilled through wrestling. Phillips competed for four years at Millard West High School in Omaha, Nebraska, and won two state championships. He was 96-11 his first three years and was the 2013 Junior National heavyweight champion.
"There's a grit to wrestling that is inescapable," said David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football. "You can't be a good wrestler if you don't have it. You're always giving effort; there's no relaxing in a wrestling match."
Phillips has shown that at Stanford. This year, he was elected a team captain and leads the squad with 60 tackles from his defensive tackle position. Phillips has 7.5 stops behind the line, including four sacks. In four of eight games, he has topped the defense in tackles, recording 11 against USC and San Diego State.
This, despite being double-teamed and held much of the time.
"Let's say I get 60 snaps a game," Phillips said. "Probably 15 of them, someone's doing something they probably shouldn't be or it could be called."
A Bednarik Award semifinalist, Phillips has a penchant for producing big plays. He blocked a field goal late in the first half against UCLA and it changed the momentum of the game.
Last Saturday night at Oregon State, Phillips forced his second fumble of the season by pushing a blocker into running back Ryan Nall and received help from outside linebacker Peter Kalambayi. Phillips recovered to set up the winning touchdown.
"I didn't really know during the play … it was pretty confusing," said Phillips. "There were a lot of bodies around and I was trying to hit a lot of people. Looking back at the tape, I ended up knocking the ball loose and P.K. tackled him."
It is not unusual to see the chiseled 6-4, 295-pounder chasing down runners. Phillips is passionate and leads by example.
"I don't think anybody in the nation is playing better," Shaw said.
Junior running back Bryce Love has returned to practice. His availability for the No. 18 Cardinal on Saturday at No. 25 Washington State could be a game-time decision. Kickoff is 12:30 p.m. PT and there is snow in the forecast.
"He feels better," said Shaw. "If he's ready to go, he'll go."
Either way, Shaw wants more production from his offense. Without Love, the Cardinal managed only 81 yards rushing against Oregon State.
"It's not about the talent in the room," he said.
Shaw credited the Beavers for being physical and active up front. He also expects better execution and production from everyone.
"We got positive plays, but not big plays," said Shaw. "We've got to be very sound."
Senior quarterback Keller Chryst struggled against the Beavers, but did throw the winning touchdown pass to JJ Arcega-Whiteside with 20 seconds remaining. He also connected with tight end Kaden Smith for a clutch fourth-down completion to extend the final drive.
"When the chips were down, Keller made the throws," said Shaw.
While Chryst hit only 17 of 33 attempts, Shaw said three were deflected at the line of scrimmage and two were dropped.
Shaw will continue to evaluate the position and said sophomore K.J. Costello remains in the mix.
"We'll see where we are at the end of the week," he said. "We're kind of in a competition. This is big-time college football. You've got to perform."
Senior cornerback Alijah Holder will not return this season after sustaining an undisclosed injury against Oregon State. He started seven games and finished with 26 tackles -- 17 solo, three pass breakups, one interception and forced a team-high three fumbles.
"It's unfortunate," said Shaw. "He was playing so well. He always has a positive attitude and is very mature. We're going to miss him."
Holder has one year of eligibility remaining.
Junior inside linebacker Mustafa Branch returned to action on special teams against Oregon State and will continue to receive more playing time. Shaw is hopeful senior cornerback Terrence Alexander will return before the end of the season.
Shaw was unhappy about the plethora of penalties against Oregon State, especially several personal foul calls that sustained Beaver drives. He wants his players to be aggressive, but also smart.
"It means you're sloppy, and we're not sloppy, he said. "We want to have our hands where they're supposed to be, we want to move our feet when we're blocking guys and we want to be physical. I cannot abide by personal foul penalties. They turn my stomach. "
After starting 6-0, Washington State (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12) has dropped two of its last three games, both on the road.
The Cougars are 7-0 in Pullman and have averaged 38 points while allowing 15.8.
"These guys have been lights out at home," said Shaw. "They play great defense, they're active and physical up front on the defensive line, they have opportunistic playmakers on the back end, and the quarterback play has been outstanding -- thrown for a lot of yards and scored a lot of touchdowns."
Fifth-year senior Luke Falk will start at quarterback. He has thrown for 13,464 yards and needs 136 to become the Pac-12's career passing leader. Falk was replaced late in the second quarter last week against Arizona by sophomore Tyler Hilinski and did not play in the second half.
"I don't think I've ever seen a quarterback as calm in the pocket," Phillips said Falk. "He's able to make throws that no one else can really make and he's able to read defenses very well."
After recent night games at Utah and Oregon State, the team returned to campus at about 3 a.m. PT and 2 a.m., respectively.
Asked if the staff and players were excited about playing their second true afternoon game Saturday, Shaw quipped, "I think the game time was so unfair. If it was later, Bryce would have a little more time ... "
The response drew laughs from the local media, but Shaw is grateful for the kickoff time.
"It's great to play a game with the sun out," said Shaw. "A little snow is okay. I spent four years in Michigan as a kid. Playing football in the snow is fun and exciting. It's worse for the fans and the coaches than it is for the guys. They love it. Coming back to my house before 3 a.m. is awesome."
With a bye week and Thursday night game the last two weeks, the coaching staff hit the recruiting trail.
"Recruiting never stops," said Shaw. "When we have a Friday, we want to get out. You have to go see guys ... I tell the coaches all the time, 'Trust your eyes.' So we're still evaluating."
Quotable ... "You don't become a head coach and shy away from criticism. We're going to make the decisions we need to make." - David Shaw