STANFORD, Calif. - When finalists were announced Monday for the college football postseason awards, David Shaw expected Bryce Love would be one of three players vying for the Maxwell Award (top player) and Doak Walker Award (top running back).
What Shaw didn't expect was that Justin Reid's name would be missing for the Jim Thorpe Award presented to the nation's best defensive back.
"It's ridiculous," the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football said Tuesday, requesting the first two words be boldfaced. "It's disrespectful and it's wrong. Call it East Coast bias, call it Stanford bias, whatever you want to call it. He's one of the best players in America ... at the very least one of the best players at his position."
Reid, a heady and punishing junior safety from Prairieville, Louisiana, has produced a sensational season. The leader of the secondary, he ranks second on the team with 79 tackles and leads the squad with five interceptions. The latter rank third nationally and first in the Pac-12, but could be higher had quarterbacks not avoided him for the past month.
Reid has also shown great versatility. Due to his knowledge of the game and key injuries, Reid played both safety and corner positions in last week's 17-14 victory against Cal. He also shined in the nickel and dime packages.
"Everything he has done this year is amazing," Shaw said. "His level of play is awesome. And to not even be a finalist ... Justin belongs in that group. It's just wrong."
As has been the case the last three weeks, Love is day-to-day for Saturday night's regular season home finale against No. 9 Notre Dame (9-2).
"Not as bad as it could have been and not as good as we'd like for it to be," said Shaw. "If it's wise for him to play and he's ready to play, then he'll play. We'll make the right decision for his health."
How difficult it has been to decide how much Love plays during the last month?
"It really hasn't been tough," Shaw said. "We're not talking about a torn muscle, head injury or ligament. Sprained ankles are painful. When they're extreme, then you're not functional. Thankfully, there's only been one week where Bryce wasn't functional (Oregon State). It's all about pain tolerance and Bryce has a very high pain tolerance."
No one knows better than junior Cameron Scarlett, Love's backup and roommate.
"I know how much pain he's going through and how much it hurts him to be out," said Scarlett. "Doing what he's doing at about 75 percent is crazy, because with 100 percent, these rushing numbers would be through the roof. It's incredible."
A native of Portland, Oregon, Scarlett ranks second in the Pac-12 in kickoff return yard average and played a pivotal role on the final drive during last week's 17-14 victory against Cal. Subbing for Love, he grinded out four first downs.
"I don't know if I've ever gotten 11 carries in a row," he said.
Scarlett knew Love was special the first day they met.
"His speed is comparable to none," said Scarlett. "To me, he's the best running back in college football, hands down. Whenever he gets a crease, he's going to make the most of it and you'll never see him get caught."
In five of Stanford's eight victories this season, Love has delivered the game-winner or go-ahead touchdown. Here's a recap:
- 61-yard touchdown run versus Arizona State
- 68-yard touchdown run against Utah in the fourth quarter
- 5-yard touchdown run against Oregon
- 13-yard touchdown run in third quarter against Washington
- 57-yard touchdown run in the third quarter against Cal
Shaw is still amazed by Love's sprint to the end zone in the latter. Two defenders had angles, but he out-ran both.
"He was obviously in pain and somehow found another gear," Shaw said.
Of Love's 1,723 rushing yards, second in the country and the most of any FBS running back, 929 have come after contact. According to Pro Football Focus, he averages a nation-leading 4.8 yards after being hit.
Love has done major damage against premier defenses. In three games against top 10 rushing defenses -- San Diego State (6), Utah (9) and Washington (6), he has run for 184, 152 and 166 yards, respectively, with six touchdowns. The Utes' defense was ranked 17th overall, while the Huskies were No. 1.
Not only is junior JJ Arcega-Whiteside one of the most athletic wide receivers in the country, he's also clutch. Of his 37 receptions this season, tied with junior Trenton Irwin for tops on the team, many have resulted in first downs.
Arcega-Whiteside has a knack for getting open on third down and is adept at making tough catches. His contributions have been critical the last two weeks in wins against Washington and Cal.
Against the Huskies, the 6-3, 222-pounder caught five passes for a career-high 130 yards. Last Saturday night, he collected a career-best seven passes for 79 yards.
Three times in each game, Arcega-Whiteside extended drives with third down grabs.
"We practice third-down situations," he said. "Every situation, every scenario. You have to practice as if you really are going through a third down. When it comes to the game, you just play relaxed and kind of look forward to it because I know I'm doing something for the betterment of the team."
If Washington defeats Washington State in Seattle on Saturday, Stanford wins the Pac-12 North Division title and will play South Division winner USC on Dec. 1 in the Pac-12 Championship Game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
"I think we all kind of are," said Shaw, when asked if he has become a fan of the Huskies. "But we can't spend too much time and energy on it. We've got one of the top teams in the nation coming in and have to get ready to play one heckuva football team."
Both games kick off at 5 p.m. PT.
Shaw said there have been discussions about updating fans at Stanford Stadium about the score in the Apple Cup.
"We don't need to keep secrets from everybody," he said. "People are going to have their phones and check them. I'm sure there will be an announcement or two. The most important thing to us is what's happening on our field."
Asked what stands out most about Notre Dame, Shaw said, "Size. They're big, physical and strong. Up front defensively, it's hard to win the line of scrimmage. It's going to be hotly contested. These guys win the line of scrimmage most games."
Offensively, the Fighting Irish boast many playmakers. Leading the way are dual threat junior quarterback Brandon Wimbush (1,569 yards passing, 704 rushing), junior running back Josh Adams (1,337 yards, nine touchdowns) and junior wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown.
"It's a great combination of scheme and athletes that present issues in all phases," said Shaw.
Stanford has won four straight home contests against Notre Dame, and the last five games have been decided by seven points or less. This marks the 32nd meeting, with the Irish holding a 19-12 advantage in the series. The winning team receives the Legends Trophy.
Shaw said there is mutual respect and appreciation
"Our games have been tight and hard fought," he said.
In 2015 at Stanford, the No. 13 Cardinal prevailed 38-36 on Conrad Ukropina's 45-yard field goal as time expired, eliminating No. 4 Notre Dame from playoff contention. Stanford trailed by two points with 30 seconds left, but Kevin Hogan threw a 27-yard pass to Devon Cajuste to put the Cardinal in field goal range.
"I remember it like it was yesterday," said Shaw. "It was like a traumatic experience that ended up the right way. It was a great college football game."
Stanford and Notre Dame have many connections: Bernard Muir, the Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics, worked at Notre Dame from 2000-05 as deputy athletic director; freshman wide receiver Osiris St. Brown is the brother of Fighting Irish junior wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown; junior linebacker Casey Toohill, junior cornerback Quenton Meeks and junior safety Frank Buncom attended Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, as did Notre Dame quarterback J.D. Carey and safety Jordan Genmark; Osiris St. Brown, sophomore linebacker Curtis Robison and fifth-year senior offensive guard David Bright attended Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, California, as did Notre Dame offensive lineman Sam Bush; sophomore linebacker Jordan Fox and Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush attended St. Peter's Prep in New Jersey; and junior safety Ben Edwards and Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Stepherson are from Jacksonville, Florida.
Saturday marks the final home game for many Stanford seniors. The class enters with an overall record of 38-13 and went 4-0 against Cal.
"It's very special for those guys, especially since its Thanksgiving and a lot of families are in town," said Shaw. "You want to play well, have a chance to win, and end the home season on a high note."
Shaw helped recruit every player.
"It's emotional every year," he said. "Every year I try and prepare myself and it never works. As the guys come up to be introduced, you look at them and I remember sitting in their living rooms, phone conversations with them, sometimes mom or dad or an uncle, or visiting the school and watching them play basketball or baseball. Those are things that always go through my mind as they're running out there. And on top of that, these guys are coming out with Stanford degrees, and what that's going to do for their lives beyond football."
What distinguishes this class from others?
"Probably that these guys have had to be most the resilient," said Shaw. "From having the highest expectations and accomplishing those, and then not accomplishing them, and then accomplishing them again. For these guys to fight back and continue to play well says a lot about who they are as people."
Extra Points … Tight end Dalton Schultz and wide receiver Connor Wedington have been cleared to play, while offensive tackle Walker Little is doubtful … Stanford has won five consecutive home contests against AP top 10 opponents … Shaw is 12-0 versus nonconference foes at Stanford Stadium … Notre Dame has allowed 200 yards rushing in each of its last three games.
Quotable ... "There's been a lot of hand-shaking afterward because both teams go out there and spill their guts to try and win." - David Shaw on Stanford's rivalry with Notre Dame.
