STANFORD, Calif. - The opportunistic Stanford defense has exhibited a bend but don't break mentality in 2017.
While the unit ranks 72nd nationally by allowing 398.8 yards per game, it rates 39th in scoring at 32.0. The Cardinal ranks 11th in interceptions with 16 and has forced nine fumbles, contributing to a plus-15 turnover ratio, sixth-best in the country. Ten players have at least one pick.
Stanford has held 11 opponents under their season scoring average and allowed 24 points or less in its last eight regular season games. During the regular season, the Cardinal surrendered only 20.7 points per contest, the second-fewest in the conference.
The leader of the defense is 6-4, 295-pound senior tackle Harrison Phillips from Omaha, Nebraska, whose 100 tackles top the team and all FBS defensive lineman. A first-team All-Pac-12 pick, he is strong and relentless, posting 7.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. Phillips has paced the Cardinal in stops six times this season and garnered a career-high 13 against USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
He is joined up front by junior Dylan Jackson and sophomore Jovann Swann in Stanford's 3-4 scheme. Following an injury to fifth-year senior end Eric Cotton, Swann earned his career start in the Pac-12 title game and made five tackles.
Seniors Bobby Okereke and Jordan Perez man the inside linebacker spots. Okereke came on strong in the second half of the season and ranks third in tackles with 91. He has collected four sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss, and was chosen All-Pac-12 honorable mention.
Fifth-year senior Peter Kalambayi and senior Joey Alfieri hold down the outside positions. Also making big impacts this season have been fifth-year senior Mike Tyler, junior Casey Toohill and sophomores Curtis Robinson and Jordan Fox.
The secondary has been hit by injuries, forcing shuffling. However, the group is deep and talented, led by junior Justin Reid. The heady and aggressive Reid, whose older brother Eric plays for the San Francisco 49ers, has registered at least five tackles in 12 consecutive games. He has intercepted a team-high five passes, tied for ninth nationally, and was named first-team All-Pac-12.
Junior cornerback Quenton Meeks excels in coverage and was a second-team All-Pac-12 choice. He has seven pass breakups and two interceptions. Senior Alameen Murphy, juniors Frank Buncom and Ben Edwards, and sophomore Malik Antione have also made important contributions.
Big plays have been a trademark this season, with three wins decided by three points for less. The most dramatic came at Oregon State on Oct. 26. Trailing 14-9 with 2:38 remaining in the fourth quarter, Phillips forced and recovered a fumble, helping Stanford drive down the field and score the winning touchdown with 20 second left to escape with a 15-14 victory.