Former Cardinal players were among the sea of fans and alumni who watched Stanford come back from a 17-point deficit at Oregon to triumph in overtime, 38-31. Members of the 2012 team who engineered a breakthrough 17-14 overtime upset victory of the No. 1 ranked Ducks at Autzen Stadium share their reactions, emotions and insights after they watched the 2018 squad fight and write their unforgettable chapter in the history books.
"I was speechless." — defensive end Henry Anderson '14
"I was thinking that all we needed was one play, and everything could change. I knew the training Shannon Turley had put them through, so I knew they were going to continue to fight to the end. Once we forced the fumble with 40 seconds left, I knew it was going to overtime. It was just an incredible game. I love the way the tight ends were used and how they responded to their opportunities!" — tight end Zach Ertz '13
"I thought it was a testament to the culture of Stanford football that has defined the program for the last decade. Never quit when things aren't going our way. Hang around and turn the game into a fight. Drag the opponent into deep water and let our toughness, resilience and unity shine through in the fourth quarter. It was great to see the defense overcome early struggles and make a couple of season-changing, impact plays when we needed it most. It was great to see a confident quarterback lead the offense in the clutch and trust his playmakers. An unbelievable comeback and a great day to be a tree! Bring on the Irish." — defensive end Ben Gardner '13
"I was loving it! It reminded me of all the battles we've had with the Ducks over the years, and it was so fulfilling as a fan to watch the boys complete the comeback." — fullback Ryan Hewitt '13
"I had an immediate flashback to 2012 and knew exactly what the guys were feeling. Winning at home is amazing, but there is NOTHING like winning on the road and silencing a deafening crowed, especially at Autzen. I couldn't be happier for the guys who got to experience that feeling on Saturday, and I know the rest of us from the past couldn't be more proud." — quarterback Kevin Hogan '15
"I was just thinking about how Shannon Turley trains us in the off-season to make sure we are prepared for those types of moments. I had zero doubt that they could come back and win that game! It was the full range of emotions from being upset, sad and nervous to then excitement as we closed it out in overtime." — inside linebacker Blake Martinez '16
"I wasn't thinking anything, nor did I feel anything—because I expected it. Never be surprised by the fruits of relentless labor. But I was proud of the composure displayed in the post-game interviews followed by excitement with teammates." — outside linebacker Trent Murphy '13
"We took them to deep water, where no one else had taken them. Where we lived and trained. I loved my team for that." — defensive tackle David Parry '14
"I was thinking it was one of those games that can define your season. I know how hard it is to win at Autzen in that environment. I was proud to see the team fight through the adversity and set up a great matchup with a highly-ranked Notre Dame team." — free safety Ed Reynolds '15
"The team never doubted. Guys were unflappable across the board. I was thinking how in 2010 we were up and thought the game was sealed, and how we never got the revenge of the comeback.
"I feel like in college football, you can almost always find a guy who lost the game. But watching this game, we had 10-plus guys that had to make a play to win the game. Guys stepped up instead of their team faltering. Joey Alfieri with the return. K.J. Costello unflappable. Kaden Smith converting. Bryce Love running fast. Colby Parkinson making a play. Noah Williams stepping up. Paulson Adebo unwavering. Every one of those guys made plays that had to be made, and it makes me love this team. I freaking loved that game." — center Sam Schwartzstein '12
"I think more than anything, I was proud. It shows an incredible amount of resilience and fortitude to be able to regroup and find a path to victory, especially somewhere like Eugene." — inside linebacker Shayne Skov '13
"I was pumped for the guys on the team. There are probably 20 plays where any one mistake would have prevented the comeback, but they never quit. Starting with Frank Buncom straining and diving at the Oregon player to force him to hit the pylon out of bounds. It's the effort on those plays where the other team has already succeeded that can make all the difference. Similar to when Devon Carrington chase down Mariota in 2012. Anyone can strain when there's smooth sailing, and no one would have noticed if D.C. ran 75 percent and Mariota scores. No one would have noticed had Buncom not swiped those last six inches at the guy's cleat and he scores. Instead those guys strained to finish plays that Oregon had already won. That is nothing but pride, will and selflessness.
"Joey Alfieri able to stay up while picking up the fumble cleanly and running full speed to take it the distance. Then you have Bryce Love who recognizes the sense of urgency the team has and beats the puller to the whole on his way to a touchdown. Next you have Noah Williams, who earned a scholarship less than two weeks previous, coming in to the biggest stage and biggest moment of his playing career thus far and forcing a fumble. There are elite college football players who will go on to play in the NFL for a long time, who won't ever make a play like that in crunch time during college.
"The field goal drive to tie it up was also flawless. Something as small as JJ Arcega-Whiteside making two guys miss and getting out of bounds. Overtime speaks for itself. Colby makes an incredible catch, Costello orchestrating. Defense comes out after not playing their best game and gets the stop. Paulson Adebo is the best corner I've seen play at Stanford. Alijah Holder makes the pass breakup to force an interception look as easy as a Monday practice.
"All those plays combined, it was just freaking awesome to see the fight that the guys had—no matter the score, no matter the environment." — inside linebacker A.J. Tarpley '14
"Not going to lie, the first half was tough. But one thing you can always count on: Coach Shaw is the best in the business on making halftime adjustments and getting his players to execute in the second half. They never quit. Just stuck to the game plan, trusted their coaches and their fellow teammates, and found a way to get themselves back into it. The big time players made big time plays down the stretch, and that's what good teams do. One of the very best Stanford-Oregon games that I can remember watching or participating in. On to Notre Dame!" — outside linebacker Chase Thomas '12
"It was awesome because I went to a big alumni event in Austin to watch with Keanu Nelson and Reed Miller. The game brought back a lot of emotions. It felt exactly like the game we played in 2012. As soon as we got close, I knew Jet Toner was going to split the uprights. I knew exactly what was going through his mind and was completely confident he would nail it. To see the resiliency of the team really brought me back to everything we experienced in Eugene in 2012. The Oregon games have always had a little more excitement for me because of what that game meant to me. It finally came full circle for me that night from my freshman year. I watch the Oregon game every year, no matter where I am. It added that much more excitement and energy into the room. Everyone asked me, 'What's he thinking right now?' I told them Jet was completely solid, and there was no doubt in my mind." — kicker Jordan Williamson '14
"That was one of the wildest Stanford games I've ever seen. I loved every moment. It was great to see the boys take a punch and come back over and over again. You saw guys trust each other. There was no panic in them—all fight. They took advantage of every opportunity and made Oregon pay for their mistakes. I loved watching every minute of it. That was probably the best quarterback duel we will see all season in college football. Credit their quarterback, an elite talent, but our guy was dealing. I think he can be special. It looks like he can lead, too. It was just a whole lot of fun to watch all-around." — offensive guard/tackle David Yankey '14
"When the W was sealed, it brought back similar waves of euphoria I felt that night in 2012. Palpable electricity in the air all around Stanford football." — punter Daniel Zychlinski '12