PLAYERS TO WATCH
–DB Ashtyn Davis had a crucial pick-six against Colorado, and head coach Justin Wilcox said his toughness and athletic versatility are virtues. While many track and field athletes who are also football players have a reputation of being easily injured, Wilcox said Davis (a high hurdles competitor) is quite the opposite. “He’s an elite talent,” Wilcox said. “He’s a football player who happens to be an elite high-hurdler.” Davis intercepted two passes against Colorado.
–LB Alex Funches provided a breakout game against Colorado, complementing fellow linebackers Evan Weaver and Jordan Kunaszyk with six tackles, a sack, a quarterback hurry and 2.5 tackles for a loss. Any extra help Cal can get pressuring Stanford QB K.J. Costello could be a game-changer.
–LB Evan Weaver had another mammoth game, and once again showed scouts why he could be an inside linebacker at the next level. Weaver posted a game-high 19 tackles, with two tackles for a loss and a sack. Weaver has also shown the ability to be a ball-hawk this season — this could be critical to keep QB K.J. Costello honest. And of course, Weaver must tackle elite tailback Bryce Love when he has the chance.
–P Steven Coutts, a senior from Brisbane, Australia, was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week. He put Colorado inside its 20-yard line five times without a touchback. Cal’s defensive approach is even more lethal when winning the field position battle, so Coutts could be an X-factor against Stanford.
–QB Chase Garbers was the very definition of game manager with good feet last week. Garbers went 14 for 26 for 116 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also posted 12 carries for a team-high 47 yards. Garbers is not posting mammoth numbers, but he has protected the football and allowed his defense to win games. His two TD strikes were to wide receiver Maurice Ways and tailback Patrick Laird.
SERIES HISTORY: Stanford leads the series 64-45-11 and has won eight consecutive matchups (every game since 2010). This is the longest win streak for either team in this series.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “They’re great for all of the people involved. It’s awesome. That’s the pageantry of college football, and the rivalry games. It’s going to be an unbelievable environment here … for us, it’s how well can we prepare.” — Cal head coach Justin Wilcox, on the build-up to the Big Game.
