2011 Stanford Cardinal football team

The 2011 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Cardinal were led by former offensive coordinator and new head coach David Shaw, as Jim Harbaugh departed following the 2010 season in order to become the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. They played their home games at Stanford Stadium and are members of the North Division of the Pac-12 Conference. They finished the season with 11–2 in overall record, 8–1 in Pac-12 play to finish in a tie with Oregon for first place in the North Division. Due to their head-to-head loss to Oregon, they did not represent the division in the inaugural Pac-12 Football Championship Game. They were invited the Fiesta Bowl, their second consecutive BCS game, where they were defeated by Oklahoma State 38–41 in overtime.

2011 Stanford Cardinal football
Pac-12 North Division co-champion
Fiesta Bowl, L 38–41OT vs. Oklahoma State
Conference	Pac-12 Conference
Division	North Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 7
AP	No. 7
Record	11–2 (8–1 Pac-12)
Head coach	David Shaw (1st season)
Offensive coordinator	Pep Hamilton (1st season)
Offensive scheme	West Coast
Defensive coordinator	Derek Mason (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Jason Tarver (1st season)
Base defense	3–4
Captains	Andrew Luck Michael Thomas
Home stadium	Stanford Stadium
Seasons ← 2010 2012 →

2011 Pac-12 Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
North Division
No. 4 Oregon xy$		8	–	1					12	–	2
No. 7 Stanford x%		8	–	1					11	–	2
Washington		5	–	4					7	–	6
California		4	–	5					7	–	6
Oregon State		3	–	6					3	–	9
Washington State		2	–	7					4	–	8
South Division
No. 6 USC †		7	–	2					10	–	2
UCLA xy		5	–	4					6	–	8
Utah		4	–	5					8	–	5
Arizona State		4	–	5					6	–	7
Arizona		2	–	7					4	–	8
Colorado		2	–	7					3	–	10
Championship: Oregon 49, UCLA 31
$ – BCS representative as conference champion % – BCS at-large representative x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant † – USC ineligible for championship and post-season due to NCAA sanctions Rankings from AP Poll

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 3	2:00 p.m.	San Jose State*	No. 7	Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA (Bill Walsh Legacy Game)	CSNBA	W 57–3	47,816[1]
September 10	12:30 p.m.	at Duke*	No. 6	Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC	ESPNU	W 44–14	24,785[2]
September 17	7:45 p.m.	at Arizona	No. 6	Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ	ESPN	W 37–10	49,636[3]
October 1	7:30 p.m.	UCLA	No. 6	Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA	FSN	W 45–19	50,360[4]
October 8	4:30 p.m.	Colorado	No. 7	Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA	Versus	W 48–7	50,360[5]
October 15	4:30 p.m.	at Washington State	No. 7	Martin Stadium Pullman, WA	Versus	W 44–14	30,843[6]
October 22	5:00 p.m.	No. 22 Washington	No. 7	Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA	ABC/ESPN3	W 65–21	50,360[7]
October 29	5:00 p.m.	at No. 20 USC	No. 4	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA (rivalry) (College GameDay)	ABC/ESPN3	W 56–48 3OT	93,607[8]
November 5	12:30 p.m.	at Oregon State	No. 4	Reser Stadium Corvallis, OR	ABC	W 38–13	42,835[9]
November 12	5:00 p.m.	No. 6 Oregon	No. 3	Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA (College GameDay)	ABC	L 30–53	50,360[10]
November 19	7:15 p.m.	California	No. 8	Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA (114th Big Game/Stanford Axe)	ESPN	W 31–28	50,360[11]
November 26	5:00 p.m.	No. 22 Notre Dame*	No. 4	Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA (Legends Trophy)	ABC	W 28–14	50,360[12]
January 2, 2012	5:30 p.m.	vs. No. 3 Oklahoma State*	No. 4	University of Phoenix Stadium Glendale, AZ (Fiesta Bowl)	ESPN	L 38–41 OT	69,927[13]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Pacific time

Game summaries

San Jose State

San Jose State at #7 Stanford

1 2 3 4 Total Spartans 0 3 0 0 3 • Cardinal 10 17 16 14 57 Date: September 3 Location: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California Game start: 2:00 p.m. PDT TV announcers (CSNBA): Scott Reiss (Play-by-play), Mike McLaughlin (Color) & Chris Townsend (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 8:51 STAN Jordan Williamson 23-yard field goal STAN 3–0 1 0:57 STAN Andrew Luck 1-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 10–0 2 14:55 STAN Zach Ertz 13-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 17–0 2 9:48 STAN Jordan Williamson 37-yard field goal STAN 20–0 2 2:25 STAN Ryan Hewitt 2-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 27–0 2 0:49 SJSU Harrison Waid 18-yard field goal STAN 27–3 3 13:13 STAN Safety, Matt Faulkner tackled by Ben Gardner in end zone STAN 29–3 3 6:08 STAN Stepfan Taylor 3-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 36–3 3 2:07 STAN Stepfan Taylor 1-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 43–3 4 10:02 STAN Tyler Gaffney 16-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 50–3 4 9:04 STAN Coby Fleener 39-yard pass from Brett Nottingham (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 57–3

See also: 2011 San Jose State Spartans football team

Known as the "Bill Walsh Legacy Game" (Bill Walsh was a graduate of San Jose State and a two-time head coach at Stanford), this game marked the 65th meeting between Stanford and San Jose State—the most times Stanford has faced a single non-Pac-12 opponent. Entering the game with a record-high #7 preseason ranking (this ties the 1950 team's #7 preseason ranking, the team's highest-ever ranking), the Cardinal achieved their 50th win in the series as 2011 Heisman Trophy runner-up Andrew Luck threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third. In all, six Stanford players scored touchdowns, with running back Stepfan Taylor scoring twice on short rushes.^[1][14]

At Duke

#6 Stanford at Duke

1 2 3 4 Total • Cardinal 7 10 13 14 44 Blue Devils 0 7 0 7 14 Date: September 10 Location: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, North Carolina Game start: 3:30 p.m. EDT TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick (Play-by-play), Brian Griese (Color) & Allison Williams (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 10:01 STAN Coby Fleener 3-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 7–0 2 12:01 STAN Jordan Williamson 40-yard field goal STAN 10–0 2 2:14 DUKE Lee Butler 76-yard interception return (Will Snyderwine kick) STAN 10–7 2 0:39 STAN Chris Owusu 10-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 17–7 3 6:41 STAN Coby Fleener 60-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 24–7 3 4:06 STAN Jeremy Stewart 30-yard run (kick failed) STAN 30–7 4 14:56 STAN Zach Ertz 3-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 37–7 4 8:00 STAN Tyler Gaffney 30-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 44–7 4 0:57 DUKE Anthony Boone 2-yard run (Jeffrey Ijjas kick) STAN 44–14

See also: 2011 Duke Blue Devils football team

The Cardinal held a 10–0 lead late in the first half due to an Andrew Luck touchdown pass to Coby Fleener and a 40-yard Jordan Williamson field goal. Duke made a game of it after safety Lee Butler returned a deflected pass 76 yards for a touchdown and the Blue Devils recovered an onside kick on the next play. But Stanford held Duke to a single series, and following a short punt, scored another touchdown before halftime. The second half was all Stanford, as Luck threw two more touchdowns, Jonathan Stewart ran for a 30-yard score, and Tyler Gaffney added a one-yard plunge to rout the Blue Devils.^[2]

At Arizona

#6 Stanford at Arizona

1 2 3 4 Total • Cardinal 10 6 7 14 37 Wildcats 0 10 0 0 10 Date: September 17 Location: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona Game start: 7:45 p.m. MST TV announcers (ESPN): Carter Blackburn (Play-by-play), Brock Huard (Color) & Shelley Smith (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 6:11 STAN Jordan Williamson 20-yard field goal STAN 3–0 1 1:59 STAN Anthony Wilkerson 24-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 10–0 2 14:15 ARIZ Jaime Salazar 27-yard field goal STAN 10–3 2 9:42 STAN Jordan Williamson 45-yard field goal STAN 13–3 2 5:57 ARIZ Juron Criner 6-yard pass from Nick Foles (Jaime Salazar kick) STAN 13–10 2 1:22 STAN Jordan Williamson 33-yard field goal STAN 16–10 3 5:22 STAN Zach Ertz 16-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 23–10 4 14:54 STAN Levine Toilolo 34-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 30–10 4 8:00 STAN Jeremy Stewart 2-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 37–10

See also: 2011 Arizona Wildcats football team

Stepfan Taylor rushed for a career-high 153 yards and Andrew Luck threw for 325 yards as the Cardinal held the Wildcats scoreless in the second half to win 37–10. Arizona quarterback Nick Foles completed his first 17 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown, but after that, he was 7 for 16 and 41 yards as the Cardinal began to break down the passing attack.^[3] The victory was costly for the Cardinal, however, as junior linebacker and leading tackler Shayne Skov suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter.^[15]

UCLA

UCLA at #6 Stanford

1 2 3 4 Total Bruins 0 7 6 6 19 • Cardinal 7 10 14 14 45 Date: October 1 Location: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California Game start: 7:30 PDT TV announcers (FSN): Joel Meyers (Play-by-play), Brian Baldinger (Color) & Jim Knox (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 0:09 STAN Coby Fleener 18-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 7–0 2 9:19 STAN Stepfan Taylor 2-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 14–0 2 2:37 STAN Jordan Williamson 23-yard field goal STAN 17–0 2 0:08 UCLA Joseph Fauria 12-yard pass from Richard Brehaut (Jeff Locke kick) STAN 17–7 3 14:15 STAN Coby Fleener 51-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 24–7 3 10:31 UCLA Joseph Fauria 13-yard pass from Richard Brehaut (kick failed) STAN 24–13 3 2:43 STAN Tyler Gaffney 16-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 31–13 4 13:21 UCLA Josh Smith 7-yard run (kick failed) STAN 31–19 4 10:22 STAN Stepfan Taylor 1-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 38–19 4 1:51 STAN Chris Owusu 5-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 45–19

See also: 2011 UCLA Bruins football team

Coming into the game, Stanford trailed UCLA 45–33–3 in a series that dates back to 1925 and both teams had the same 19–19–2 record for games played at Stanford. Stanford's Coby Fleener scored on 18 and 51-yard receptions and Stepfan Taylor added two rushing touchdowns as the Cardinal downed UCLA 45–19. UCLA tight end Joseph Fauria caught two of the Bruin touchdown passes.^[4]

Colorado

Colorado at #7 Stanford

1 2 3 4 Total Buffaloes 0 7 0 0 7 • Cardinal 13 14 14 7 48 Date: October 8 Location: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California Game start: 4:30 p.m. PDT TV announcers (Versus): Ted Robinson (Play-by-play), Glenn Parker (Color) & Akbar Gbaja-Biamila (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 11:01 STAN Max Bergen 75-yard blocked field goal return (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 7–0 1 5:33 STAN Stepfan Taylor 1-yard run (kick failed) STAN 13–0 2 12:54 COL Tony Jones 7-yard pass from Tyler Hansen (Will Oliver kick) STAN 13–7 2 6:48 STAN Jeremy Stewart 1-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 20–7 2 2:07 STAN Ryan Hewitt 1-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 27–7 3 11:03 STAN Ryan Hewitt 10-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 34–7 3 2:03 STAN Tyler Gaffney 1-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 41–7 4 11:02 STAN Griff Whalen 30-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 48–7

See also: 2011 Colorado Buffaloes football team

Andrew Luck threw for 370 yards—the second-most in his college career—and three touchdowns as the Cardinal routed Colorado, 48–7 and improved to 5–0 on the season, Stanford's best start since the 1951 season.^[16] Stanford linebacker Max Bergen blocked a Colorado field goal attempt in the first quarter and ran back the ball 75 yards for Stanford's first score. Fullback Ryan Hewitt caught two of Luck's touchdown passes with Griff Whalen catching the other. Three different running backs scored for the Cardinal on one-yard rushes.^[5]

At Washington State

#7 Stanford at Washington State

1 2 3 4 Total • Cardinal 3 7 14 20 44 Cougars 0 7 0 7 14 Date: October 15 Location: Martin Stadium, Pullman, Washington Game start: 4:30 p.m. PDT TV announcers (Versus): Ted Robinson (Play-by-play), Glenn Parker (Color) & Akbar Gbaja-Biamila (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 1:34 STAN Jordan Williamson 23-yard field goal STAN 3–0 2 8:41 STAN Jeremy Stewart 1-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 10–0 2 2:18 WSU Carl Winston 2-yard run (Andrew Furney kick) STAN 10–7 3 10:58 STAN Levine Toilolo 10-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 17–7 3 1:18 STAN Levine Toilolo 26-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 24–7 4 13:52 STAN Stepfan Taylor 8-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 31–7 4 4:26 STAN Coby Fleener 28-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 38–7 4 0:14 WSU Marshall Lobbestael 1-yard run (Andrew Furney kick) STAN 38–14 4 0:00 STAN Ty Montgomery 96-yard kickoff return (no kick) STAN 44–14

See also: 2011 Washington State Cougars football team

Andrew Luck threw an interception on his first pass of the game, but recovered to throw four second-half passes—two to tight end Levine Toilolo—as the Cardinal routed the Cougars, 44–14. At the end of the first half, Washington State had closed to within 10–7 on a two-yard run from Carl Winston, but that would end their scoring until a short touchdown dive with 14 seconds left in the game. On the ensuing kickoff of that final Cougar touchdown, Stanford's Ty Montgomery returned the kick 96 yards as time expired to give the Cardinal a 30-point win.^[6] Stanford won its 14th consecutive game, setting a school record (breaking the marks set in 1904–1905 and 1939–1940–1941) and extending the nation's longest current winning streak.^[17] The team won by its ninth consecutive 25+ point victory margin, the longest such streak in the BCS era since Boise State in 2002.^[17]

Washington

#22 Washington at #7 Stanford

1 2 3 4 Total Huskies 7 7 0 7 21 • Cardinal 10 28 10 17 65 Date: October 22 Location: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California Game start: 5:00 p.m. PDT TV announcers (ABC/ESPN3): Sean McDonough (Play-by-play), Matt Millen (Color) & Heather Cox (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 11:35 STAN Jeremy Stewart 2-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 7–0 1 6:46 STAN Jordan Williamson 39-yard field goal STAN 10–0 1 3:00 WASH Chris Polk 46-yard run (Erik Folk kick) STAN 10–7 2 14:26 STAN Coby Fleener 1-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 17–7 2 13:34 WASH Chris Polk 61-yard run (Erik Folk kick) STAN 17–14 2 13:18 STAN Stepfan Taylor 70-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 24–14 2 3:44 STAN Drew Terrell 5-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 31–14 2 0:56 STAN Michael Thomas 62-yard interception return (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 38–14 3 11:16 STAN Tyler Gaffney 4-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 45–14 3 3:51 STAN Jordan Williamson 30-yard field goal STAN 48–14 4 12:48 WASH Evan Hudson 2-yard pass from Keith Price (Erik Folk kick) STAN 48–21 4 9:14 STAN Anthony Wilkerson 18-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 55–21 4 7:37 STAN Jordan Williamson 32-yard field goal STAN 62–21 4 1:25 STAN Anthony Wilkerson 38-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 65–21

See also: 2011 Washington Huskies football team

Stanford set a single-game school rushing record of 446 yards (breaking the previous record of 439 set against Oregon State in 1981, led by Darrin Nelson's 190 yards) as the Cardinal overpowered the visiting Huskies 65–21. Stepfan Taylor ran for 138 yards and a touchdown, Tyler Gaffney had 117 yards and a touchdown, and Anthony Wilkerson had 93 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinal extended its streak of 15 consecutive wins (longest in school history, and longest current streak in the nation), as well as 10 consecutive wins by more than 25 points (longest streak in college football since the poll era began in 1936). Washington's Chris Polk had two long touchdown runs to highlight Washington's scoring.^[7][18]

At USC

See also: 2011 USC Trojans football team

#4 Stanford at #20 USC

1 2 3 4 OT 2OT 3OT Total • Cardinal 7 3 14 10 7 7 8 56 Trojans 3 3 14 14 7 7 0 48 Date: October 29 Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles Game start: 5:00 p.m. PDT TV announcers (ABC/ESPN3): Brent Musburger (Play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (Color) & Erin Andrews (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 8:56 STAN Tyler Gaffney 10-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Eric Whitaker kick) STAN 7–0 1 0:14 USC Andre Heidari 22-yard field goal STAN 7–3 2 7:10 STAN Eric Whitaker 33-yard field goal STAN 10–3 2 0:11 USC Andre Heidari 50-yard field goal STAN 10–6 3 13:54 USC Curtis McNeal 61-yard run (Andre Heidari kick) USC 13–10 3 10:30 USC Curtis McNeal 25-yard run (Andre Heidari kick) USC 20–10 3 6:34 STAN Ryan Hewitt 5-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Eric Whitaker kick) USC 20–17 3 1:22 STAN Andrew Luck 2-yard run (Eric Whitaker kick) STAN 24–20 4 13:04 USC Marqise Lee 28-yard pass from Matt Barkley (Andre Heidari kick) USC 27–24 4 5:10 STAN Eric Whitaker 29-yard field goal Tied 27–27 4 3:08 USC Nickell Robey 33-yard interception return (Andre Heidari kick) USC 34–27 4 0:38 STAN Stefan Taylor 2-yard run (Eric Whitaker kick) Tied 34–34 OT STAN Jeremy Stewart 1-yard run (Eric Whitaker kick) STAN 41–34 OT USC Robert Woods 15-yard pass from Matt Barkley (Andre Heidari kick) Tied 41–41 2OT USC Randall Telfer 12-yard pass from Matt Barkley (Andre Heidari kick) USC 48–41 2OT STAN Levine Toilolo 11-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Eric Whitaker kick) Tied 48–48 3OT STAN Stepfan Taylor 5-yard run (Andrew Luck to Coby Fleener pass) STAN 56–48

The Cardinal outlasted the Trojans in a triple overtime thriller, winning 56–48, and remaining unbeaten and in the hunt for the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. The Cardinal led 10–6 at halftime, but on the first series of the second half, USC running back Curtis MacNeal broke free for a 61-yard touchdown run to put the Cardinal behind in a game for the first time all season. MacNeal added another score on USC's next series to put Stanford further in the hole. But Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck led the Cardinal right back, firing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Hewitt and adding a 2-yard rush of his own to put the Cardinal back up by 3 at the end of three quarters. In the fourth quarter, Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley put USC ahead on a 28-yard touchdown pass to Marqise Lee, which was followed by a Stanford field goal to tie the game at 27 apiece.^[8]

With about 5 minutes remaining, Stanford began what they hoped would be a game-winning last drive, but Luck's pass was intercepted by Nickell Robey and returned for a USC score to put the Trojans on top. But the Cardinal recovered, and on the ensuing drive, Luck led the Cardinal for a tying Stepfan Taylor touchdown rush with 38 seconds left to send the game to overtime. After both teams scored in the first two overtime periods, the Cardinal had the ball first in the third overtime, scoring on a Taylor 5-yard run and converting on the mandatory 2-point conversion. On the first play of USC's possession, Barkley completed a 21-yard pass to Lee to put the Trojans on the 4-yard line. On the next play, Barkley handed off to MacNeal. Stanford defensive tackle Terrence Stephens reached up from the ground and stripped the ball, which rolled into the end zone where Stanford linebacker A.J. Tarpley pounced on it to end the game and secure a Stanford victory.^[8]

At Oregon State

#4 Stanford at Oregon State

1 2 3 4 Total • Cardinal 0 17 14 7 38 Beavers 0 7 6 0 13 Date: November 5 Location: Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Oregon Game start: 12:30 p.m. PDT TV announcers (ABC): Carter Blackburn (Play-by-play) & Brock Huard (Color)

Scoring summary 2 14:57 STAN Jeremy Stewart 2-yard run (Eric Whitaker kick) STAN 7–0 2 7:51 STAN Griff Whalen 17-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Eric Whitaker kick) STAN 14–0 2 5:25 OSU James Rodgers 15-yard pass from Sean Mannion (Trevor Romaine kick) STAN 14–7 2 0:35 STAN Eric Whitaker 31-yard field goal STAN 17–7 3 11:59 OSU Malcolm Agnew 2-yard run (kick blocked) STAN 17–13 3 2:40 STAN Stepfan Taylor 27-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Eric Whitaker kick) STAN 24–13 3 0:35 STAN Coby Fleener 14-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Eric Whitaker kick) STAN 31–13 4 6:07 STAN Tyler Gaffney 10-yard run (Eric Whitaker kick) STAN 38–13

See also: 2011 Oregon State Beavers football team

Stanford rushed for 300 yards behind strong performances from all its backs, led by Stepfan Taylor's 95 yards, to hold off the Beavers, 38–13. Andrew Luck threw for 206 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Oregon State's Sean Mannion threw for 252 yards and one touchdown. Luck moved within 6 passing touchdowns of both the Stanford single-season mark of 32 (set by Luck in 2010) and of the Stanford career touchdown mark of 77 held by John Elway.^[9]

Oregon

#6 Oregon at #3 Stanford

1 2 3 4 Total • Ducks 8 14 14 17 53 Cardinal 0 16 7 7 30 Date: November 12 Location: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California Game start: 5:00 p.m. PST TV announcers (ABC): Brent Musburger (Play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (Color) & Erin Andrews (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 4:12 ORE Lavasier Tuinei 4 Yd Pass From Darron Thomas (David Paulson pass to Mike Garrity) ORE 8–0 2 13:51 STAN Griff Whalen 16-yard pass from Andrew Luck (PAT failed) ORE 8–6 2 11:49 ORE LaMichael James 58-yard run (Alejandro Maldonado kick) ORE 15–6 2 4:57 STAN Eric Whitaker 37 yard field goal ORE 15–9 2 2:52 ORE De'Anthony Thomas 41-yard pass from Darron Thomas (Alejandro Maldonado kick) ORE 22–9 2 0:24 STAN Griff Whalen 13-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Eric Whitaker kick) ORE 22–16 3 13:23 ORE Josh Huff 59-yard pass from Darron Thomas (Alejandro Maldonado kick) ORE 29–16 3 7:41 ORE LaMichael James 4-yard run (Alejandro Maldonado kick) ORE 36–16 3 2:38 STAN Jeremy Stewart 2-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Eric Whitaker kick) ORE 36–23 4 14:02 ORE LaMichael James 1-yard run (Alejandro Maldonado kick) ORE 43–23 4 9:37 STAN Jeremy Stewart 1-yard run (Eric Whitaker kick) ORE 43–30 4 5:09 ORE Alejandro Maldonado 40-yard field goal ORE 46–30 4 4:28 ORE Boseko Lokombo 40 Yd interception return (Alejandro Maldonado kick) ORE 53–30

See also: 2011 Oregon Ducks football team

Oregon's LaMichael James rushed for 146 yards and 3 touchdowns as the #6 Ducks defeated the #3 Cardinal 53–30. After falling behind early in the first half, the Cardinal closed to within a touchdown on an Andrew Luck touchdown pass to Griff Whalen shortly before halftime. The Ducks blew the game open in the second half, with two short touchdowns by James and a Boseko Lokombo interception of a Luck pass returned 40 yards for a touchdown.^[10] Stanford did not lose at home again until the second game of the 2014 season, when it lost 13-10 to visiting USC, ending the longest home winning streak in the nation at 17.

California

California at #9 Stanford

1 2 3 4 Total Golden Bears 10 3 0 15 28 • Cardinal 7 7 14 3 31 Date: November 19 Location: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California Game start: 7:15 p.m. PST TV announcers (ESPN): Carter Blackburn (Play-by-play), Brock Huard (Color) & Shelley Smith (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 13:42 STAN Ty Montgomery 34-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 7–0 1 7:12 CAL Giorgio Tavecchio 25-yard field goal STAN 7–3 1 5:53 CAL Keenan Allen 17-yard pass from Zach Maynard (Giorgio Tavecchio kick) CAL 10–7 2 10:40 CAL Giorgio Tavecchio 19-yard field goal CAL 13–7 2 7:10 STAN Tyler Gaffney 6-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 14–13 3 10:12 STAN Levine Toilolo 4-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 21–13 3 5:42 STAN Ryan Hewitt 10-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 28–13 4 10:53 CAL Spencer Hagen 3-yard pass from Zach Maynard (Zach Maynard to Marvin Jones pass) STAN 28–21 4 3:07 STAN Jordan Williamson 35-yard field goal STAN 31–21 4 0:14 CAL C.J. Anderson 1-yard run (Giorgio Tavecchio kick) STAN 31–28

See also: 2011 California Golden Bears football team, Big Game (American football), and Stanford Axe

In a rain-soaked game, the Cardinal held on to defeat the Bears 31–28. The Cardinal scored on the third play from scrimmage on a reverse to Ty Montgomery, who ran 34 yards for the score. The Bears added two Giorgio Tavecchio field goals and a 17-yard touchdown pass from Zack Maynard to Keenan Allen to move in front 13–7, before a Tyler Gaffney run gave Stanford back the lead in the middle of the third quarter. Touchdown passes to Levine Toilolo and Ryan Hewitt in the third quarter extended the lead. The Bears scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to move within 3 points with seconds to play, but Stanford recovered the onside kick to retain possession of the Axe for another year.^[11]

Notre Dame

#22 Notre Dame at #4 Stanford

1 2 3 4 Total Fighting Irish 0 0 7 7 14 • Cardinal 7 14 0 7 28 Date: November 26 Location: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California Game start: 5:00 p.m. PST TV announcers (ABC): Brent Musburger (Play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (Color) & Erin Andrews (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 9:16 STAN Levine Toilolo 3-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 7–0 2 4:45 STAN Coby Fleener 28-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson) STAN 14–0 2 0:10 STAN Ty Montgomery 11-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson) STAN 21–0 3 6:21 ND Michael Floyd 6-yard pass from Andrew Hendrix (David Ruffer kick) STAN 21–7 4 5:40 STAN Coby Fleener 55-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 28–7 4 0:23 ND Andrew Hendrix 2-yard run (David Ruffer kick) STAN 28–14

See also: 2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team and Notre Dame – Stanford rivalry

Powered by four Andrew Luck touchdown passes, the Cardinal defeated the Fighting Irish in Luck's final home game at Stanford 28–14. With the first score, Luck tied John Elway's Stanford career touchdown total, and surpassed it. The Stanford defense held Notre Dame scoreless until midway through the third quarter, forcing a fumble and recording two interceptions. The Cardinal won its third in a row against Notre Dame, extending its longest winning streak in the rivalry that dates to 1925.^[12]

Fiesta Bowl vs. Oklahoma State

Main article: 2012 Fiesta Bowl

See also: 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team

#4 Stanford vs. #3 Oklahoma State

1 2 3 4 OT Total Cardinal 7 14 7 10 0 38 • Cowboys 0 21 3 14 3 41 Date: January 2 Location: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Game start: 6:50 p.m. MST Game attendance: 69,927 TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough (Play-by-play), Matt Millen (Color) & Heather Cox (Sideline)

Scoring summary 1 4:16 STAN Ty Montgomery 53-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 7–0 2 10:21 STAN Jeremy Stewart 24-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 14–0 2 8:50 OSU Justin Blackmon 43-yard pass from Brandon Weeden (Quinn Sharp kick) STAN 14–7 2 6:19 OSU Justin Blackmon 67-yard pass from Brandon Weeden (Quinn Sharp kick) Tied 14–14 2 2:25 STAN Stepfan Taylor 4-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 21–14 2 0:27 OSU Brandon Weeden 2-yard run (Quinn Sharp kick) Tied 21–21 3 8:22 STAN Zach Ertz 16-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 28–21 3 5:21 OSU Quinn Sharp 19-yard field goal STAN 28–24 4 14:16 STAN Jordan Williamson 30-yard field goal STAN 31-24 4 11:53 OSU Justin Blackmon 17-yard pass from Brandon Weeden (Quinn Sharp kick) Tied 31–31 4 4:34 STAN Stepfan Taylor 1-yard run (Jordan Williamson kick) STAN 38–31 4 2:35 OSU Joseph Randle 4-yard run (Quinn Sharp kick) Tied 38–38 OT OSU Quinn Sharp 22-yard field goal OSU 41–38

In a back-and-forth thriller, the Cardinal fell to the Cowboys in overtime, 41–38, after kicker Jordan Williamson missed two late field goals, one at the end of regulation and one in overtime. Stanford rolled up 590 yards of total offense, including 347 passing yards and two touchdown passes from Andrew Luck and 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Stepfan Taylor, but Oklahoma State kept them close, forcing four ties but never taking the lead until the game's final play. Cowboys' quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon connected for three touchdown passes, but ultimately, the game was decided by special teams, with Oklahoma State kicker Quinn Sharp connecting on a 22-yard field goal in overtime shortly after Williamson missed his attempt from 43 yards.^[13]

Rankings

See also: 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	7	6	6	5	6	7	7	7	4	4	3	8	4	4	4	7
Coaches	6	6	6	5	4	4	5	5	3	3	2	9	5	4	4	7
Harris	Not released						7 (1)	7 (1)	4 (1)	4 (1)	3 (2)	7	4	3	4	Not released
BCS	Not released							8	6	4	4	9	6	4	4	Not released

Personnel

Coaching staff

• David Shaw – Head coach
• Derek Mason – Associate head coach/co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs
• Pep Hamilton – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
• Jason Tarver – Co-defensive coordinator/inside linebackers
• Randy Hart – Defensive line
• Mike Bloomgren – Running game coordinator/offensive line
• Mike Sanford Jr. – Running backs
• Lance Anderson – Outside linebackers
• Brian Polian – Recruiting coordinator/special teams/safeties
• Ron crook – Tight ends/offensive tackles
• Shannon turley – Head strength coach
• Nick Holz – Offensive assistant
• Aaron Moorehead – Offensive assistant
• Morgan turner – Offensive assistant
• Chester McGlockton – Defensive assistant
• Tavita Pritchard – Defensive assistant
• Jordan sundheim – Graduate assistant

Roster

2011 Stanford Cardinal
Quarterbacks 5 Evan Crower – Freshman 6 Josh Nunes – Sophomore 8 Kevin Hogan – Freshman 10 David Olson – Freshman 12 Andrew Luck – Junior 16 Robbie Picazo – Sophomore 19 Adam Brzeczek – Freshman Running backs  4 Michael Spanos – Sophomore 22 Remound Wright – Freshman 23 Jackson Cummings – Freshman 25 Tyler Gaffney – Junior 29 Andrew Stutz – Sophomore 30 Ricky Seale – Freshman 32 Anthony Wilkerson – Sophomore 33 Stepfan Taylor – Junior 34 Jeremy Stewart – Senior 39 Kelsey Young – Freshman Fullbacks 10 Geoff Meinken – Sophomore 36 Lee Ward – Freshman 85 Ryan Hewitt – Sophomore Centers 61 Conor McFadden – Freshman 64 Sam Schwartzstein – Junior 65 Khalil Wilkes – Sophomore Offensive guards 50 Cole Underwood – Freshman 52 David DeCastro – Junior 63 Kevin Reihner – Freshman 66 Matt Bentler – Senior 75 Dillon Bonnell – Freshman 76 Kevin Danser – Sophomore Offensive tackles 54 David Yankey – Freshman 55 Jonathan Martin – Junior 60 Brian Moran – Freshman 73 Cameron Fleming – Freshman 74 Brendon Austin – Freshman 77 Tyler Mabry – Senior		Wide receivers  2 Corey Gatewood – Senior  4 Drew Terrell – Junior  13 Rollins Stallworth – Freshman  17 Griff Whalen – Senior 18 Jeff Trojan – Freshman 20 Keanu Nelson – Freshman 21 Jamal-Rashad Patterson – Junior 44 John Flacco – Freshman 80 Sam Knapp – Sophomore 81 Chris Owusu – Senior 84 Jemari Roberts – Sophomore 87 Jordan Pratt – Freshman 88 Ty Montgomery – Freshman 89 Devon Cajuste – Freshman Tight ends 9 Brandon Gottfried – Freshman 11 Levine Toilolo – Sophomore 46 Matt Kasner – Freshman 82 Coby Fleener – Senior 83 Davis Dudchock – Freshman 86 Zach Ertz – Sophomore Defensive tackles 56 Jacob Gowan – Sophomore 58 David Parry – Freshman 72 J.B. Salem – Freshman 95 Lance Callihan – Freshman 97 Anthony Hayes – Freshman 99 Terence Stephens – Junior Defensive ends 48 Kevin Anderson – Freshman 49 Ben Gardner – Sophomore 72 J.B. Salem – Freshman 79 Alex Yazdi – Freshman 90 Josh Mauro – Sophomore 91 Henry Anderson – Freshman 92 Charlie Hopkins – Freshman 96 Eddie Plantaric – Freshman 98 Matthew Masifilo – Senior		Linebackers 7 Patrick Skov – Freshman 9 James Vaughters – Freshman 11 Shayne Skov – Junior 17 A. J. Tarpley – Freshman 35 Jarek Lancaster – Sophomore 40 Joe Hemschoot – Freshman 42 Alex Debniak – Junior 43 Blake Lueders – Sophomore 44 Chase Thomas – Junior 50 Brent Etiz – Sophomore 51 Sam Mercer – Freshman 53 Torsten Rotto – Freshman 57 Max Bergen – Senior 93 Trent Murphy – Sophomore Defensive backs 2 Wayne Lyons – Freshman 8 Jordan Richards – Freshman 23 Ronnie Harris – Freshman 38 Ra’Chard Pippins – Freshman Cornerbacks 6 Terrence Brown – Sophomore 15 Usua Amanam – Sophomore 24 Quinn Evans – Junior 27 Johnson Bademosi – Senior 28 Harold Bernard – Junior 31 Barry Browning – Sophomore 37 Chris Gaertner – Freshman Safeties 3 Michael Thomas – Senior 5 Devon Carrington – Sophomore 15 Brent Seals – Sophomore 22 Kyle Olugbode – Freshman 26 Delano Howell – Senior 29 Ed Reynolds – Sophomore 41 Cason Kynes – Sophomore Kickers 19 Jordan Williamson – Sophomore 46 Eric Whitaker – Sophomore 47 Juan Castellanos – Freshman Punters 14 Ben Rhyne – Freshman 36 Daniel Zychlinski – Junior 38 David Green – Senior Long snappers 45 Andrew Fowler – 6th year Senior 62 Austin Tubbs – Freshman
Sources: 2011 Stanford Cardinal Football Media Guide[permanent dead link], 2011 Stanford Cardinal Football Roster

Statistics

Scores by quarter (all opponents)

1 2 3 4 OT 2OT 3OT Total Stanford 88 163 144 144 7 7 8 561 All Opponents 28 96 50 94 10 7 0 285

Scores by quarter (Pac-12 opponents)

1 2 3 4 OT 2OT 3OT Total Stanford 57 108 108 99 7 7 8 394 Pac-12 Opponents 28 62 43 66 7 7 0 213

References

1. "San Jose State Spartans vs. Stanford Cardinal Box Score". ESPN. September 3, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
2. "Stanford Cardinal vs. Duke Blue Devils Box Score". ESPN. September 10, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
3. "Stanford Cardinal vs. Arizona Wildcats Box Score". ESPN. September 17, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
4. "UCLA Bruins vs. Stanford Cardinal Box Score". ESPN. October 1, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
5. "Colorado Buffaloes vs. Stanford Cardinal Box Score". ESPN. October 8, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
6. "Stanford Cardinal vs. Washington State Cougars Box Score". ESPN. October 15, 2011. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
7. "Washington Huskies vs. Stanford Cardinal Box Score". ESPN. October 22, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
8. "Stanford Cardinal vs. USC Trojans Box Score". ESPN. October 29, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
9. "Stanford Cardinal vs. Oregon State Beavers Box Score". ESPN. November 5, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
10. "Oregon Ducks vs. Stanford Cardinal Box Score". ESPN. November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
11. "California Golden Bears vs. Stanford Cardinal Box Score". ESPN. November 19, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
12. "Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Stanford Cardinal Box Score". ESPN. November 26, 2011. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
13. "Stanford Cardinal vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys Box Score". ESPN. January 2, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
14. Gemmell, Kevin (September 2, 2011). "Stanford vs. SJSU Things to Know". ESPN. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
15. "Stanford LB Shayne Skov Out for 2011". ESPN. September 19, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
16. Blanchat, Jack (October 10, 2011). "Card Cruises Over Colorado". The Stanford Daily. Stanford University. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
17. Gemmell, Kevin (October 16, 2011). "Stanford News and Notes". ESPN. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
18. Peters, Keith (October 24, 2011). "An Award Winning Day for Stanford on Its Homecoming". Palo Alto Weekly. Retrieved October 24, 2011.