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Stanford Football: 3 takeaways from clutch win over Northwestern

By Dante Pryor

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks up at the scoreboard in the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. Stanford won the game in overtime 38-31. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks up at the scoreboard in the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. Stanford won the game in overtime 38-31. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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BERKELEY, CA – DECEMBER 01: Cornerback Paulson Adebo #11 of the Stanford Cardinal intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Vic Wharton III #17 of the California Golden Bears during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Berkeley, California. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the California Golden Bears 23-13. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA – DECEMBER 01: Cornerback Paulson Adebo #11 of the Stanford Cardinal intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Vic Wharton III #17 of the California Golden Bears during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Berkeley, California. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the California Golden Bears 23-13. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

2. Both defenses came to play

Both the Wildcats and the Cardinal brought their defenses on Saturday.

Conversely, both offenses found it difficult to sustain drives all game long. The Cardinal limited the Wildcats offense to 4.3 yards per pass and 2.9 yards per rush. The Wildcats had issues all game long sustaining drives. Stanford did an outstanding job of pressuring both Hunter Johnson and TJ Green not giving either quarterback any time to throw or push the ball down the field.

Stanford’s front-seven was fantastic against the run for four quarters keeping the Wildcats in second and third and long all game long.

The Wildcats defense was not to be outdone. What hurt them was the offense going three and out most of the game. Northwestern did miss some tackles, but they held Stanford’s run game to 3.4 yards per carry, and the Cardinal lost two fumbles.

They kept Stanford in front of them all game long forcing them to sustain drives which they weren’t able to do consistently.

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