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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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PALO ALTO, CA – AUGUST 31: Hunter Johnson #15 of the Northwestern Wildcats drops back to pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – AUGUST 31: Hunter Johnson #15 of the Northwestern Wildcats drops back to pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

1. The Northwestern QB1 job isn’t settled — yet

Hunter Johnson might have to start because TJ Green could miss the next game with a concussion, but he looked overwhelmed. The moment seemed too big for the former blue-chip transfer from Clemson.

You could see, however, the upside Hunter has. There were a couple of throws he made when he had time, that Green might not be able to make. While Green looked more comfortable in the offense than Johnson, Stanford’s defense limited both quarterbacks with pressure, and keeping the offense off schedule.

Coming into this game, this was the one of the best skill groups the Pat Fitzgerald’s had since he’s been in Evanston. However, their receivers looked over matched by Stanford’s secondary, and the Cardinal defensive line over-matched Northwestern’s offensive line. Suffice it to say the pieces around each quarterback did them no favors in today’s game.

Next. Top 50 college football players in 2019. dark

It might have been more Stanford’s defense than the quarterback play, but Pat Fitzgerald and offensive coordinator Mick McCall will take a look at a this game’s tape and figure out who the starting quarterback will be moving forward this season.

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