Stanford Football: 3 keys for bounce-back victory vs. UCF in Week 3

By Dante Pryor | Sep 13, 2019

PALO ALTO, CA - AUGUST 31: Michael Wilson #4 of the Stanford Cardinal reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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BOCA RATON, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 07: Brandon Wimbush #3 of the UCF Knights warms up prior to the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at FAU Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

2. Third-down defense must be stingy

This might seem cliche, but the Stanford Cardinal have to get off the field on third down against the Knights. One thing Stanford absolutely cannot do is allow Central Florida to keep drives going. One thing that has been missing ins Northern California is their physical defense and pass rush. They don’t have a Solomon Thomas type of pass rusher.

Stanford needs to find themselves defensively, and find a way to the quarterback in this game. They cannot allow Central Florida to be balanced on offense. If they find balance, Stanford is susceptible to the play action pass, and big plays. That’s just what the Knights want.

David Shaw and his defensive staff have to figure out how to get the Knights off schedule. He needs to get them in 3rd and long consistently. If UCF have third-and-manageable situations all night Stanford won’t know what’s coming — that means it will be a long night in Orlando for the Cardinal.

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