Stanford coach David Shaw discusses how to stop Oregon Ducks QB Marcus Mariota By Andrew Greif | agreif@oregonian September 26, 2014 at 10:15 AM EUGENE -- Stanford head coach David Shaw was on Fox Sports Live late Thursday evening and was asked to discuss how he and the Cardinal have beaten the Oregon Ducks in each of Marcus Mariotas first two seasons as quarterback. Few teams have had the success containing Mariota like the Cardinal. Much of the praise for the work of those Stanford defenses against Oregons offense was credited to then-defensive coordinator Derek Mason, who left The Farm last winter to become Vanderbilts head coach. The Ducks and Cardinal play Nov. 1 in Eugene. Here is a transcription of Shaws comments while he was on set with former NFL and college coach Dave Wannstedt, a Fox Sports 1 analyst, and host Mike Hill. Shaw was asked to explain why Stanford has been successful limiting Mariota. Shaw: Keeping the ball away from Marcus as much as possible. Running the ball, and running the clock and also scoring touchdowns. Keeping the ball away from him doesnt mean anything if you dont score touchdowns. Secondly playing great team defense and not trying to stop him, you know, you just try to slow him down and corral him, keep him in the pocket as much as possible because if he gets out he can kill you. Hill: This guy is incredible. Once again, a Heisman front-runner. Wannstedt: Now this guy has to play him again, hes not going to give out any secrets, Im going to give a little coach talk. Hill: Nov. 1 you guys have him up in Oregon, he may be 0-3 by that time. Who does (Mariota) remind you of? Wannstedt: The guy, having a chance to study him this year obviously before the Michigan State game a lot, Russell Wilson is a guy, a player, a great player that I had a chance to compete against when he was at N.C. State and obviously with the Seattle Seahawks. The first thing that both these guys do is I think they can throw the ball and make good decisions on the field and theyre accurate passers. The second thing youve got to be able to read the front, where the linebackers are at, and make good decisions on the read game, the quarterback reader, whether to give it or take it. They both do that. Lastly what coach Shaw was talking about, both these guys have the ability when everybody is covered and youre trying to contain rushers to get away and still make plays. ... Hill: Do you like that comparison? Shaw: I do, I do. Coach hit it right on the head. Im the son of a defensive coordinator and the guys that get defensive coordinators are those quarterbacks who when you play the perfect defense and they still take off running and kill you, thats whats so scary about Marcus. In 2012 against Stanford, Mariota rushed 12 times for 89 yards and was 21-of-37 passing for 207 yards with an interception and a touchdown. In 2013, he played against the Cardinal despite a partially torn MCL, the Ducks revealed last season. He rushed six times for a loss of 16 yards, a number that includes three sacks, and fumbled three times, losing one. He was 20-of-34 passing for 250 yards and two touchdowns.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 18:30:00 +0000