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Previewing the 2009 Stanford football running game
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Toby Gerhart, Toby Gerhart and Toby Gerhart. The Stanford football running game this year will be all about Toby Gerhart. In fact, the success of the Cardinal offense may ride on the back of Toby Gerhart.
Gerhart rushed for 1,136 yards last year which is a Stanford single season record. He did this while suffering a couple of injuries that reduced his playing time (a concussion and a minor knee injury) and splitting time with senior Anthony Kimble.
This year, Gerhart is the senior and does not have much competition for the ball. When asked at Autograph day how many yards he would rush for this season, Gerhart responded emphatically “2,000 yards!”
Gerhart has size and speed making him very difficult to bring down. As coach Harbaugh says, you better tackle him down at the legs because if you try to go high, Gerhart will bounce of you and sprint away.
If healthy, with a good offensive line, and a passing game to take some attention off of Gerhart, and he could be looking at a monster year. All the preseason hype in the Pac-10 is about Cal’s Jahvid Best and OSU’s Jaquizz Rodgers, but don’t forget about Gerhart.
Behind Gerhart there is not a lot of established depth. Jeremy Stewart will be the primary backup. The junior has 440 yards rushing in his two year career, most of that came as a true freshman when he subbed for the injured Gerhart.
Behind, Stewart, look for some true freshmen to earn some playing time. Local product Usua Amanam from Bellermine probably has the best chance to be seen, but Stepfan Taylor from Texas and Tyler Gaffney out of San Diego will be given plenty of opportunity to succeed.
At fullback, Stanford has one of the best. Owen Marecic is back to blast holes in the line for Gerhart. Harbaugh calls Marecic a “special, special player.” Marecic will be very special this year as he may get some time at linebacker as well as offense. With a solid wide receiver team, look for Stanford to run a lot of three-receiver sets which would put Marecic on the bench, and give him time to play some defense. But when he is on the field at fullback, he is a text book blocking back that Gerhart will love.
Overall, Stanford would appear thin at the running back position, at least until we see some of the incoming freshman. So a key ingredient to the season’s success will be the health of Gerhart. With an expected improved passing game to lighten the load, Gerhart could be set up to have an amazing season.
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