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It’s military week for Stanford, with the football team traveling to take on Army tomorrow at West Point’s Michie Stadium.
“We’re playing against young men that are willing to do some of the things that we’re not willing to do down the road,” Shaw said. “Our freedom is in their hands. We love them, we appreciate them.”
The fifth-ranked Cardinal (1-0) has plenty of connections to the military, beginning with Shaw’s father, Willie Shaw, who enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, serving in the mid 1960s, just as things were getting nasty.
“I have the utmost respect for our servicemen,” Cardinal running back Tyler Gaffney said. “I’ve heard so much about West Point. They are all about details.”
Stanford wide receiver Devon Cajuste has a sister who served in the Army.
Stanford traveled to New York Thursday, allowing an extra day to adjust to the time change. The kickoff is scheduled for 9 a.m. tomorrow, Pacific time.
Shaw organized a bus tour to see the West Point campus today for his players to learn about Army’s history before playing near the banks of the Hudson River at Michie Stadium tomorrow.
“I’m going to be a tourist for a little bit,” Shaw said of the hallowed ground on which officers of every rank have walked, including George Armstrong Custer, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. “I’m going to take pictures.”
As for the game, Stanford’s rush defense will be put to the test. Army led the nation in rushing last year, utilizing a triple-option offense.
“I respect what they do. I really do,” Shaw said. “They’re determined to do what they do and do it as well as they can do it. And they challenge you to stop it.”
Stanford senior fullback Ryan Hewitt will make the trip to Army but probably will not be available for the game. He sustained a lower leg bruise in Stanford’s 34-13 victory over San Jose State last Saturday.
While sophomore quarterback Dallas Lloyd will continue to be used in wildcat situations, Shaw said Evan Crower will remain the primary backup for Kevin Hogan.
Palo Alto Online Sports
Palo Alto Online Sports
