Stanford football: 15 greatest quarterbacks in Cardinal history

Don Bunce was a local kid who chose Stanford for his college education and the ability to continue to play football. Unfortunately for him, he had to sit behind Jim Plunkett for most of his Stanford career, who would go on to win the Heisman Trophy and be the No. 1 overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.

While Bunce had to wait for his chance to play, he certainly took advantage of the opportunity once he was inserted into the lineup, carving out his place in Stanford history. Bunce started for the team as a fifth-year senior in 1971 and proceeded to lead the team to a Pac-8 Championship and a spot in the Rose Bowl.

After being left at the stadium after Plunkett led the team to a Rose Bowl victory the year before, Bunce made sure to make his mark on the game as the starter, winning Most Valuable Player honors. In that game, the then-Indians had to take on the undefeated Michigan Wolverines. Bunce led the team on a final game-winning drive that resulted in a 13-12 victory for Stanford.

In that game, Bunce went 24-44 for 290 yards without throwing an interception. He was crucial on the final drive, going five-of-six passing. He would cap off his career by being named the W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy winner and made his return to the program as the team doctor from 1982 through 1992.