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Stanford Football: Top 3 takeaways following upset win over No. 15 Washington

By Justin Fried

PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Simi Fehoko #13 and Kale Lucas #86 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after Fehoko caught a 42 yard touchdown pass against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Simi Fehoko #13 and Kale Lucas #86 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after Fehoko caught a 42 yard touchdown pass against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 05: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks on against the Washington Huskies during the third quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. Stanford won the game 23-13. Stanford Football (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

2. David Shaw silences his doubters

After Stanford’s worst start to a season in around a decade, many were left searching for answers. Rather, many were looking for people to blame.

While it would have been easy to blame both the team’s injuries and lack of talent following a spree of graduations, some thought that there was a bigger issue plaguing the program.

Some were quick to place the blame on head coach David Shaw.

Shaw has been a staple of the program ever since taking over for Jim Harbaugh back in 2011. Apart from the likes of Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney, you’d be hard-pressed to find a coach in college football more synonymous with their program.

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That said, some were questioning if it was time for a change after this slow start. Alas, Shaw seemingly silenced his doubters with a big-time victory over a Pac-12 powerhouse like Washington.

The Cardinal pulled off the gritty, resilient win in a game where they should have been outmatched. And that’s a testament to the coaching staff just as much as it is the players.

Stanford controlled the clock and executed their gameplan to perfection wearing down Washington and keeping the ball out of the hands of Jacob Eason and the Huskies offense.

Despite all the injuries, despite the mounting losses, and despite the outside negativity surrounding the program, Shaw has managed to get the most out of this team. And their never-say-die attitude is apparent and contagious to those around them.

David Shaw is one of the more beloved and respected coaches in the FBS and he showed on Saturday why that’s the case.

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