[Quack Attack]

Harbaugh: Stanford scrimmage 'tired, lethargic'



Tom FitzGerald, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, August 20, 2009

(08-19) 23:11 PDT -- Coach Jim Harbaugh didn't like much of what he saw at Stanford's scrimmage Wednesday at the stadium, calling it "tired, lethargic." He said the Cardinal "played like a tired team. ... They're not as confident as they should be. I'm glad we're not playing this Saturday."

The 36-play scrimmage, using a team of officials, was tucked into a workout that also included a range of down-and-distance situations. Freshman quarterback Andrew Luck, the new starter, completed 6 of 10 passes for 80 yards. He hit Chris Owusu for a 13-yard touchdown between two defenders.

Tavita Pritchard was 6-for-11 for 25 yards. Two of his passes, both tipped by receivers, were intercepted by Kris Evans and Jarek Lancaster.

Other offensive players had their moments. Although Toby Gerhart saw minimal action and didn't carry the ball, Jeremy Stewart had seven carries for 49 yards and caught a pass for 12 yards. In general, the backs weren't aggressive enough to suit Harbaugh.

Both candidates for the placekicking job vacated by reliable Aaron Zagory struggled, although Nate Whitaker did better than Travis Golia, especially in a series of alternating field-goal attempts from various distances an angles. Whitaker missed only one kick during that exercise, Golia four.

The starting offensive line consisted of Chase Beeler at center, Chris Marinelli and David DeCastro at guard and Jonathan Martin and Matt Kopa at tackle. DeCastro and Martin are redshirt freshmen.