Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
With John Elway in attendance, Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan, who wears the same No. 7 Elway made famous, put on a show at Army, extending his unbeaten streak for the Cardinal to 8-0 as the team’s starter. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior from Virginia may be biggest secret in the sport, but if you asked head coach David Shaw, I bet he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The first half vs. Army didn’t look pretty as Stanford looked to be sleepwalking the first two quarters, but once Hogan’s body clock adjusted to the early start time, he and his teammates settled in nicely. It wasn’t a game without mistakes for Hogan who had two turnovers, but his production early in his career mirrors another former Cardinal great.
Hogan added three more touchdowns today and although his stats won’t look as good as Elway’s or his predecessor Andrew Luck in his final two seasons in Palo Alto, they do compare favorably to Luck’s first year as a starter.
Entering the Army game, Hogan had thrown for 1,294 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in his first seven starts. He also added 247 yards on 48 carries and two more touchdowns. In Luck’s first seven starts he threw for 1,589 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. On the ground Luck added 190 yards on 36 carries and one touchdown.
Luck’s starts came as a redshirt freshman and Hogan’s as a sophomore, so they both were second-year players, but Hogan’s production fares well to the former No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft two years ago. The big chip Hogan has over Luck is a Rose Bowl victory and Stanford could get there again this year with the understated Hogan.
The quarterback talent is as loaded as it has ever been with plenty of dual-threats and potential high picks in the draft, but not much is said about Hogan who still has yet to lose a game he’s started.
When other quarterbacks like reigning Heisman winner and TMZ poster boy Johnny Manziel garner headlines for their actions on and off the field, but it’s Hogan who goes about his business without a peep from him off the field.
Stanford didn’t need Luck to get to a Rose Bowl in large part because they have Hogan, and for the Cardinal, that may be all the luck they need to get to a potential BCS Championship Game.
Patrick’s a college football writer for Rant Sports and radio host on Sportstownchicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickASchmidt and add him to your Google network.
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