Nov 12, 2011; Stanford CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Josh Nunes (6) warms up before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Stanford Stadium. Oregon defeated Stanford 53-30. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE
The Stanford Cardinal have been forced to deal with the tough task of replacing last year’s starting quarterback Andrew Luck, who left for the NFL Draft where he become the first-overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. While it is a tough task, Stanford head coach David Shaw has announced that junior Josh Nunes will become Luck’s successor.
“All the empirical evidence we collected (showed) Josh was the most consistent,” Shaw said.
“It’s time. It became clear, and I’m not one for waiting. The main thing is efficiency. The job of the quarterback is to get us into the right play at the right time”
Nunes beat out Brett Nottingham who was initially believed to be the favorite to win the Cardinal’s starting gig. While Nottingham has the stronger arm, it was Nunes’ familiarity of the playbook that gave him the edge in the competition. The 6-foot-4 signal-caller will take over the job with very little starting experience. His last game action came in 2010 against Wake Forest.
Nunes knows he has big shoes to fill but he will not be trying to become the next Andrew Luck.
Being behind Andrew is the biggest blessing you could ask for,” said Nunes. “It’s the biggest shoes to follow. But the great thing is that the path has been laid here for how to be a successful quarterback at Stanford.
“But I am not Andrew Luck, and by no means am I going to try to be him.”
It will be a tough task for Nunes but he seems poised to step in and take over the Cardinal offense with the right attitude. Luckily for the junior signal-caller, he will be able to rely heavily on star running back Stepfan Taylor.
