Stanford sticking with running back committee (w/video)

Stanford coach David Shaw reiterated this week what he has said since August, that he sees no reason to anoint a No. 1 tailback given the complementary skill sets and comparable production from the five players in the rotation.

From 3,000 miles away, Tyler Gaffney sees the same thing.

The former Cardinal tailback, who’s on injured reserve with the New England Patriots, admits that “no running back wants to hear a coach say the words ‘by committee.’” But Gaffney believes the current rotation makes the best use of the talent and gives Stanford the best chance to win.

“If someone stands out, then he’ll handle the load,” said Gaffney, who lives near the Patriots’ base in Foxboro, Mass., and has watched all of Stanford’s games thus far.

His perspective is particularly poignant this week. Exactly one year ago, Gaffney emerged from a by-committee situation to produce one of the best seasons in school history (1,709 yards, 21 touchdowns) and lead the Cardinal to its second consecutive Pac-12 title.

Gaffney, who had missed the previous season while pursuing a professional baseball career, competed with Anthony Wilkerson and others through the first month. But an impressive performance in the loss at Utah spurred a change.

The following day - it was Oct. 19, to be exact - Gaffney was called upon 36 times against UCLA.

Gaffney responded with 171 yards in a performance that not only altered the outlook for Stanford’s season but the shape of the Pac-12 race.

A series of 150-yard performances followed as Gaffney blasted his way through the league.

“Every game, the game seemed to slow down, become a little easier,” he said.

There is no reason to expect history to repeat Today at Arizona State or at any point in the stretch run.

Remound Wright ran well last week against Washington State, as did Barry Sanders. Kelsey Young has been effective in spurts, and freshman Christian McCaffrey has shown flashes of elite playmaking talent. But nobody has gained clear separation from the pack - the group also includes senior Rickey Seale - and Shaw is not inclined to hand over the workload on faith alone.

“I’d never want to do that arbitrarily and say, ‘We’re giving you the ball 20 times this game and see how that goes,’?” he said. “Nobody has blown anybody away.”