Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan has deep family ties with Notre Dame

STANFORD — With a slight smile and shake of the head, Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan dismissed any suggestion of a daunting emotional double-whammy awaiting him Saturday afternoon.

Were it merely the final home game of his accomplished career, the situation would seemingly be rife for disruptive energy. But it's so much more for the fifth-year senior.

Hogan's connection to Notre Dame runs to his core. Dozens of family members attended the school; two uncles played for the Irish; he grew up bleeding gold and blue. It's also his late father's alma mater.

'That stuff has nothing to do it with,' Hogan said earlier this week. 'I'm going to treat it like any other game.'

He sounded convincing. But his closest friend on the team, center Graham Shuler, isn't so sure.

Jerry Hogan died in December after a multi-year fight with cancer. His presence has been with Hogan every day for the past 50 weeks — after touchdowns, he points to the sky — and, by all accounts, served as a calming influence.

'I imagine it will be emotional for him,' Shuler said. 'I've walked a few days in his shoes. He carries his dad with him.'

Shuler has done more than walk a few days with Hogan. They have spent the season together, on the field and off, at home and on the road. They dine with each other's families and watch 'Gotham' in their hotel room on Friday nights.

'I watch the show and want to compare the honorable people to Kevin,' Shuler said. 'He definitely gives more than he takes.'

On more than one occasion this season, tailback Christian McCaffrey has referred to Hogan's quiet leadership and knack for bailing the Cardinal out of dire situations — the USC and Washington State games being just two examples.

In McCaffrey view, Hogan is the Cardinal's Dark Knight.

'It's going to be a bittersweet moment,' McCaffrey said of the home finale. '(Hogan is) someone you want on your side forever. The legacy he's left here is right up there with all the greats.'

Hogan has started every game since late in his freshman season, won two league titles, one Rose Bowl and a school-record 33 games — the most be any active quarterback in the country.

He is 13-6 against ranked opponents, with a chance to increase the total against the Irish.

'I feel blessed to have played with him and (have) him be our leader and captain,' McCaffrey said.

Hogan won't walk alone today. As many as 20 players will have their names called as part of the senior day ceremony, including left guard Joshua Garnett, left tackle Kyle Murphy and star linebacker Blake Martinez.

The exact number of honorees is difficult to project because coach David Shaw permits juniors who are contemplating a jump to the NFL to be introduced along with the seniors.

Emotions will be roiling.

'Going through it myself,' said Shaw, a former Stanford receiver, 'your mind starts saying, 'Gosh this is the last time in uniform in the stadium.' But once kickoff happens, it goes too fast and it's too important and there's too much going on to worry about that.

'The pregame part is significant, so we talk about it and have guys prepared for feeling those emotions and then get down to playing football.'