STANFORD, Calif. -- Stanford's spring game is often a one-sided affair: Entering this past weekend, in all but one season since Andrew Luck's graduation, the defense had firmly controlled the proceedings.
But Saturday's 2017 installment was different in that regard, as both sides of the ball took turns enjoying success. According to the game's complicated scoring scale, the Cardinal's offense beat the defense 37-30. It was an evenly-matched exhibition. Here are five takeaways:
1. Stanford can weather the loss of Christian McCaffrey: The Cardinal lose a transcendent player, but the spring game highlighted the blossoming backfield talent that this program packs to replace him. McCaffrey's heir apparent is speedster Bryce Love, who averaged over 7 yards per carry on 111 rushes last season.
But Stanford enjoyed eye-popping running back play during the spring game even though Love didn't participate. Trevor Speights -- the cousin of Los Angeles Clippers forward Marreese Speights, exploded on several runs, topping the century mark on the afternoon while scoring two touchdowns. Cameron Scarlett ripped off a 65-yard score, and Dorian Maddox -- who was hurt during the game -- busted one loose for 58 yards.
The explosiveness was head-turning -- especially from Speights.
"The athletic ability has been there," coach David Shaw said. "He's strong and he's physical. We wanted to see the decisiveness -- knowing where the blocking scheme is, where the cut is going to be, and the patience to know when to explode once the offensive line engages. And that's what we saw today."
It's clear that Stanford has a stable of running back talent to soften the blow of losing McCaffrey.
2. While the defensive line is a question mark, linebacker depth is excellent: As the front scrambles following the loss of Solomon Thomas, it's clear that Harrison Phillips -- "in the best shape of his life," according to Shaw -- will be the centerpiece of that unit. Phillips was disruptive again during the spring game. Now, Stanford needs other linemen to join him as heavy hitters on the stat sheet.
But even if fortification efforts along the line don't develop as smoothly as Stanford would like, defensive coordinator Lance Anderson can take solace in that fact that he has a stacked linebacker corps. Back in 2015, when attrition and injuries thinned the Cardinal's front, Anderson frequently resorted to two-linemen sets heavy with players from the back end.
If needed, it looks like he'll be able to resort to that strategy again in 2017 thanks to Stanford's depth and experience at outside linebacker. Peter Kalambayi, Mike Tyler, Casey Toohill, and Curtis Robinson all set rigid edges Saturday -- solid play that has allowed the Cardinal to shift star Joey Alfieri to the inside.
"We're two-deep on both sides at outside linebacker," Shaw said. "So we can make those moves."
Alfieri's trial run at inside linebacker has pleased the Stanford coaching staff. They now believe they have a Swiss Army knife-type player on the second level to complement an already formidable crew, and that's big news since the line is still a work in progress.
3. Jet Toner can kick: Conrad Ukropina left the Cardinal as the most prolific kicker in school history. He made all of his extra points and 22 of 27 field goal tries last season. For a Stanford team that's known to play so many close games, finding a solid replacement at kicker is imperative.
That's where Toner -- already a candidate for the Pac-12 all-name team -- can swoop in. His performance at the spring game announced his presence to the public: The redshirt freshman's prodigious leg talent was on display, as he booted kicks from 42, 40, and 47 yards out. The longest one had the distance to be good from 60.
4. The secondary is explosive and athletic: This was a known fact before Saturday, but the spring game put added emphasis on it. The Cardinal's older wave of defensive backs, highlighted by Quenton Meeks and Justin Reid, packs NFL talent. Reid's recovery speed to chase down Maddox on a long run underscored this.
But the unit's younger crop of players also sizzles athletically. Malik Antoine and Obi Eboh both impressed in space, showcasing the potential that Stanford has on the back end.
5. Ryan Burns isn't done yet: Quarterback Keller Chryst won't be ready until training camp at the soonest because of the knee injury he suffered during the Sun Bowl. Burns is making the most of his spring repetitions. While youngster K.J. Costello finished 5-for-13 on the afternoon, Burns sparked a scuffling offense. The senior finished 10-of-15 with a pretty 38-yard touchdown pass in the seam to Donald Stewart.
