[Hulk01]

Stanford leads in defending against third downs because our DBs watch a ton of film, and the veterans--Whitfield, Harris, and Lloyd--take turns telling Meeks, Holder, and Murphy what's coming. 

There are other parts to be sure--Martinez has very good instincts in pass coverage, and our pass rush, while it doesn't get sacks, collapses the pocket well and contains the Qb and forces him to throw into good coverage. 

It also helps a little that we haven't faced QBs who scramble well when their 3rd down throwing options and cut off. 

But it starts with a back four that often knows just what is coming, based on a lot of film review. 

[Hulk01]

Stanford leads in defending against third downs because our DBs watch a ton of film, and the veterans--Whitfield, Harris, and Lloyd--take turns telling Meeks, Holder, and Murphy what's coming. 

There are other parts to be sure--Martinez has very good instincts in pass coverage, and our pass rush, while it doesn't get sacks, collapses the pocket well and contains the Qb and forces him to throw into good coverage. 

It also helps a little that we haven't faced QBs who scramble well when their 3rd down throwing options and cut off. 

But it starts with a back four that often knows just what is coming, based on a lot of film review.