When the Cardinal take the football field this weekend against Washington, it is more than likely that the game will be played in less than optimal conditions. It has been raining all week in Seattle and the bad weather is predicted to continue through the weekend.

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Andrew Davis

Junior running back Anthony Kimble ran for 22 yards and caught 31 yards last weekend against USC. Kimble has been forced to step into a bigger role in the passing game in response to Stanford’s struggles on the ground.

Stanford defensive players are expecting the Huskies to adjust to the conditions by making heavy use of their run game. Junior running back Anthony Kimble is ready for the added responsibility should Stanford decide to do the same.

“Being from Louisiana, it rained a lot during football season, so I’m used to playing in wet weather,” Kimble said. “Every day I work on my craft, I work to get better. I’m still learning a lot. I’m not nearly reaching my potential at the position, but I feel like I’m getting a little closer every day.”

Kimble leads the Cardinal in rushing with 333 yards and a 3.8 yards-per-carry average, but has also seen his influence rise in the passing game, as senior quarterback T.C. Ostrander looked to him as a check-down receiver early in last Saturday’s game against USC. Kimble was the second leading receiver in the game for Stanford with 31 yards on three catches.

“[The running backs] are a big part of our passing offense,” Ostrander said. “Not every throw needs to be downfield for it to be successful, and a lot of times they’re good outlets for pressure or when people are covered downfield. I think that part of my development is being able to recognize when the backs are open and get them the ball quickly.”

It could play a big role in Kimble’s development as a playmaker for the Cardinal as well. Kimble had been nonexistent as a receiver in the previous two games, as Ostrander led the offense after playing a more significant role in previous weeks as an option for Trent Edwards. Kimble was encouraged by the progress his new quarterback made against the Trojans.

“I thought he did a nice job coming down on his reads, checking down to his running backs,” Kimble said. “And that’s something that he has to do more when receivers are covered downfield. That’s something I feel he’s improved a lot on.”

Overall though, one of the biggest challenges for this Stanford team has clearly been keeping its focus in the midst of an 11-game losing streak stretching back to last year. Moreover, the offense has particularly struggled in recent weeks. The last offensive touchdown by the Cardinal was a 57-yard halfback pass from Kimble to junior Kelton Lynn on Oct. 10 against Notre Dame.

Despite all that, Kimble said he wasn’t looking to next year because he couldn’t take his future for granted.

“I really don’t want our seniors to go out without a win,” Kimble said. “And I wouldn’t want our younger guys to be looking to the future and not playing to their full capabilities. Because you’re never promised a next play — I could go out first play at Washington and that could be the last play of my career.”

On a team that seems to be getting younger by the week, as starters fall to injuries, Kimble said he viewed it as his responsibility to help keep the team’s youthful players focused on each game from week to week, as taking things one week at a time has become Stanford’s mantra this year.

“Being an older guy, you’ve got to help out to keep the younger guys’ heads straight and keep their eyes on the prize,” Kimble said. “You’ve just got to go out there, take every opportunity you get, and try to get that first win.”

Keeping hope alive in a season like the Cardinal’s is no easy task. Kimble, however, said he still believed Stanford to be capable of winning if the squad can play up to its potential in the coming weeks.

“We’ve been struggling, but I feel we’re a lot better than what we’ve been showing on the field,” Kimble said. “So the biggest thing to me is just showing what we are and doing what we’re capable of doing. If we go out there and play to our top capabilities and Washington beats us, then they were just the better team on that day. But it’s always disappointing when you come off the field with regrets because the offense could have played a lot better.”