Backup Quarterback Faces Tough Decision

Backup quarterback Joe Borchard planned to bring 10 Stanford teammates home with him to Camarillo on Saturday for Christmas dinner.

The question was how much food would the Borchard family need to feed everyone?

“He eats more than a linebacker,” Borchard’s father, Joe, said of his son. “He only had three prime ribs at the Beef Bowl.”

Borchard is facing constant questions about his future. He has two years left in football eligibility and would probably start at quarterback next season. But he is a projected first-round choice in the June baseball draft after leading Stanford last season with a .372 batting average.

“D Day is coming,” Borchard said. “There’s still a lot of decisions to be made. It’s premature to rule anything in or out. It’s a long baseball season and leaves a long time to think. I’ve been able to sit back and tell everybody there’s a long way to go, but I may have to make a decision soon.”

Whatever happens, Borchard’s father is certain about one thing.

“He’s told me to get the 1/8home 3/8 batting cage ready,” the elder Borchard said. “He’ll be hitting Jan. 2.”

Borchard’s sister, Julie, was an All-American softball player at Wisconsin and just graduated. But her allegiance in the Rose Bowl will be with her brother.

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Stanford players had Saturday off from practice. After five days of workouts, Coach Tyrone Willingham said, “So far, I’ve been pleased with the effort of our guys even though we’re not into game week yet.”

Willingham has used practice time to give young players an opportunity to gain experience while also focusing on Wisconsin. But when will the bed checks start?

“We’ll orchestrate that as I see fit,” he said.

Stanford’s practice today from 10 a.m. to noon at USC is open to the public.