MIAMI – As the Stanford Cardinal accepted their Orange Bowl trophy, fans chanted “One more year!” They’re hoping to keep the coach and quarterback who helped the school to its first bowl win in 14 years.
Andrew Luck threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns Monday night to lead fifth-ranked Stanford past No. 12 Virginia Tech, 40-12. The blowout was the latest success for a school that went 1-11 just four years ago before hiring Jim Harbaugh as coach.
Afterward, Luck and Harbaugh deflected questions about whether the game might have been their last at Stanford. Harbaugh is expected to be courted by NFL teams and perhaps alma mater Michigan, and Luck is projected as the likely first pick in the draft if he turns pro this year.
“There are a lot of worse decisions you might have to make in life,” Luck said. “I don’t want to make an impulsive decision. I’ll enjoy this as long as I can. I know the deadline is coming up. I’ll sit down with my parents, weigh the pros and cons and go from there.”
The sophomore turned in a performance reminiscent of two sideline spectators, former Stanford quarterbacks John Elway and Jim Plunkett. Elway, who is expected to become the Denver Broncos’ chief football executive this week, served as honorary captain.