Entering the 2011 season, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck was tied for fourth place on the Cardinal touchdown passes record with Guy Benjamin. Both had 45, but Luck has quickly outdistanced Benjamin to reach 56 careers touchdowns through the first four games of the season. He passed former Cardinal great Jim Plunkett who was third with 52 touchdown passes.
The only two players ahead of him are Steve Stenstrom (72) and John Elway (77). Luck will have a chance to keep chasing the two when he faces the Colorado Buffaloes this Saturday. The Buffs allowed Washington St. Cougars quarterback Marshall Lobbestael to throw for 376 yards and three touchdowns last Saturday, which might not bode well for the Colorado secondary.
It's not out of the question for Luck to tie or break Elway's record. He needs just 21 touchdown passes to tie Elway, which means he would need to equal his 2010 total of 32 (which broke Elway's and Stenstrom's record of 27). This game against the Buffs could help him on his way there.
For more on this game, visit our Colorado blog The Ralphie Report and our Stanford blog Rule of Tree.