Stanford quarterback for Big Game up in the air because of Pritchard's injury

11/26/2007 3:47 PM

By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh could make a quarterback change for this week's rivalry game against California after starter Tavita Pritchard was dinged up last week against Notre Dame.

Pritchard was replaced by T.C. Ostrander after being hit hard in the helmet by Notre Dame's Terrail Lambert in the third quarter of last Saturday's game. Pritchard returned briefly against the Irish after the hit, but Ostrander finished the 21-14 loss to the Fighting Irish.

Harbaugh said Monday that he would wait until watching both players practice before determining who would start for Stanford (3-8, 2-6 Pac-10) at quarterback Saturday against the Golden Bears (6-5, 3-5).

``We'll make that decision as the week progresses and we decide who gives us the best chance to win this game,'' Harbaugh said.

Pritchard complained of a headache after the game but Harbaugh said he had been cleared by the doctors to return to action after Ostrander left briefly following a hard hit to the elbow. Pritchard initially had his helmet taken away from him after his hit.

``He was asked a series of questions. The NFL and college football have an evaluation process that takes place after a hit and he passed that test,'' Harbaugh said. ``The doctors made the decision about two plays before T.C. took the helmet on the elbow that he would be available. Before we put him back in there, it was confirmed that he was available to go back in.''

Ostrander began the season as the No. 1 quarterback, starting the first four games before being sidelined after having a seizure. Pritchard came in and led the 24-23 upset over then-No. 2 Southern California and has started every game since.

The Cardinal have lost the last four games, scoring 46 points in the process, but Harbaugh praised Pritchard's performance during that stretch. Pritchard has completed 49.7 percent of his passes, with four touchdowns and nine interceptions.

``It's been good enough to win. It really has,'' he said. ``We've struggled offensively and that starts with me and goes through our offensive unit. We're struggling to move the ball to score points and that hasn't been Tavita's fault. We all take accountability and responsibility but it starts with me.''

Ostrander has completed 55.3 percent of his passes, with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Harbaugh stuck with him at the end of the game against Notre Dame and Ostrander almost led the drive for the tying score, but Evan Moore dropped a pass in the end zone in the final minute.

``I really liked the way T.C. was running the team, the way he was throwing, the way he was operating,'' Harbaugh said. ``I thought he had the hot hand. He made some good decisions and good throws.''