Stanford QB Hogan may be 'game-time decision' vs. Oregon State

STANFORD, Calif. -- Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan suffered a left ankle injury early in the second half of Saturday's 41-31 upset of Southern California and will sit out most of this week's practices, Cardinal coach David Shaw said Tuesday.

Shaw said Hogan will test his ankle on Thursday. No. 21 Stanford plays at Oregon State on Friday night.

"We are fortunate it was not season-ending," Shaw said. "If he can do a little bit on Thursday, it might be a game-time decision."

Hogan was injured on the third play of the second half when he was sacked by Trojans linebacker Anthony Sarao, who landed on Hogan's ankle.

"Structurally, he was not going to make it worse," Shaw said. "He was limping to and from the huddle but he scrambled when he needed. He gritted it out and did it."

Hogan completed 18 of 23 passes for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Southern California, which fell to No. 19 in this week's AP rankings after the loss.

Backups Ryan Burns and Keller Chryst, the son of San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Geep Chryst, have minimal game experience. Burns appeared in two games last year and completed his only pass attempt. Chryst played against Central Florida, completing a pass for 20 yards.

"I have no idea if Kevin will play or not but I feel confident with the No. 2 and No. 3 string guys," Cardinal sophomore running back Christian McCaffrey said. "You always prepare like you're a starter."

Shaw said he has contingency plans in place if Hogan, a four-year starter, is unable to go against the Beavers.

"If he plays, I hope he takes every snap," Shaw said. "We have emergency, emergency plans if we need them."

Hogan led Stanford to a pair of Rose Bowl appearances and to last year's Foster Farms Bowl.

"It's hard to put into words what he means; it's so much," McCaffrey said. "I think of him as a silent guardian. He's not very vocal but he is the best leader on our team."

NOTES: Shaw said the team had to back off from contact the first couple of practices to give players a break. "That was a hard-fought game," he said. "It was a very physical football game. ... Stanford sophomore linebacker Joey Alfieri's parents attended Oregon State. Father Phil was a four-year lettermen as a defensive end for the Beavers (1983-88) and mother Kelly (1984-88) still owns the fifth-fastest 400 hurdles time in school history. ... The Cardinal have a five-game winning streak against Oregon State.