We all know why the Bulls did not get to a Bowl in 2009. How many of those nail biters (Ohio, Bowling Green, UCF) would the Bulls have won if James Starks was in the lineup? Today Starks saw his first action since the International Bowl and he looked to have not lost a beat.
Hitting the hole hard and always moving the defense back even as he got tackled Starks put to together an impressive first outing. No Lambeau Leap yet, but his crushing drive late in the game helped ice it for the Packers.
| Down/Distance/Yard | Play |
|---|---|
| 1st and 10 at GB 20 | J.Starks left tackle to GB 20 for no gain (R.Jean Francois). |
| 2nd and 10 at GB 20 | J.Starks right guard to GB 36 for 16 yards (T.Spikes). |
| 1st and 10 at GB 36 | J.Kuhn up the middle to GB 40 for 4 yards (T.Spikes). |
| 2nd and 6 at GB 40 | J.Starks left tackle to GB 41 for 1 yard (P.Willis). |
| 3rd and 5 at GB 41 | (Shotgun) A.Rodgers left guard to SF 48 for 11 yards (D.Goldson). |
| 1st and 10 at SF 48 | J.Starks right guard to SF 45 for 3 yards (P.Willis, T.Spikes). |
| 2nd and 7 at SF 45 | J.Starks up the middle to SF 38 for 7 yards (D.Goldson). |
| Timeout #1 by GB at 06:45. | |
| 1st and 10 at SF 38 | B.Jackson left tackle to SF 34 for 4 yards (A.Brooks, S.Spencer). |
| 2nd and 6 at SF 34 | J.Starks left tackle to SF 30 for 4 yards (A.Brooks). |
| 3rd and 2 at SF 30 | A.Rodgers pass short right to J.Jones to SF 23 for 7 yards (P.Willis). |
| 1st and 10 at SF 23 | J.Starks right end pushed ob at SF 22 for 1 yard (D.Goldson). |
| 2nd and 9 at SF 22 | J.Starks right tackle to SF 19 for 3 yards (T.Spikes). |
| 3rd and 6 at SF 19 | (Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass incomplete deep right to B.Swain. PENALTY on SF-R.McDonald, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced at SF 19 - No Play. |
| 3rd and 1 at SF 14 | J.Kuhn right tackle to SF 12 for 2 yards (D.Evans). |
| Timeout #1 by SF at 03:29. | |
| 1st and 10 at SF 12 | J.Starks up the middle to SF 12 for no gain (D.Evans). |
| Timeout #2 by SF at 03:26. | |
| 2nd and 10 at SF 12 | A.Rodgers pass short right to A.Quarless pushed ob at SF 8 for 4 yards (D.Goldson). |
| Timeout #2 by GB at 03:19. | |
| 3rd and 6 at SF 8 | (Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass short right to D.Driver to SF 6 for 2 yards (P.Adams). |
| Timeout #3 by SF at 03:19. | |
| 4th and 4 at SF 6 | M.Crosby 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-B.Goode, Holder-T.Masthay. |
| M.Crosby kicks 50 yards from GB 30 to SF 20. T.Ginn pushed ob at SF 26 for 6 yards (Q.Johnson). |
What did Coach McCarthy have to say about him?
James Starks is a really talented young man. The goal was to try to get him probably 8-10 carries. I wanted to see how he would handle it. I thought he improved as the game went on. I’m pleased with his individual performance. I’m sure throughout the film study there will be some things we can improve on, pad level, ball security. He did a nice job. To get him 18 carries in the game, just on a personal note, for his development, because it’s obvious he hasn’t played in a game in quite some time. I thought he performed very well and was very impressed particularly the way he fell forward for 1 or 2 yards on a number of his carries. He’s off to a good start.
The Packers have been hurting lately for a running game and are in the hunt for a playoff spot. Starks may have some frozen tundra games ahead of him this season.