Stanford also has had to retool its line this se

Coach Paul Green believes North Queensland dealt well with the pressure of being NRL premiers.But they are the latest side to discover how hard it is to win back-to-back premierships after they were dumped out of the title race by Cronulla.The Cowboys made their way through to the grand final last year after losing in the first week of the playoffs.However, they couldnt repeat that feat this year after losing to Melbourne in week on and defeating Brisbane last week.No team has won successive titles in the NRL era. Brisbane were the last side to manage the feat in a united competition in 1992-93.We felt how hard that was at different times through the year, Green saidTeams rarely played poorly against us. That takes a fair bit out of you. Its not just the 17 or 19 players, you need a few more than that to play consistently well throughout the year.I thought we coped pretty well with that. We certainly gave ourselves a shot, making the preliminary final tonight. When youve been through it and youve achieved it you know what it takes. Weve got to wait 12 months for it too. Thats pretty tough.Green said the Cowboys will take motivation from their preliminary finals exit, 32-20 to the Sharks at Allianz Stadium on Friday into next year.This year was probably an opportunity lost, Green saidYouve got to work so hard to give yourself a chance that we had tonight. Thats probably the tough thing.The disappointment were feeling at the moment were going to need to hang on to that and keep the fire in the belly for next week.Cowboys prop James Tamou said staying hungry for another title against teams that hadnt won was a challenge.The fire burns a lot more with teams that havent been there yet or might have got kicked out last year, Tamou said.They come with a bit more energy and that Im guessing. We wanted to be in it, but execution has let us down.We knew from the start we would have a target on our heads and it was up to us to step it up. 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You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. STANFORD, Calif. -- Kansas State and Stanford both enter the season with inexperience at quarterback with Wildcats starter Jesse Ertz and Cardinal counterpart Ryan Burns combining for one career collegiate pass.Burns, though, has one big advantage that Ertz doesnt heading into No. 8 Stanfords opener at home against Kansas State on Friday night. He can just give the ball to Christian McCaffrey.I dont expect to put the whole ball of wax on his shoulders and have him win the game for us, Stanford coach David Shaw said. I expect him to play his role as I expect everybody else that steps on the field to do their job and let the other guys around them do theirs.Burns beat out Keller Chryst for Kevin Hogans old job despite having thrown just one pass in three seasons at Stanford. He must fill a big void as Hogan was the winningest quarterback in school history and led the Cardinal to three Rose Bowl trips in his four years as a starter.He has a dynamic offense around him led by McCaffrey, last years Heisman Trophy runner-up when he broke Barry Sanders record by gaining 3,496 all-purpose yards. Throw in fifth-year receiver Michael Rector, deep threat Francis Owusu and tight end Dalton Schultz and Burns will have plenty of help around him.We all feel extremely confident with him in at quarterback knowing that he knows all the plays, knows all the checks, McCaffrey said.Ertz earned the starting job for the second straight summer. He tore his ACL on the first play of the season last year and left for good one play after that.He has yet to throw a pass in college and lacks many proven options at the skill positions. Junior college transfer Byron Pringle will give a boost to a receiving group that has only one player (Deante Burton) with at least five career starts.Here are some other things to watch when Kansas State visits Stanford:WILD CAFF: McCaffrey did it all last year, rushing for 2,019 yards, adding a team-high 45 catches for 645 yards and being a dynamic returner. He even threw two TD passes..dddddddddddd McCaffrey is adding another role this season after short-yardage ace Remound Wright graduated after running for 24 TDs on 217 carries the past two seasons. McCaffrey will get a chance to pad his TD numbers by getting some of those carries close to the goal line.He can do anything on the field, so you just have to be aware and be up for the challenge, safety Dante Barnett said.NEW LINE PART I: Ertz will have an inexperienced line protecting him with RT Dalton Risner (13 starts) and RG Terrale Johnson (four starts) the only players with starting experience coming back. Redshirt freshman Scott Frantz and Tyler Mitchell man the left side and C Reid Najvar has played just four career games as a reserve.Its not necessarily the most desirable thing, but I like the way they have come along and progressed, coach Bill Snyder said.NEW LINE PART II: Stanford also has had to retool its line this season after losing three starters from a year ago. RG Johnny Caspers is the only starter back in the same spot as he was a year ago, with LT Casey Tucker moving over from the right side. RT A.T. Hall, C Jesse Burkett and LG David Bright fill the other three spots.PLAY WRECKER: The Wildcats had 38 sacks last season, including 9 1/2 from DE Jordan Willis, who has caught the eye of Shaw with his strong play on tape.Hes one of those guys that when you watch him, you earn respect, Shaw said. No matter what game you put on, he hits the quarterback.DEFENSIVE DEPTH: Stanford played most of last season with just three healthy defensive linemen. This year that will be a much deeper position with DT Harrison Phillips coming back from a knee injury and DE Dylan Jackson emerging as a starter along with returner Solomon Thomas. Shaw said he plans to rotate six players on the line with Eric Cotton, Jordan Watkins and Luke Kaumatule getting time that should keep the starters fresher. ' ' '