STANFORD, Calif. (AP) - At the beginning of August, the story of how Josh Nunes ascended to Stanford's starting quarterback job seemed to be something out of a Hollywood movie: His father spontaneously bought him a Cardinal cap at 8 years old, he fell in love with the team and developed into a sought-after recruit who spurned schools across the country for a chance to live out his dream.

This season's script took another twist.

In the midst of eighth-ranked Stanford's surprising run to Friday night's Pac-12 title game against No. 17 UCLA, Nunes' new role might appear to be an awkward and unenviable one: helping redshirt freshman Kevin Hogan succeed as his replacement. Instead, Nunes has never pouted or complained. He has quietly played as big a part as anybody in Hogan's transition.