Stanford’s retooled defense gets 1st test in spring game

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Making Stanford’s annual Cardinal and White spring football game appetizing for fans hasn’t been easy.

It used to be that assistant coaches in charge of each side would draft players. But that process broke up the first-team players and worked against cohesiveness within, for example, the offensive line and the various passing combinations. In the 2010 edition at Kezar Stadium, the mix-and-match offensive units went through the whole game without scoring.

Jim Harbaugh, then the head coach, ordered a field-goal kicking contest to determine the winner.

Starting in 2012 under David Shaw, the game was switched to offense-against-defense with the defense given points for various shows of stoutness.

Here’s how it will work for this year’s game at 1 p.m. Saturday in Stanford Stadium (admission and parking are free): The offense starts each series from its 35-yard line. The defense earns various points for turnovers and three-and-outs, then diminishing points for stops the rest of the way.

Because the offense returns almost intact while the defense lost many key players, quarterback Kevin Hogan and receivers Devin Cajuste and Michael Rector — along with a terrific four-man stable of tight ends — should have the upper hand.

Here are a few things to look for:

•Duel at backup quarterback: Most observers expect former Palo Alto High standout Keller Chryst to assume the No.2 role, but he’s still locked in a competition with Ryan Burns. Shaw says he won’t name the top backup until training camp.

•Christian McCaffrey’s role: It’s expected to increase dramatically this season after his scintillating performance as a freshman. He’ll work mainly out of the backfield in a stable that also includes Remound Wright and Barry Sanders, but he’s also expected to line up at wide receiver.

•New blind-side protector: Kyle Murphy replaces Andrus Peat at left offensive tackle. Otherwise the line remains intact, although right tackle Nick Davidson is out with an injury.

•Thin defensive line: There’s a noticeable lack of bulk and depth here, exacerbated by Aziz Shittu’s absence because of an injury. For the time being, Harrison Phillips, Jordan Watkins and Solomon Thomas will have to hold down the fort, with the aid of various linebackers moonlighting as linemen.

•Questions at the corner: Ronnie Harris is out, so the cornerback brigade — namely Terrence Alexander, Alameen Murphy, Taijuan Thomas, Alijah Holder and Ra’Chard Pippens — will be under the gun against Hogan, Cajuste and company.

•New safeties: Zach Hoffpauir missed spring ball because of baseball, leaving the safety positions in the hands of converted quarterback Dallas Lloyd and converted receiver Kodi Whitfield. Can they make open-field tackles like the departed Jordan Richards? The spring game may offer a clue.

Up close: After the game, the players will be available for autographs in the west concourse.

Tom FitzGerald is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: tfitzgerald@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @tomgfitzgerald

Spring game

Where: Stanford Stadium

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Admission: Free

TV/Radio: P12BA/1050