Chryst and Marx will spend more time alongside each other on Sunday steering the potent Cardinal offence against the Rice Owls.

Marx, a fourth-year fullback, will be tasked with protecting his star quarterback.

Both are returning from right knee injuries after having surgery four days apart earlier this year. Quarterback Chryst tore his ACL during his side's Sun Bowl win over North Carolina, while Marx injured his medial patellofemoral ligament midway through the season and played the last four games before having surgery. The ligament helps keep the kneecap in place.

"Anyone who's hurt their knee significantly knows that rehab can be a lonely process," Chryst said. "Fortunately enough for me I was able to have teammates alongside of me.

"Daniel Marx, who's our fullback, had a knee injury as well and I was able to rehab alongside of him. We had a bond with each other, we were able to motivate each other and push each other through the hard times.

"I'm happy where I'm at right now and just happy to play our first game."

Cardinal coach David Shaw confirmed on Tuesday that Chryst would start at quarterback against Rice, and shoulder the majority of the workload.

Marx is also set to be unleashed in the Stanford backfield, tasked with, among other duties, protecting his good mate Chryst.

"Any time you get the opportunity to keep the quarterback clean, it's great, especially in pass protection," Marx said.

"They've got a bunch of guys rushing. We have all those linesmen and the running back and the fullback trying to protect him. Any time we can let Keller have some time away from being hit, that's always good.

"You're basically protecting the other guy. Sometimes it's just one man between you and him and you're the guy protecting him. You really build a bond with that guy.

"It's great to have that responsibility. It is a big responsibility, but at the end of the day, when you get it accomplished you just build that relationship so much more."

Marx is a senior with Stanford this season, meaning it is his last year of eligibility for the college team. Should he wish to continue his American football career at the elite level, he'll need to nominate for the next NFL draft.

For the moment he is focused on opening the NCAA season with a win and making sure his knee is ready for another rigorous season of American football.

"We were battling through the off-season together, it was really great we were able to push each other and really grow," Marx said.

"I'm feeling great. Being at Stanford and just the doctors we have, the resources, the physiotherapists is awesome. I couldn't be more blessed to be there with their resources they have and the cutting edge technology they bring."