Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
ARIZONA: The Wildcats were idle this week following their third straight loss,
a 54-48 heartbreaker in overtime to Stanford. Rich Rodriguez's squad will now
set its sights on Washington which travels to Tucson next weekend.
ARIZONA STATE: Behind a 593-yard barrage by its offense, Arizona State
collected a 51-17 win on the road over Colorado. The offensive production was
the most by the Sun Devils in a conference game since 1996. The win pushes the
Sun Devils to 3-0 in Pac-12 play and 5-1 overall. Marion Grice normally makes
the bulk of his contributions in the run game, but he caught five passes for
101 yards and three scores in the win. He has nine touchdowns on 50 total
touches this season. Cameron Marshall rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown. He
is now tied for second in Arizona State history in rushing touchdowns. Taylor
Kelly threw for 308 yards and five touchdowns on 20-of-28 passing. The five
touchdown passes were a career-high. Arizona State also got contributions from
special teams, as Rashad Ross took the opening kickoff of the second half 100
yards for a touchdown. Arizona State held a team scoreless in the fourth
quarter for the fifth straight game in the win. The Sun Devils have outscored
their opponents 64-7 in the final period this season. Arizona State's
conference-leading defense allowed just 255 total yards to the Buffaloes.
Arizona State gets a chance to prove itself as a contender for the conference
title when the Sun Devils host No. 2 Oregon on Thursday night.
CALIFORNIA: Jeff Tedford captured his 50th career victory as the head coach at
California as the Golden Bears downed Washington State, 31-17, last time out.
It was the eighth straight victory against the Cougars by California. The
Golden Bears are now 64-5 when scoring at least 30 points under Tedford.
Keenan Allen caught 11 of a total 14 completions by quarterback Zach Maynard,
while piling up 166 yards. He also had a career-long 69-yard touchdown. The 11
receptions move Allen into second place all-time at California. Allen has a
reception in all 31 games he has played for California, which is the longest
active streak in the Pac-12. C.J. Anderson rushed for 112 yards on only 15
carries and scored his team-leading third and fourth touchdowns. Anderson has
now had back-to-back 100-yard efforts. Maynard threw for 189 yards and a
touchdown, while rushing for 78 yards but was intercepted twice. Isi Sofele
(63 yards) and Brendan Bigelow (59) each helped the Golden Bears accumulate
318 yards on the ground. California is averaging 220 yards rushing per game
over the last three contests. The Golden Bears held the Cougars to only 36
yard rushing. Steve Williams led the way with a team-high 5.5 tackles and four
pass breakups along with an interception. Next weekend will be 115th
installment of the Big Game as California takes on rival Stanford at Memorial
Stadium.
COLORADO: The Buffaloes lost in a blowout for the second straight week,
dropping a 53-17 decision to Arizona State. The Buffaloes were done in by a
31-0 spurt in the second half by the Sun Devils. Colorado scored all 17 of its
points in the second quarter which was the second most points in a quarter by
the Buffaloes this season. Jordan Webb struggled to consistently complete
passes, finishing 20-of-41 for 180 yards and a touchdown. The Buffaloes were
held to a season-low 75 yards rushing and a 2.3 yards-per-carry average. Josh
Ford was the lead rusher (38 yards,) while Tony Jones was right behind (37).
Nick Kasa had a team-high four receptions for 71 yards, while catching his
team-leading third touchdown pass. Colorado lost despite a plus-one advantage
in turnovers. The Buffaloes were out-gained by a 593-255 yard margin. There
were few bright spots on defense for Colorado who was led in tackles by
Derrick Webb (nine). Chidera Uzo-Diribe recorded his sixth sack of the season
in the game. It won't get any easier for Colorado next weekend when the
Buffaloes take on USC in Los Angeles.
OREGON: The Ducks were rewarded for their 52-21 victory over Washington with a
bye this weekend. Despite being idle Oregon remains the No. 2 team in the
country in the top-25. Oregon has a stern test this week with a Thursday night
showdown with Arizona State in Tempe.
OREGON STATE: A 21-point outburst in the fourth quarter helped Oregon State
pull out a 42-24 win on the road over BYU. The Beavers are now 5-0 this
season, the first time an Oregon State squad has begun a season in such a
manner since 1939. The win also pushed Oregon State to No. 8 in the top-25. In
his first career start, Cody Vaz played well, completing 20-of-32 pass
attempts for 332 yards and three scores. Vaz was filling in for injured
starter Sean Mannion who will have knee surgery and be out for an undetermined
amount of time. Brandin Cook had team-highs in receptions (eight) and yards
(173), while Markus Wheaton had two touchdowns to go with 66 yards receiving.
Wheaton now has a career-high six touchdown receptions this season. Storm
Woods had 57 yards rushing and a touchdown to lead all Beaver ball carriers.
Oregon State overcame a 2-for-11 effort on third down in the win. Oregon State
held BYU to just 81 yards rushing and a 2.5 yards-per-carry average. Jordan
Poyer followed up his three-interception performance that earned him Walter
Camp Defensive Player of the Week honors last weekend, with an interception
against the Cougars. It was one of three collected by the Beavers defense.
Scott Crichton recorded a pair of sacks and Ryan Murphy (11) and Michael
Doctor (10) each had double digit tackles. Up next for the Beavers is a Pac-12
bout at home with Utah.
STANFORD: A controversial call in overtime saddled Stanford with a 20-13 loss
in overtime to No. 5 Notre Dame in South Bend. On fourth and goal from the
one-yard line Stepfan Taylor was stopped but appeared to get across the goal
line on a second effort but the play was ruled no touchdown. After officials
conferred the call on the field was upheld. Taylor had 102 yards on 28 carries
in the game. Stanford is now 9-18 all-time against Notre Dame, 11 of those
games being decided by 10 points or less. Stanford's defense is what kept it
in the game, holding the Irish to 334 yards of total offense, while forcing
and recovering three fumbles. One of those fumbles was recovered in the end
zone by Chase Thomas to account for the Cardinal's only touchdown of the game.
Trent Murphy led the team with 10 tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Josh Nunes
completed only 12-of-25 pass attempts for 125 yards and was picked off twice.
The Cardinal finished with only 272 yards of total offense, while converting
only 1-of-4 red zone trips into scores. The loss dropped Stanford to No. 22 in
the top-25. Up next for the Cardinal is a trip to Memorial Stadium for the
115th Big Game against rival California.
UCLA: The Bruins rebounded from a tough loss a week ago to secure a 21-14 win
at home over Utah. UCLA is now 5-2 through seven games, which is its best
start since 2007. The Bruins have split their four Pac-12 games. The Bruins
held a 14-7 lead at halftime and are now 4-0 this season when leading going
into the break. UCLA improved in its third down efficiency, converting 9-of-15
(60 percent) of its attempts. The Bruins had converted only 35.1 percent
entering play. Brett Hundley threw for 183 yards and a touchdown and also ran
for 68 yards and another score. He completed 15-of-21 pass attempts and did
not throw an interception after throwing four in the previous contest. Hundley
now has 14 touchdown passes this season, the most by a UCLA quarterback since
2005. Johnathan Franklin led the team with 79 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Shaquelle Evans caught four passes for 91 yards, including a 64-yard
touchdown. It was the second-longest pass play of the season for the Bruins.
UCLA had 354 yards of total offense and converted both of its red zone trips
into touchdowns. Tevin McDonald led all defenders with 10 tackles which was a
season-high. The Bruins held Utah to 75 yards rushing on 27 carries, while
surrendering 319 yards of overall offense. UCLA will be off next week giving
it an extra week to prepare for a road trip to Tempe, Arizona to battle
Arizona State.
USC: It was the ground game that led the way for USC in its 24-14 win on the
road over Washington. The win moves USC to 3-1 in Pac-12 play this season and
5-1 overall. It also helped the Trojans jump to No. 11 in the top-25. Penn
State-transfer Silas Redd rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown to power the
Trojans' ground attack, which racked up 204 yards. The Trojans needed Redd to
come up big with Matt Barkley struggling. Barkley completed 10-of-20 pass
attempts for 167 yards and a touchdown but was also intercepted once. Robert
Woods caught five of those passes for 88 yards and the normally explosive
Marqise Lee was limited to just two receptions for 32 yards. USC managed only
371 yards of total offense and was guilty of 10 penalties. The Trojans were
also a dismal 2-for-12 on third down attempt. Defensively the Trojans were
solid, holding Washington to 299 yards of total offense and a 3-for-12 rate on
third down. T.J. McDonald was one of three players that tied for the team lead
with seven tackles. Hayes Pullard and Dion Bailey were the others. USC returns
home next weekend when it hosts Colorado.
UTAH: The Utes fell short in a 21-14 decisions to UCLA in Travis Wilson's
first career start at quarterback. Wilson threw for 220 yards and an
interception on 23-of-33 passing, as the fourth true freshman in school
history to start a game. Wilson also caught a 23-yard pass from DeVonte
Christopher on a reverse play in the fourth quarter. The Utes loss puts them
at 0-3 in Pac-12 play and just 2-4 overall. Utah was held to only 75 yards
rushing led by John White, who had 44 yards on 11 carries. Dres Anderson
caught a game-high nine passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Lacy
recovered a fumble in the end zone in the first quarter for the third
touchdown by fumble recovery for Utah this season. Punter Sean Sellwood had
two punts travel more than 50 yards with two being downed inside the 20-yard
line. His 48 punts of 50 or more yards is tied for second in school history
behind Marv Bateman. Utah scored a touchdown on its only red zone trip of the
game when Jon Hays connected with Anderson from a yard out. The Utes had just
319 yards of total offense, compared to 354 by UCLA. Brian Blechen had a team-
high eight tackles. Utah's next opportunity to grab its first conference
victory will be next weekend on the road against the surprising No. 8 Oregon
State Beavers.
WASHINGTON: The Huskies hung tough, but in the end it wasn't enough as
Washington fell 24-14 to USC at home. It was the third straight game
Washington had played against a top-15 opponent, the seventh time since 1969
that has happened. The Huskies are 7-14 overall during those stretches.
Washington is just 28-50-4 all-time against USC. Washington finished with only
299 yards of total offense. Keith Price completed 20-of-28 pass attempts for
198 yards and two scores but was also intercepted twice. The two touchdown
passes give him 42 for his career which is fourth on Washington's al-time
list. Bishop Sankey had a three-game streak of 100-yard rushing efforts put to
an end in the loss (54 yards). Austin Seferian-Jenkins had a team-high five
receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. His 70 career receptions are fourth
on Washington's all-time list for tight ends. Washington held USC's normally
potent aerial assault to 167 yards but was gashed for 204 yards on the ground.
Justin Glenn and Marcus Peters each had a game-high nine tackles, while Peters
snagged his second interception of the season. Washington will be on the road
against Arizona in its next matchup.
WASHINGTON STATE: Things are not looking up in Pullman as Washington State
dropped to 0-4 in Pac-12 play after a 31-17 loss to California. The Cougars
are just 2-5 overall this season with a 35-27 win over UNLV the only win
against an FBS program. Connor Halliday was benched after throwing an
interception on two of the Cougars' first three possessions. Jeff Tuel, who
began the season as the starter, took over and completed 30-of-53 pass
attempts for 320 yards and two touchdowns. Tuel is now seventh all-time in
passing yards at Washington State (4,753 yards). Tuel's 30 completions matched
a career-high. Both of Tuel's touchdown passes went to Brett Bartolone, who
finished with seven receptions for 44 yards. Isiah Myers had team-highs in
receptions (eight) and yards (108). Washington State had 420 yards of total
offense but had just 36 yards rushing, compared to 318 by California.
Washington State collected a pair of interceptions in the game. It is the
fourth time that has occurred this season. Deone Bucannon had a team-high 13
tackles, while Casey Locker (10) also had double digit stops. The Cougars will
be idle next weekend before a road trip to take on Stanford.
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