It's time for the column you love on Tuesdays, Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard. We still miss you, Herb Caen.
Summaries
USC 62- California 28: It was a beautiful, classic fall day up in Strawberry Canyon and the Trojans went on a Golden Bear hunt. Trojan WR Nelson Agholor got things started for USC by returning a punt by Cal's Cole Leininger 75 yards to the house just 1:55 left into the first quarter. Throw in a 12-yard TD reception from RB Silas Redd and a 43-yard jaunt to paydirt by RB Buck Allen and the Trojans led 21-0 after one quarter of play. USC never looked back, building a 41-14 halftime lead and 55-14 lead deep in the third quarter before emptying the benches for an extended stretch of garbage time. Agholor finished the day with two punt returns for TDs, while Allen tallied 135 yards rushing and 2 TDs to go with 57 yards receiving and another score. USC QB Cody Kessler went 14 of 17 on the day for 170 yards and 2 TDs to also help lead the Trojan charge. As for the Bears, true freshman sensation, QB Jeff Goff complered 34 of 48 passes for 255 yards and 3 TDs in the loss.
Telling Stat: Dialing long distance; the Trojans nine TDs on the day came on plays covering a total of 414 yards, that's a nifty 46 yards per scoring play.
Stanford 26- Oregon 20: For 50 minutes, the Cardinal manhandled the Ducks. Then, they held on for dear life for the final 10 minutes to get the win. Stanford built up a 26-0 lead through tough defense and the running of RB Tyler Gaffney. Gaffney toted the rock 45 times for 157 yards and one TD. PK Jordan Williamson wasn't too bad either, he hit on four of five field goal attempts. However, that fifth one was blocked and returned 65 yards for a TD by UO DB Rodney Hardrick. Then, the Ducks recovered the onside kick and the ballgame got real exciting. UO QB Marcus Mariota drove his squad down the field and threw a TD pass to WR Pharaoh Brown to cut the Stanford lead to just 26-20 with 2:12 to play. With the once jubilant Stanford Stadium crowd now on edge, the Cardinal recovered the ensuing onside kick and were able to run out the clock to escape with the victory.
Telling Stat: They controlled the line of scrimmage and the game; Stanford dominated the line of scrimmage on Oregon. They held the ball for 42:32 by rushing 66 times for 274 yards and converting 14 of 21 third downs in the contest.
Washington 59- Colorado 7: The Huskies took a season's worth frustration out on the hapless Buffaloes. UW QB Keith Price had a great night, completing 22 of 29 aerials for 312 yards and two TDs, while also running for 29 yards and another two scores. RB Bishop Sankey was his usual strong self, toting the rock 23 times for 143 yards and a TD. Colorado QB Sefo Liufau threw for 160 yards and a TD in the loss.
Telling Stat: 49 for 45; After leaving the first quarter with a 10-7 lead, the Huskies blanked the boys from Boulder, 49-0 over the last 45:00 to secure an easy win.
Arizona State 20- Utah 19: For three quarters it looked like Utah would pull off their second big home upset of the year as they held a 19-7 lead over the Fighting Sparkies. Then, the wheels fell off and the Sun Devils dominated the fourth quarter to get a big road win. ASU QB Taylor Kelly had a miserable day throwing for just 144 yards, But he did run for a TD and throw for the game-winning score with just 2:37 to play when he hooked up with WR Richard Smith from 14 yards out. Meanwhile, the ASU defense stepped it up in the fourth quarter allowing only 26 yards, forcing three punts and picking off two passes to secure the victory. For the Utes, QB Tyler Wilson only threw for 121 yards, but did throw for his squad's only two TDs on the day.
Telling Stat: When they needed it; While the ASU defense dominated, the ASU offense gained 176 of their 293 total yards and scored 14 of their 20 points in the final stanza.
UCLA 31- Arizona 26: So, the bRuins take LB Myles Jack and try him out on offense too. All the kid does is rush for 120 yards on six carries and a TD while also racking up eight tackles and recovering UofA RB Ka'Deem Carey's fumble in the UCLA end zone to preserve the win. Not a bad night for a freshman. Not a bad night for the bRuins as a whole as they came away with their first win in Tucson since 2003. bRuin QB Brett Hundley was sharp, completing 18 of 25 passes for 227 yards and two TDs, while running for 56 yards and another score. As for UofA, Carey ran for 149 yards on 28 carries in the loss.
Telling Stat: 1 big mistake; UofA RB Ka'Deem Carey's fumble on the goal line cost the Wildcats the upset.
Pittsburgh 28- Notre Dame 21: It looked like the Fighting Irish were on their way to another one of their close victories this year, but the Panthers had other ideas. Pitt shutout ND in the fourth quarter, while tallying the game-winning score on a 1-yard run by RB James Connor with 9:36 to play. The loss seriously damaged any hopes of ND landing a BCS bid. ND QB Tommy Rees threw for 318 yards and two TDs in the loss.
Telling Stat: 3; three losses doesn't get you a BCS berth.
Observations
...?????; What was Lane Kiffin's reason for keeping Buck Allen in his doghouse? CLK should have been fired for that bit of stupidity alone.
...The blueprint still works: The way to beat Oregon was shown yet again by Stanford. Finesse teams hate getting hit. Stanford hits hard, very hard.
...Golden Roses; Minnesota is 8-2, with the upside being that two more wins puts the Golden Gophers in the Big Ten Championship Game. Downside is that those two games are against Wisconsin and Michigan State.
...Obviously not Tommy's brother; Stanford has a wide receiver named Jeff Trojan.
...Get that kid a leather helmet; UCLA RB Myles Jack deserves one after playing both ways at RB and LB to lead the bRuins to their win at UofA.
...Another memo not read; I think it's time that maybe Charlie Weis starts sending text messages instead of memos. Okie State sure didn't get the message on how KU had the schematic advantage. The Cowboys whipped the Jayhawks, 42-6. Old Chuckles shouldn't worry though. After all, basketball season has started at KU.
...And then there were five; There are still five winless teams in the FBS. They are Connecticut, Southern Mississippi, Hawaii, Georgia State, and Miami (OH). Southern Miss is riding a 21-game losing streak.
...First the winged helmet, now this; Princeton has a great thing going this season with their three QB Offense. The Tigers lineup in the spread with three QBs in the formation. One in the shotgun set, and the other two split on opposite sides of the formation. All three can run and throw the ball on any given play. The Tiger offense has been giving their Ivy League opponents fits this season.
...A tale told by an idiot; Thee Ohio State WR Evan Spencer said of Florida State and Alabama that Thee OSU "would wipe the field with both of them." Really, dude? I guess there is no drug testing at Thee OSU.
...Thinking ahead; I would really, really like the Baylor-Texas game on December 7th to be for all the marbles in the Big XII.
...Too much testosterone; In their early warmups, the Texas O-line and D-line decided to show how tough they were in the 30 degree temperature at West Virginia by going shirtless. That's nuts. I just would have proclaimed myself tough on the inside and left it at that.
...Pretty bad in Gatorland; Florida dropped a 34-17 decision at home to Vanderbilt last weekend. The Gators haven't lost to Vandy at home since 1945.
...8 maybe 10; Currently 8 Pac 12 teams are bowl-eligible. That number could increase to 10 if Wazzu and Utah each win two of their final three games.
...Something's got to give; Cal plays at Colorado this week. Somebody is gonna get their first Pac 12 win.
...Quietly making noise; Duke is 7-2. The Blue Devils are going bowling. Wow.
Ugly Uniform of the Week
This week's winner is Nevada for taking a good concept and blowing it.
The grey uniform is a good fit for Nevada as it is one of their school colors. This one is ugly because they didn't pull it off right. Wearing their blue helmets and using full blue stripes down the pants would have made this a really good uniform.
Departments
Close Game of the Week: Kirksville, MO- The Pumas of St. Jospeh's (IN) got a pair of fourth quarter field goals to defeat the Truman State Tigers, 6-3. This was a defensive battle where the teams combined to convert only 11 of 36 third downs and turned the ball over six times.
Blowout of the Week: Cleveland, MS- The Delta State Statesmen dismantled the Concordia College Clippers, 77-0. The Statesmen picked up chunks of yards at will in this one, facing only five third downs in the game while racking up 11 TDs. The DSU defense held the Clippers to just 142 yards of offense and seven first downs in the rout.
Razorback Report: It was another loss for the Hogs as they had no answer for Ole Miss QB Bo Wallace. Wallace torched the Hogs for 416 yards passing and three TDs. In the loss, QB Brandon Allen threw for 193 yards and two TDs. Up next for the Hogs is a home game with Mississippi State.
Horned Frog Headlines: With just :38 left, QB Trevone Boykin crossed the double stripe from one-yard out and the Horned Frogs came away with a 21-17 win over Iowa State. Boykin only rushed for 29 yards in the game, but scored all three TCU TDs. Up next for the Frogs is a trip to Kansas State.
Tulane Times: The Green Wave's chances of getting to the C-USA title game took a big hit when they were upset, 10-7 by the UTSA Roadrunners over the weekend. RB Orelans Darkwa rushed for 103 yards and a TD on 20 carries for Tulane in defeat. With the game tied at 7-7, the Roadrunners went on a 10 play, 63-yard drive that culminated with PK Sean Ianno hitting from 34-yards out for the victory. up next for Tulane is a home date with UTEP.
C.W. Post Press: Brookville, NY- No correct assumptions were made by the Pioneers as they lost to Assumption College, 37-27. Post Qb Steve Laurino threw for 164 yards and three TDs in the loss.
This Week's Three Notes About Nothing
The 17 mile drive on the Monterrey Peninsula and having lunch at Pebble Beach is flat out awesome.
Harris Ranch rocks.
Memorial Stadium at Cal on a perfect fall day, is one of the best venues in all of college football.
Until next week folks, remember that special teams can truly be special.
The Commissioner
