It's time for that column that let's you waste time at work on Tuesdays, Notes on a Pac 12 scorecard. We still miss you, Bill Flemming.
Summaries
Stanford 41- USC 31: Well folks, where do we begin with describing this debacle at the Coliseum? It begins and ends with the Stanford O-line. The experienced Cardinal O-line pushed USC's defensive front seven around like blocking sleds all night long. One reason is that the line is very good. Two is that USC's lack of imagination in a defensive game plan helped the line be that much better. The Trojans didn't stunt along the line all night, nor did it adjust when the Cardinal went into their numerous jumbo packages. The result is that after USC, pulled ahead 28-24 early in the second half, the Cardinal held the ball for almost 22 minutes of the second half and ground out the win in typical Stanford fashion. SU RB Christian McCaffrey did the heavy lifting in the offense rushing for 115 yards on 21 carries and catching three passes for 37 yards, while his teammate RB Remound Wright scored three TDs on 11 carries with 41 yards gained on the ground. Even though he played on just one leg basically in the second half, Cardinal QB Kevin Hogan threw for 279 yards and a pair of scores. USC's Cody Kessler threw for 272 yards and three TDs in the loss.
Telling Stat: They played keep away; Stanford held the ball for nearly 40 minutes and kept the Trojan offense on the bench for most of the second half to bring home a win.
Washington 31- Utah State 17: For the second week in a row, Utah State played a fine first half, then faltered in the second half to lose to a Pac 12 team. The Huskies sported a 17-10 halftime advantage largely because of the skills of PK Tristan Vizcaino. Already up 10-3, Vizcaino pushed the lead out to 17-3 for the Dawgs when he took the direct snap on what would be a 19-yard field goal attempt and raced around the right end for a TD. The Aggies drew within seven of UW when RB David Moala crossed the goal line from one yard out just before halftime. The third quarter and the game belonged to the Huskies. QB Jake Browning found his receivers for two TDs that covered 33 and 3 yards to push the Huskies lead to 31-10. The Aggies defense finished off the scoring when Safety Jontrell Rocquemore took a UW fumble 97 yards to the house with 9:47 to play. Browning finished the game completing 22 of 31 tosses for 368 yards and three TDs. Utah State QB Chuckie Keeton hit on only 17 of 33 passes for 171 yards and a pair of interceptions in the loss.
Telling Stat: 0-0-0; The Washington defense has shutout all three of their opponents this year in the second half. Last Saturday they forced two turnovers and held for downs twice as part of their second half shutout of Utah State.
UCLA 24- BYU 23: With true freshman QB and 2015 Major League Baseball Roberto Clemente Award Winner, Josh Rosen stinking up the Rose Bowl last week, the bRuins relied on their running game to eek out a win over the Cougars. UCLA trailed all game but kept chirping away at BYU with RB Paul Perkins. Perkins gashed the Cougars for 219 yards on 26 carries, but his backup, Nate Starks answered the bell when Perkins was worn out late in the game. He crossed the double stripe from three yards out with just 3:21 to play. The ensuing PAT was good and UCLA held their first lead of the night. The bRuin defense held on the rest of the way, intercepting BYU QB Tanner Magnum in their own territory to kill the Cougars chances with :58 left. Rosen would only complete 11 of 23 passes for 106 yards, a TD and three big interceptions on the night. Lost in UCLA's fine rushing effort was BYU RB Adam Hine, who ground out 149 yards and 23 carries and a TD.
Telling Stat: 3< 7; UCLA's defense held BYU to field goals on their last two scoring drives of the game which gave their offense the chance it needed to comeback and win the game.
Colorado 27- Colorado State 24 OT: A big defensive play in regulation and great special teams play in overtime gave the Buffaloes a win in this rivalry game with the boys from Fort Collins. With he game tied at 17-17 midway through the fourth period, CU LB Kenneth Olugbode picked off CSU QB Nick Stevens and rumbled 60 yards to paydirt to give his squad a 24-17 lead. Then after the game went to overtime at 24-24, Buffs DB Cedric Thompson blocked CSU PK Wyatt Bryan's 27-yard field goal attempt. On the ensuing possession, CU PK Diego Gonzalez nailed a 32-yarder to hand CU the win and the Centennial Cup. CU's statistical standout was QB Sefo Liufau who threw for 220 yards and two TDs, while the CSU attack was led by RB Dalyn Dawkins who rushed for 118 yards on 20 carries and one TD.
Telling Stat: Turnovers kill; Colorado State dominated in almost every phase of this game, but they lost the turnover battle, 2-0 which led to the Rams losing the game.
Washington State 31- Wyoming 17: Folks almost forgot what a home win looked like in Pullman, but the Cougars played a strong final three quarters to notch their first home victory in over a year at the expense of the Cowboys. After falling behind, 14-7, the Cougars went on a 24-0 run the rest of the way. QB Luke Falk had an average day for a WSU signal caller completing just 37 of 45 passes for 303 yards and two TDs. He also tallied another score on a QB sneak. The Cowboys piled up a bunch of yards in this game, but not many points with QB Cameron Coffman throwing for 296 yards with a TD and RB Brian Hill toting the rock 20 times for 139 yards.
Telling Stat: 0 for 45; The Wazzu defense stepped up and kept Wyoming off the board for the final three quarters to ensure a win.
Oregon 61- Georgia State 28: Oregon's defense played three quarters, while their offense played all four quarters in a romp over the Panthers. UO QB Jeff Lockie made his first start as a Duck in place of the injured Vernon Adams, Jr. who has a broken finger on his throwing hand. Locke filled in well, connecting on 23 of 321 throws for 228 yards and a pair of scores. The Ducks rushed for 311 yards as a team with RB Royce Freeman gaining 101 of those yards on a mere 10 carries and crossing the double stripe once. GSU WR Penny Hart hauled in nine balls for 128 yards to lead all receivers.
Not as close as it looked; Oregon's defense took the third quarter off allowing Georgia State to score 21 points before closing the door in the fourth quarter on the Panthers.
Arizona State 34- New Mexico 10: The Sun Devils looked a little shaky on offense, but were in control of this game from the start in this meeting of old Border Conference foes. After a so-so first quarter, the Sun Devil offense found their rhythm. ASU QB Mike Bercovici passed for 317 yards with three TDs and ran for another TD. RB Demario Richard was a great dual threat rushing for 104 yards on 15 carries and hauling in four aerials for 151 yards and two TDs. The ASU defense held the Lobos in check all night long allowing a moderate amount of total yards, (295) and keeping them off the scoreboard for the most part.
Telling Stat: A not so big 10; The ASU defense held New Mexico in check, giving up 10 points, which gave their offense the time to find their rhythm.
Utah 45- Fresno State 24: With Starting QB Travis Wilson sidelined with a sprained shoulder he suffered the week before v. Utah State, The Utes turned to their running game and special teams to whip the Bulldogs. At the start of the fourth quarter, Utah held a 24-3 lead on an Andy Phillips 33- yard field goal, two TD runs by RB Devontae Booker and a 37-yard TD return on fumble by DE Stevie Tu'ikolovatu. Utah then got a 98-yard kickoff return by KR Cory Butler-Byrd and 77-yard punt return from PR Britain Covey to put this game away. Fresno State scored a couple of garbage time TDs to make the score look closer than it was. Booker finished the night with 156 yards on 31 carries and those two TDs. Fresno QB Zack Greenlee threw for 144 yards and three TDs in the loss.
Telling Stat: Five ways to paydirt; Utah got TDs via rushing, passing, punt return, kickoff return, and a defensive return in this win.
Oregon State 35- San Jose State 21: Things didn't look so good for the Beavers at halftime, trailing 21-14 to the Spartans. However SJSU's top QB, Kenny Potter, the pride of San Pedro High, had been knocked out of the game by the OSU defense. With the SJSU offense now sputtering, the Beavers put up 21 second half points to grab the win. True freshman QB Seth Collins had a good night. He completed 13 of 25 aerials for 135 yards and a score in addition to carrying the ball 16 times for 114 yards and two more scores. RB Storm Barrs-Woods carried the ball 17 times for 151 yards and a score of his own. As for SJSU, Before being knocked out, Poter completed eight of nine passes for 72 yards, his backups combined to complete 12 of 24 passes for 77 yards and a TD.
Telling Stat: 88+5= 2H 0; Oregon State's defense held SJSU to 88 total yards and gave up just five first downs in their second half shutout of the Spartans.
Arizona 77- Northern Arizona 13: After a sluggish start and 7-6 lead after one quarter of play, the Wildcats exploded for 35 second quarter points to turn this game into a laugher in Tucson. He played only a little past halftime, but QB Anu Solomon looked sharp, connecting on 25 of 35 tosses for 285 yards and four TDs. Solomon also ran for a score as well. RB Jerrard Randall rushed for 149 yards on just three carries and scored two TDs for the Cats. His backfield mate, Nick Wilson piled up 143 yards rushing on 19 carries and also scored twice. The Wildcats emptied the benches in the second half with everyone including the Tuba players earning their letter.
Telling Stat: 77/94; The 77 points scored by UofA is the most scored by a Wildcat team ever in a game. The old mark of 74 points was accomplished 94 years ago against the College of Mines and Metallurgy of the University of Texas. That school would eventually become known as UTEP.
California 45- Texas 44: At the start of the fourth quarter down in Austin, The Golden Bears had a 45-24 lead and looked like they might hang 70 on the hapless 'Horns. Then, Texas woke up. QB Jerrod Heard led a comeback that put his squad a point away from a tie with 1:11 to play. The PAT would tie the game and make overtime a possibility. PK Nick Rose then dashed UT's comeback hopes when his kick sailed wide right. Cal recovered the ensuing onside kick and knelt down twice to kill the clock and escape with the win. In the loss, Heard had the game of his life. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 364 yards and ran 24 times for 163 yards and three TDs. His 527 total yards from scrimmage is a new Texas single-game record. Cal's attack was balanced in this game with QB Jared Goff completing 27 of 37 tosses for 268 yards and 3TDs, while RBs Khalfani Muhammad and Vic Enwere combined for 217 yards on 26 carries and three scores.
Telling Stat: 3 out of 4 almost = loss; After gaining 532 yards and putting 45 points on the board
through three quarters, The Cal offense took the fourth quarter off. They only gained 16 total yards and were shutout in the final period.
Notre Dame 30- Georgia Tech 22: It was a case of no QB, no RB, no problem for the Fighting Irish in their win over the Yellow Jackets. The Irish never looked like they missed their starting QB and RB who have been lost for the season due to injury. New starters, QB DeShone Kizer and RB C.J Prosise combined for 440 yards from scrimmage and four TDs. The Irish built up a 30-7 lead before giving up a pair of garbage time TDs late in the fourth quarter. RB Patrick Skov led the Georgia Tech attack rushing for 66 yards and a one TD while catching passes for two more scores.
Telling Stat: 15 that came too little, too late : ND dominated this game form the start, giving up 15 points in the final minute of play.
Observations
...Not very Direct; Looks like the optimism over the Pac 12 Network finally being available on DirecTV is in vain. This podcast sheds some good light on the situation. My season tally after this weekend is 15 Pac 12 games I haven't been able to see due to this. Thanks, Leisure Suit Larry Scott.
+No Deal
...You can't go home again; Louisville is 0-3 this season under the tutelage of wannabe Harley-Davidson enthusiast Bob Petrino. While Cardinal fans are angry, the entire state of Arkansas is laughing.
...Can't make this up; We all know Snoop Dogg's son quit the UCLA football team. Now he's trying his hand at designing men's underwear.
...Thus just in; USC DC Justin Wilcox was over an hour and a half late to work today because he refused to listen to Waze and make an adjustment while halfway to the McKay Center.
...Runnin' Beavers; Oregon State is running the ball out of the option so much that they may pile up more rushing yards than Stanford this year. Somewhere, Jerry Pettibone is smiling.
...Big MACs; The MAC conference has been pretty good in the last few years, but now they are playing well enough that none of the power five will schedule them soon.
...Not a felon; Looks like UCLA CB Ishmael Adams won't be hit with felony charges for theft and assault stemming from his arrest a few weeks ago. That reminds me of the old line in Dan Jenkins' book Rude Behavior when he wrote. "His running back was so fast he went from armed robbery to probation overnight."
...Might break the scoreboard; With each team having such poor defense, the USC- Cal final score this year could be 98-96 in triple OT.
...Makes me go hmmmm; In the coaching profession where everyone seems to end up working for everyone else and goodwill is maintained in the fraternity for the most part, Arkansas HC Brett Bielema has to be a real jerk. Coaches seem to go out of their way to take shots at him.
...Gracing us with their presence; Those ancient eight teams of the Ivy League have begun play this past weekend.
...Missing persons; An APB was issued at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum shortly after 5:00 PM last Saturday. USC's defensive line went missing shortly after kickoff v. Stanford.
...Note to Texas PK Nick Rose; Son, you went form YouTube sensation to goat in one kick.
...The final 30; Funny how it seems the teams that make halftime adjustments and dominate the second halves of games actually win a lot of games. Be afraid Trojan fans, be very afraid.
....This just in; Auburn stinks.
...Costly victories; Notre Dame lost their sixth starter for the season when Safety Drue Tranquill tore his ACL when celebrating a pass breakup v. Georgia Tech. ND could be the only undefeated team to lose all 22 starters during the season.
...Lost in the shuffle; While everyone was rightfully paying attention to Theee OSU's offensive woes in their narrow defeat of Northern Illinois, the Buckeyes also inducted 14 former new member into their Athletics Hall of Fame. One of them was former HC Jim Tressel. It was his first trip back to The Horseshoe since he and the school parted ways a few years ago. Hmmmm.
...Do not adjust your sets; LSU, an SEC team, is actually playing a road non-conference game this week. So, if it looks like LSU is playing at Syracuse, it 's O.K. They really are.
...Nike Ducks on film; This video has been out for a week or two. It's great UO Nike propaganda. Whether you're an Oregon fan or not, this video is pretty darn good. It's long, but the last 1:50 is great to see all the former Oregon stars in the video. Also, I think it is a challenge to all Trojans out there. I think USC could do a better one! Fight On!
Incredibly Obscure Football Trivia Question
USC DB Leon McQuay III has a family tie to the Grey Cup that has been a source of controversy since it occurred. Can you name it? Googling this answer is not only allowed, it's encouraged.
Ugly Uniform of the Week: It's time to pick on the Ducks again. They keep trying to show me that Hi-Liter Yellow is a uniform color. IT IS NOT!!!!!
Departments
Low Score Game of the Week: Miami Gardens, FL- After giving up 98 points in their first two games, the Bethune Cookman Wildcats surrendered just a field goal while making three fourth quarter stands to walk away with a 7-3 win over the Lane College Dragons. RB Anthony Jordan rambled in from nine yards out for the Wildcats lone score late in the second quarter.
Blowout Game of the Week: Valparaiso, IN- The Valparaiso Crusaders crushed the College of Faith Warriors, 86-0. QB Jake Hutson, rushed for four TDs on just six carries and threw for two more scores in one half's worth of work. As a team Valpo rushed for 333 yards and eight TDs. Unfortunately for Valparaiso, none of the stats from this game will count as the College of Faith doesn't meet NCAA accreditation standards and is therefore a "Non-Countable" opponent.
C.W. Post Press: Manchester, NH- The Pioneers walked away from their Northeast 10 Conference opener with a come from behind, 24-21 victory over the St. Anselm Hawks. The Pioneers built up a 17-7 lead, before watching it fall away when St. Anselm scored back-to-back TDs in the fourth period to take a 21-17 lead. Then, QB Jeff "Comeback" Kidd led the Toasties on a 51-yard, 6 play drive that was capped off with a 23-yard TD pass from Kidd to WR Shane Hubbard. Kidd finished the game competing 26 of 45 passes for 227 yards and 2 TDs. The Hawks got a hug day from RB Elad Covaliu. He gained 259 yards rushing on just 20 carries and scored two TDs. Post is 3-0 for the first time since 2002. Up next for the Pioneers is a home game with the Stonehill College Skyhawks.
Incredibly Obscure Football Trivia Answer
USC DB Leon McQuay's grandfather, the original Leon McQuay was an RB for the 1971 Toronto Argonauts. In the Grey Cup that year, he fumbled deep in Calgary Stampeder territory with under two minutes to play and Toronto lost the Grey Cup, 14-11. What made the fumble so controversial is that it was caused by the ground when McQuay hit the rain-soaked artificial turf. The refs blew the call according to the film and CFL historians.
This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...
Nothing like taking your rental car to the gas pump and not knowing which side your gas tank is on.
The dog from down south, my dog through marriage, Trekker II, just spent the night in my house. How life has changed.
Fall beginning on September 23rd just seems a day late to me.
Until next week folks, remember that teams that make the better halftime adjustments win games.
-The Commissioner
