Happy Fall! Let's celebrate with another edition of Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard. We still miss you, Alan Malamud.
Summaries
USC 39- Washington State 36: A larger than expected number showed up for what was an unexpected shootout at the Coliseum. A small percentage of the crowd were Wazzu faithful excited over their squad's 3-0 start while the rest of the crowd were disgruntled Trojan fans wondering if they were watching HC Clay Helton's last game on the SC sidelines. Midway through the third period, the game had become what SC fans feared. The Trojans had frittered away an early lead with bad play calling, poor o-line play, a non existent effort form their tight ends and a defense that couldn't produce a sack or a turnover against a sharp, well prepared Cougar squad. Wazzu had just driven the length of the field and found paydirt on their first drive of the second half. Wazzu then blew the extra point. The good snap sailed right through the hands of holder Trey Tinsley. The blown PAT gave USC a small sliver of life down 30-17. USC scored the next 14 points to take a 31-30 lead thanks to two TD passes by QB J.T. Daniels. The first one was a hitch pass that WR Michael Pittman, Jr. turned into a 50-yard score and the second one was a perfect 30-yard fade pass dropped in over the shoulder of Daniels' high school buddy, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. Then, the USC defense was sliced and diced by Wazzu QB Gardner Minshew II. Seven quick plays later, the Cougars led 36-31on a scoring strike from Minshew to WR Easop Winston. Forced to chase points, WSU's two-point conversion failed. Then, Wazzu's purposely short kickoff was returned 25 yards to the USC 44-yard line. Five plays later, the Trojans led 37-36 on short TD blast by RB Vavae Malepeai. The trojans lead expanded to 39-36 when Daniels threaded the needle to WR Tyler Vaughns for the two-point conversion. After the teams traded punts, WSU embarked on a 53-yard rive that had victory written all over it. WSU then got conservative and were stuffed on a pair of runs deep in SC territory. On came PK Blake Mazza for 38-yard FG attempt to send the game to OT. The attempt was blocked by USC DT Jay Tufele. Basically, Wazzu's LG on the play fell down head first blocking air and Tufele rushed in and swatted the kick away. USC then, to this reporter's utter joy and surprise, went into a classic two TE, I-formatiion with a fullback and ran the clock out for the win. Daniels finished the game completing 17 passes in 26 attempts for 241 yards and three TDs, while Malepeai gained 78 yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns. Minshew torched the SC secondary for 344 yards and three TDs in the tough loss.
Telling Stat: 2 > Everything else= L; WSU beat USC in every statistical category, but failed on two special teams plays and that was the difference in the game.
Stanford 38- Oregon 31 OT: Gameday came to Eugene, tributes were made to the school where Animal House was filmed, many various gaudy shades of green and gold filled our TV screens and Lee Corso picked the Ducks to upset Stanford. It looked like Corso and this intrepid reporter were both right in our predictions of the Cardinal's demise as the Ducks held a 24-7 lead in the third quarter. Oregon loomed in position to bury Stanford when WR Jaylon Redd received a perfectly executed, smooth pitch on a fly sweep from QB Justin Herbert and rambled into the end zone for what would be a 31-7 Duck advantage. However, after review of the score, Redd had kicked the pylon on his way to pay dirt. The pylon is out of bounds per rule and the ball had not yet crossed the plane of the goal when Redd kicked it. Ok, No TD, no problem because UO still had a 1st and goal at the one-yard line. No problem then became a big problem as the Ducks self destructed and opened the door for an epic Stanford comeback. A monumentally poor snap on 3rd and goal led to a Stanford fumble return for a TD and suddenly the Cardinal were back in the game down 24-14. SU fed off the momentum and outscored the Quacks, 21-7 in the second half, but still trailed 31-28 with 2:17 to play. UO had a1st and 10 at the 50. Stanford had one time out left. All the Ducks had to do was fall on the ball three times then punt the ball deep with a few seconds left. They didn't do that. Instead they ran the ball twice. On the second down carry, RB C.J. Verdell fumbled and Stanford had one last chance with :51 left in regulation. Seven quick plays later, PK Jet Toner nailed a 32-yard field goal and the game headed to OT in front of the stunned throng at Autzen Stadium. Stanford had the ball first in OT and QB K.J. Costello hooked up with TE Colby Parkinson for a 23-yard acrobatic TD to give the Cardinal their first lead of the game. Then came Oregon's turn on offense and they gained one first down. After that came four straight incompletions, or should we say four straight holding/interference calls not made by the ever vigilant Pac 12 refs and the game was over. Costello finished the game strong with 327 yards passing and three TDs. Justin Herbert threw for 346 yards and a TD in the stunning defeat.
Telling Stat: 2 in the 3rd= L; Oregon's two turnovers in the third quarter opened the door for Stanford to make their improbable comeback against the Ducks. You really can't blame the pylon for Oregon's choke job.
Arizona 35- Oregon State 14: With OSU's QB Jake Luton sitting out with an ankle injury and UofA QB Khalil Tate playing on a gimpy ankle, folks wondered who would step up for either side to provide offense on this rainy day in Corvallis. The Arizona rushing attack led by RB's J.J. Taylor and Gary Brightwell stepped up and ran the Wildcats to victory. Taylor ran for 284 yards on 27 carries and a pair of scores with his biggest run being a 62-yarder to put the game away with 5:26 to play. Brightwell carried the ball 13 times and cut through the Beavers for 113 yards and a TD of his own. Throw in two TD passes fromTate and the Wildcats won their first conference game in the Kevin Sumlin era. QB Conor Blount completed 17 of 24 passes for 137 yards and both of OSU's TDs in the losing effort.
Telling Stat: 51/442 for the win; Arizona ran the Beavers out of the stadium, rushing for 442 yards on 51 attempts to grab the win.
Washington 27- Arizona State 20: Both offenses hit the field running in this one up in Seattle. A game opening interception on a UW trick play set up ASU with a very short field and the Sun Devils took an early 7-0 lead on a 1-yard run by RB Eno Benjamin. The Huskies tied the score up on the ensuing drive, going 80 yards in nine plays with QB Jake Browning finding WR Aaron Fuller for an 11-yard score. An ASU field goal and a another Browning TD gave the Dogs a 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter and folks though a shootout may be at hand. Well, ummm, no. The defenses then asserted themselves. Yards and points were hard to come by over the final three quarters. The score stood at 20-13 in favor of the Huskies as the fourth quarter got under way. Washington then seemed to have broken free of the Sun Devils when Browning threw his third TD pass of the game. This one was a five -yarder to TE Cade Otton to put UW up 27-13. ASU managed to make it close down the stretch when QB Manny Wilkins topped off a 55-yard scoring drive when he sliced into the end zone from one yard out with 2:54 left. ASU still had all their timeouts, so the Dawgs would need to pick up a first down to run out the clock. Thanks to friendly review off what was an incomplete pass on third down, UW wideout Andre Baccelia was given the catch for a first down. The Dawgs then ran out the clock and ran off the field with a hard fought victory. Browning grabbed the star nod by completing 15 of 22 passes for 202 yards and three scores, but the RB duo of Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed combined for 157 yards rushing on 31 carries to keep the UW offense moving. In the loss, ASU RB Eno Benjamin gained 104 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown, while Wilkins threw for only 104 yards but did run for 13 yards rushing and a score.
Telling Stat: Grounded; The Washington defense stifled ASU's aerial attack, holding the Sun Devils to just 104 yards through the air. They held top ASU WR N'Keal Harry to five receptions for a paltry 20 yards.
Observations
...A real hands team; Is the Stanford secondary good because they cover well or just because they haven't been flagged for about 20 obvious pass interference and holding calls this year?
...Parental supervision required; Oregon State may have upped Miami's turnover chain idea in a very dangerous way. The Beavers have a turnover chainsaw. Yes, a chainsaw. Evidently it's a thing there.
Clear Cutting
...Not since Ike; Duke and Kentucky both appear as ranked teams in the AP College Football Poll this week. That hasn't happened since September 14, 1957.
...Martial arts from the Pirate; Wazzu's offense reminds me of one of the basic principles of Judo where your own energy is used against you to win.
...Panic in the Palmetto State; QB Kelly Bryant who led Clemson to the College Football Playoff last season has been benched by HC Dabo Swinney. Freshman Trevor Lawrence will take his place in the Tigers lineup. Didn't see that coming
...Head scratcher; The now 1-4 Colorado State Rams followed up their lone win for the season last week over Arkansas with a loss to FCS foe Illinois State from the Missouri Valley Conference this week. Wait, what? Yeah, it's true.
...Get the cowbells ready; Mississippi State is gong to throw a huge wrench into the SEC West race.
...Quietly making noise; With RBs from schools like Wisconsin and Navy near the top of the list, the current leading rusher in the NCAA is from pass-happy Memphis. The Tigers Darrell Henderson has rushed for 709 yards on just 58 carries this year. Whoa.
...He doesn't gamble much anymore; It is easy to see over the years that WSU HC Mike Leach seems to play not to lose rather than to win in tight games as his tenure lengthens in the Palouse.
...Ummm Duh; Trojan fans know USC's defense hasn't generated many turnovers this year. The Trojans are tied for 119th out of 129 FBS teams in that department.
...Catching up; Back over Labor Day a flap ensued between ESPN Pac 12 play-by-play man Mark jones and UW HC Chris Petersen. Jones is no fan of Petersen and he and the EPSN crew have let that be known in tweets and gestures. Well, Jones won't be broadcasting any UW games for awhile. Here's the story form the Seattle Times. So long, Mr. Jones
...Just a rumor; There is no truth to the rumor that USC has asked for a special NCAA panel to come in and explain what exactly a safety is and does it really exist in this game called football.
...Otton of known; Washington redshirt freshman TE Cade Otton is the nephew of former USC QB Brad Otton. Oh, and Brad's father, Sid Otton recently retired as the winningest coach in Washington high school football history.
...A wind from the islands; Hawaii is 4-1 with an outstanding shot to make a bowl game this year.
...Self inflicted tee; I ran across this story after this column was published last week. Back on 9/15 when Colorado was busy blowing out FCS foe New Hampshire, Chip, CU's polyester mascot, couldn't figure out which way to point a t-shirt cannon. Taking one for the team
...The painful 8; By dropping a 23-20 overtime decision at San Diego State this week, Eastern Michigan has now lost eight games decided by seven points or less since the start of the 2017 season.
...And then there were four; It's a little early in the year to list the only winless teams left in the FBS, but it's a interesting one. The four winless teams are Nebraska, San Jose State, UCLA and UTEP.
...Missing Larry; Haven't seen my favorite stadium vendor Larry Culpepper in a Dr. Pepper commercial yet this year. I miss the guy.
...Not so confident big red; You know its bad in Nebraska when reports are out that Huskers hope they can get a win v. Purdue this week.
...Monarchs Reign; While everyone talked up Washington State and Wake Forest all week, Old Dominion pulled off the upset of the year over VaTech. Maybe ODU won't be known for just Nancy Lieberman anymore.
...As Knoxville Turns; In this episode of the ongoing Orange and White soap opera, Vols HC Jeremy Pruitt and LB Quart'e Sapp are in the middle of a controversy where Pruit says he sent Sapp to the locker room because he refused to go back in the game during Tennessee's annual beat down by Florida. Sapp says that is wrong and tweeted so in his defense. Here's the story from the Knoxville News. HC said, LB said
...73 years ago; Nebraska is 0-3 for the first time since 1945 after being humiliated 56-3 at Michigan. The last time the Huskers were 0-3, they were members of the Big Six Conference, a full 12 years before the conference would become the Big Eight.
...Tough going for Terps; After spanking Minnesota, Maryland sits at 3-1 and 1-0 in conference play, however the Terrapins hopes for a bowl remain slim as they have division games left with Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State and also draw a road trip to Iowa out of the Big Ten West.
...They paid for it; Oklahoma's game with Army was only available to most of the country via pay-per-view. The price was around 55 bucks. That means OU fans paid at least 55 bucks to be scared to death by Army. SMH.
...A respite; I was glad ESPN came out to Oregon for Gameday last week. The folks at the four letter network needed a rest so they can gather their strength to make sure that they can come back strong and suck up even harder to Urban Meyer and Nick Saban for the rest of the season.
...Lesser of two evils; Is it possible that most of the country will be rooting for Penn State this week v. TheeeOSU? Hmmmmmmm.
...This just in; New Mexico State stinks. The Aggies could finish September at 1-5.
Coaching Takes a Toll
Must be tough to be the HC at Big Ten bottom feeder Illinois. Look what it has done to current HC Lovie Smith in just a little over two seasons.
2016
2018
Pac 12 Overreactions
USC will finish 7-5.
Wazzu still needs their running game more than they think.
ASU will ruin somebody's year.
Oregon needs to put the Victory Formation in their Phil Knight sponsored playbooks.
Washington wins despite Jake Browning.
Oregon State has the heart, but not the horses.
Stanford will get homered in South Bend.
Arizona will go 5-7.
Ugly Uniform of the Week
Illinois wins for this awful all-orange ensemble they wore when hosting Penn State this past Friday.
Departments
Low Score Game of the Week: Waynesburg, PA- This week's game comes from the President's Athletic Conference in D-III where the Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets came from behind to beat the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes, 10-7. The Yellow Jackets bookended the fourth quarter with a TD pass from QB Tyler Perone to WR Cole Booth with 13:22 to play and then got the game winning 20-yard field goal from PK Garrett Horne with :14 left.
Blowout Game of the Week: De Pere, WI- The blowout number again is 91. The St. Norbert College Green Knights walloped the Grinnell College Pioneers, 91-0. Of the 13 TDs scored by the Green Knights, four were defensive scores. The Green Knights also held Grinnell to 49 total yards. St. Norbert rushed for 391 yards and six TDs with nine different ballcarriers getting touches. It was such a cakewalk for St. Norbert that their offense only faced four third downs all game.
C.W. Post Press: Brookville, NY- The Bentley Falcons moved down the field on their first drive and took a 3-0 lead over Post with a 20-yard field goal from PK Grant Buchanan. That field goal would be Bentley's lone score of the day. Post grounded the Falcons the rest of the game and moved to 3-0 on the season with a 38-3 victory. Pioneers RB Malik Pierre cracked the century mark on the ground with 107 yards rushing on 15 carries and a touchdown, while QB Chris Laviano completed 18 of 33 passes for 250 yards and two TDs. The Post defense allowed a little over 300 total yards, but pitched a shutout, allowing only four of Bentley's 15 drives to cross midfield. Up next for the undefeated Pioneers is a a trip to North Andover, MA and a date with the Merrimack College Warriors.
Razorback Report: The Hogs entered SEC play this week and fell to Auburn, 34-3. The Razorbacks didn't play horribly on defense, holding the Tigers to 225 total yards, but a 96-yard kickoff return for a TD and blocked punt turned the game into Auburn's favor. QB Ty Storey threw for 141 yards and an interception in the loss for Arkansas. Up next for the Hogs is a trip to Jerryworld to take on Texas A&M.
This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...
The rush hour in San Pedro after family dinner on Sundays starts at 8 P.M. during the school year.
You know you don't care that much about gardening when some of your gardening tools sit in their packaging in your garage.
I never remember until it's upon us how much I like Autumn.
Until next time, remember it's always better to dodge the pylon than to kick it.
-The Commissioner
