Its time for another edition of the column that makes you want go tailgate, Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard. We still miss you, Stu Nahan.
Summaries
USC 30- Colorado 21: During the week many of the Colorado faithful wondered why their team hadn't been given more praise coming into this game. After all, they were the last undefeated squad west of the Mississippi. They had the great WR Laviska Shenault, Jr. and QB Steven Montez and a defense that had only given up three points in the fourth quarter all year. Well, now you know why CU fans. An immensely talented, yet undisciplined USC squad with a myriad of problems still managed to render the Buffs offense insert while generating enough offense of their own to walk out of the Coliseum with another ugly win. The Trojan offense, with a week off to prepare, still couldn't run block, but boy they could throw. After a first quarter that featured two interceptions by QB JT Daniels, the talented freshman found his groove with WR's Tyler Vaughns and Michael Pittman, Jr. USC's "braintrust" realized that Colorado's secondary just couldn't cover the pair and in a span of 12 plays in the second quarter put up three TDs to take a 21-7 lead into the half. After three quarters USC held a 28-7 lead when DB Ajene Harris intercepted an errant screen pass from Montez and quickly raced six yards for a pick six. USC's defense had a stranglehold on the game thanks to their defense that camped out in the CU backfield all game and didn't let anybody run wide on them. However, this is the 2018 Trojans and the offense never sustained a drive for most of the half and the defense got tired. A tired defense and a few penalties led to a CU comeback. The Buffs had cut their deficit to 31-20 with 3:23 and had just recovered an onside kick because yet another Trojan TE had failed to make a play. However USC did hold on for the win which came at a heavy cost. Trojan captain and DE Porter Gustin was lost for the year when he fractured his ankle. The injury came on CU's last offensive snap of the game. Despite the struggles for three quarters, Daniels finished the game with 283 yards passing and three TDs. Montez threw for 179 yards and an interception, while Shenault was a non-factor outside of one play where he ran for a 49- yard TD in the first quarter.
Telling Stat: They lived in the backfield; The USC defense overpowered the Colorado OL, racking up 16 tackles for losses along with four sacks to keep the Buffs behind the chains. That effort gave USC the win.
Oregon 30- Washington 27 OT: Blowouts are the norm between these two squads, but this year's barn-burner at Autzen featured another failed effort by a Chris Petersen led UW squad and redemption for one Oregon RB. It didn't look like either of those things were going to happen with :03 left in regulation play. The game had see-sawed back and forth to reach the :03 mark. UW had overcome an early turnover to take a 10-3 lead on a 25-yard TD jaunt by RB Salvon Ahmed in the first quarter. Another Ahmed TD run and a pair of TD passes form Quack QB Justin Herbert led to a 17-17 stalemate going into the half. The teams traded TDs in the third quarter. The fourth quarter was a period of missed opportunities. Oregon PK Adam Stack missed a 42-yard FG attempt, which was followed by a Washington fumble by QB Jake Browning on a 4th &1 at the Ducks 26-yard line. UO was forced to punt and the Dawgs then drove 72 yards to the UO 20 with :03 left. On came PK Peyton Henry. UO called time outs to ice Henry and it worked. He missed the game-winning kick and OT was at hand. The Huskies were forced to settle fro a FG and took a 27-24 lead. The Ducks drove down to UW's six-yard line and it was redemption time for RB C.J. Verdell. Verdell, if you remember was the RB who kicked the pylon in the Ducks game with Stanford a few weeks back which led to the Cardinal's epic comeback win. Verdell didn't kick any pylons this time. He took the handoff straight up the middle six yards to victory. Verdell ended up lugging the leather 29 times in the game for 111 yard rushing and two TDs, while Herbet threw for 202 yards and a pair of scores. Browning threw for 243 yards and a touchdown in the upset loss.
Telling Stat: -2 = L; In this even game, turnovers were the difference. Washington's two turnovers led to three Oregon points and that was the difference in the game.
Utah 42- Arizona 10: Three Things that were known coming into this game. One, Arizona has a bad defense. Two, UofA QB Khalil Tate is just a shell of himself due to an ankle injury that has robbed him of his much needed mobility. Three, the above two things would prove to be a recipe for disaster for the Wildcats on a Friday night in Salt Lake City. Utah took advantage of UofA's shoddy defense, forced Khalil Tate to the bench, and then went on to humiliate the Wildcats in this non-contest at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah QB Tyler Huntley found his accuracy for one of the few times this year, completing 14 of 19 tosses for 201 yards and two TDs. He used his mobility as well, rushing for 64 yards and a score as well. Utah ran the ball well, piling up 230 yards on the ground with RB Zack Moss leading all rushers with 68 yards on 15 carries and a TD. Backup QB Rick Rodriguez threw for 226 yards and a TD in the loss for Arizona.
Telling Stat: 1+9= W; Take a not even one dimensional injured QB and add nine defenders in the box on most plays to stop UofA's ruining game and that adds up to an easy night for the Utes.
UCLA 37- California 7: Last week Cal handed a win to Arizona with a pair of second half pick sixes. This week the Golden Bears offense kept up their giving ways and handed the game to the bRuins who were able to notch their first win of the Chip Kelly era. A first quarter Cal fumble was turned into a 7-0 lead by the bRuins on a five-yard TD run by RB Joshua Kelley. UCLA added a pair of FGs to take a 13-0 lead into the half. Cal came out to start the third quarter and drove 75 yards in 12 plays to cut the deficit to 13-7 when RB Patrick Laird hit paydirt from a yard out. UCLA answered with a long TD drive to extend their lead back out to 20-7. UCLA's defense then asserted itself and Cal's offense gave away the game. Cal turned the ball over on four of their next five possessions and the bRuins made them may pay for it. The bRuins scored the final 17 points the game to put this one away up in Strawberry Canyon. UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson had a solid game completing 13 of 15 passes for 141 yards, but RB Joshua Kelley was the star of the game. The transfer form UC-Davis gained 157 yards rushing on 30 carries with three TDs. Cal RB Patrick Laird ran for 94 yards and Cal's only score in defeat.
Telling Stat: -5 Kills; Cal was a horrible -5 in the turnover department and that cost the Golden Bears any chance at a win.
Observations
...They've got to stop meeting like this; SDSU and Air Force played a game for the second straight year that was delayed over an hour by lightning. Up in Colorado Springs that weather is one thing, but in San Diego last Friday it was a surprise.
...No shows.. again; Oregon's win over Washington ended the Pac 12's chances of making the college football playoff this year. SMH.
...It ain't only the players; USC's OL and TE units make the same mistakes over and over again in the running game no matter who the personnel are on the field. That tells you it is poor coaching.
...The kid has it; If anybody wondered if there would be a new LB to fill Cameron Smith' shoes when he leaves USC, don't. Palaie Gaoteote is the real deal. Kid can hit
...Is he the new John Cooper?; Washington HC Chris Petersen has the look of it. Nine and 10 win squads that just can't win the big one.
...Memo to UofA HC Kevin Sumlin; Let Khalil Tate heal. You have backup QBs for a reason.
...This just in; Oregon fans still don't miss Willie Taggart.
...USC, a nation turns it's eyes to you; I'm getting way ahead of things here, but with Pac 12 out of the CFP, that leaves the SEC, ACC, Big Ten and Big XII drooling over the four spots. However, an undefeated Notre Dame would knock one of them out of the whole thing. So, don't be surprised if there are a whole lot of folks that become Trojan fans over Thanksgiving.
...Homecoming; Ol' Crimson, The WSU flag that's been seen at 216 straight ESPN College Gameday broadcasts is coming home. That's right, thanks to Oregon's upset over Washington, ESPN's signature pregame show will be in Pullman this week for the Oregon-Wazzu game.
...It's official; 0-6 is officially Nebraska's worst start to a season ever. The 1899 Nebraska squad went 1-7, but started the season at 0-4 before beating Drake University, 12-6.
...A now cringe-worthy memory; The last time I was in Pullman for an SC-Wazzu game, the big non-football story was that Bill Cosby was doing a show on campus that weekend. Hmmmmmmm.
...Just a rumor; There is no truth to the rumor that Glasses Ref himself, Jay Stricherz will be brought out of retirement to restore faith in Pac 12 officiating.
...They can't let it happen; Maryland may be thinking of reinstating HC D.J. Durkin, That has parents of the players scared. No way DJ
...Geaux Coach Eaux; Another big shoutout to Coach Ed Orgeron and his LSU Tigers who whipped #2 Georgia. We really miss you, Coach O.
...Memo to USC and Pat Haden; Read the above observation.
...Tarnished Bears; Cal's loss to UCLA seriously damaged their dreams of bowl eligibility. The once 3-0 Golden Bears are now 3-3 with five of their final six games coming against Washington, Washington State, USC, Stanford and Colorado. Hard to find three more wins in that slate.
...Orange and Black on the attack; It looks like Oregon State is making a serious run at raiding Nebraska's roster. Which is funny on a few levels, but Nebraska isn't laughing. Here's an article from the Oregonian where the writer is thrilled it may be happening. Beaver Raid
...Thunder and lightning, very, very frightening; A very real and rare bunch of thunderstorms rolled through Southern California last Friday. High school football games were postponed all over the southland, heavy rain fell at times and the lighting display was an epic one. It was weird getting real weather here.
...Good night, Happy Valley; and with a loss to Michigan State, Penn State has quietly disappeared from the Big Ten East race.
...Quietly making noise; With all the hubbub over Clemson's QB situation, not many have noticed that NC State is right on the Tigers' heels at 5-0.
...And then there were three; There are only three winless teams left in the FBS. Nebraska, UTEP, and San Jose State are the ugly triplets.
...He's gone; Bowling Green fired HC Mike Jinks after the Falcons dropped to 1-6 after a 42-35 loss to Western Michigan. Jinks posted a dismal 7-24 record in a little over two seasons at the helm. Jinks just couldn't translate the success he'd had on the high school level into success in college football.
...A programming note; The Mountain West Championship Game will be worth recording. I would love to see a Utah State- SDSU matchup.
Special Section: Pac 12 Shows Woodie and Embarrasses Itself
Just wondering why Pac 12 general counsel and vice president of business affairs Woodie Dixon still has a job after he intervened and overruled the trained replay officials on a targeting call in the WSU-USC game a few weeks back? He fundamentally tampered with the integrity of the game. That alone is grounds for dismissal. Fans and media have all had their issues with Pac 12/10/8/AAWU/PCC officials over the years, but nobody really thought that an employee of the league who isn't an on-field or replay official would tamper with a game. Now, not only do we have word of this happening, we have documented evidence of it occurring. This undercuts the faith that the game will be officiated by those who have been trained to officiate these games. Yes, these folks make a lot of mistakes, (We all remember Glasses Ref), but they do love this game and have worked hard to get to a major conference to call these games. This incident has shaken my faith in the game. It also begs the following questions. Did other incidents happen and other replay refs not write up the actions because they didn't want to get fired or suffer another form of reprisal from the conference? Did other plays not get reviewed that should have been because the refs felt they'd just get overruled anyway? This was a serious incident folks. The Pac 12 needs to fire Woodie Dixon... NOW!
Pac 12 Overreactions
USC is an 8-4 team.
Colorado just doesn't have the athletes to compete in the Pac 12.
California wished they had an offense.
UCLA gets better each week.
I hope Arizona might finally sit down Khalil Tate and let him heal.
There is no finesse at Utah, it's blunt, physical football.
Oregon will lose at Wazzu.
Washington will smash Colorado this week.
Ugly Uniform of the Week
Oregon, oh Oregon you win this week's award for this all Hi-liter-yellow ensemble that's just flat out ugly.
Departments
Low Score Game of the Week: Delaware, OH- This Week's game comes form the D-III ranks. WR Matt Penola caught a six-yard TD pass from QB Jake Reid with 7:34 left in the first quarter to give the Wabash College Little Giants a 7-0 lead over the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops. The Wabash defense made that score hold up the rest of the way for a 7-0 victory. The Little Giants held OWU on 4th Down four times deep in their own territory as part of their terrific defensive effort.
Blowout Game of Week: McKenzie, TN- We go to the NAIA for this week's winner. Once again this year a team put 90 points one the board. The Bethel (TN) Bearcats wiped out the Kentucky Christian Knights, 92-12. 12 different Bearcats carried the ball as they amassed 373 yards rushing on the day with QB Sam Castronova playing just one half of football in which he threw for 176 yards and three TDs. KCU converted on only 3 of 15 3rd Down conversions and missed both of their PAT's in this lopsided loss.
C.W. Post Press: Brookville, NY- It was Homecoming at Post this week and the Pioneers did not disappoint their alumni with a 37-6 win over the Saint Anselm Hawks. Post fell behind, 3-0 in the middle of the first quarter. Then they quickly regained the lead on a 44-yard TD pass form QB Chris Laviano to WR Michael Richardson and never looked back. Post held a 21-6 lead at the half and shutout the Hawks 16-0 in the second half for the easy win. Laviano finished the game with 278 yards passing and four TDs. He also ran for 69 yards as well. Up next for Post is a home date with the Pace University Setters.
Razorback Report: The Razorbacks hosted rival Ole Miss and looked to have a win looming with a 33-24 lead as the fourth quarter started. However the Hogs offense stalled while the Ole Miss offense kept rolling. the Rebels scored 13 points down the stretch to walk out of Fayetteville with a 37-33 win. The Razorbacks had no answer for Ole Miss QB Jordan Ta'amu. He threw for 387 yards and two TDs while rushing for 141 yard and another score. In the loss, QB Trevor Storey threw for 122 yards and a touchdown. Up next for Arkansas is a non-conference tilt with Tulsa.
This Week's Three Things About Nothing...
Ain't nothing as good as Mom's chicken fried steak.
Lionel Trains are still fun.
I can't remember the last time we had thunder storms here in October.
Until Next Week Folks, you can't win big games playing street ball.
-The Commissioner
