Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Week 13, 2018

Hey All,

Time for everyone to relax a bit and shake off that post Thanksgiving food coma with another edition  of Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard.  We still miss you, Keith Jackson.

Summaries

Notre Dame 24- USC 17: The smallest crowd to watch an SC-ND game since 1960 saw a USC team come from ahead to lose for yet another time this year.  Most folks thought that Notre Dame would hang at least 50 points on the Trojans in what was thought to be Clay Helton's last game on the SC sidelines. A big shock came when the Irish found themselves locked in a real game, and the bigger shock came the next day when Helton was retained as USC HC for 2019.  As for the game, it followed a typical pattern for USC.  Come out fast, take the lead.  Then waste your opportunities with needless penalties and turnovers in your opponents side of the field and take a small lead into the half. Make no adjustments at the half and watch the other team use their adjustments to come for behind and beat you.  SC forged a 10-0 lead on a 29-yard TD run from Vavae Malepeai and a 30-yard FG from PK Michael Brown. Then USC racked up needles penalties, three from Center Toa Lobendahn alone which included one of his signature moves, a snap infraction that makes everyone get a false start. USC also turned the ball over in Irish territory when WR Michael Pittman fumbled at the ND 43 and Amon Ra St. Brown fumbled at the ND 29 to kill off a pair of drives.  USC could have been up 24-0 at half, but no, 10-7 is what the score was at the break.  Then came the second half collapse where Notre Dame's HC Brian Kelly made real adjustments which led to 17 straight Irish points and control of the game. USC got a late TD for a backdoor cover and Notre Dame walked out of the Coliseum with a 12-0 record.  QB Ian Book threw for 352 yards and a pair of scores for ND while Daniels threw for 349 yards and a one touchdown for the Trojans.
Telling Stat: Staying in the game;  After giving up 10 points to USC, the Notre Dame defense kept the Trojans in check allowing only seven more points after the game had been put out of reach.

Washington 28- Washington State 15: The snow fell hard in Pullman.  So did the Cougars Pac 12 title and CFP hopes as the Huskies whipped the Cougars for the seventh straight time.  The Huskies found their footing in the near blizzard-like conditions while the Cougars never could get untracked.  The Dawgs defense held WSU QB Gardner Minshew II to just 152 yards passing with no touchdowns and two interceptions.  Meanwhile, the Huskies found plenty of offense.  RB Myles Gaskin ran for 170 yards on 27 carries with three TDs.  His last run was an 80-yard jaunt through the snow that proved to be the back-breaker for the Cougs.  UW QB Jake Browning is now 4-0 as a starter in the Apple Cup after completing 11 of 14 passes for 207 yards in the heavy snow.
Telling Stat: 8:30 to Santa Clara; With 8:30 left in the game. Washington got the ball back on their own 17-yard line after a WSU punt. The Huskies ran the ball 14 straight times to run out the clock. Then final play of the game was a Jake Browning's kneel down at the WSU seven-yard line.

Oregon 55- Oregon State 15: The Ducks jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and never took their foot off the gas pedal against the Beavers in Corvallis. The Quacks ran over, around, and thought the hapless OSU defense. The RB combination of Travis Dye and C.J. Verdell were flat our unstoppable. Dye rushed for 199 yards on 33 carries with two TDs while Verdell gained 187 yards on 23 carries with four trips to hallelujah land. With the rushing game taking care of business, webfoot QB Justin Herbert only threw 12 passes all day. He connected on nine of those passes for 102 yards and one TD.  For the overwhelmed Beavers, QB Jake Luton threw for 282 yards and two TDs in the lopsided loss.
Telling Stat: 14 yards;  Oregon came within 14 yards of having two RBs each rush for 200 yards against the porous Beavers in this year's edition of the Civil War.

Utah 35- BYU 27: The Pac 12 South champs were in trouble.  BYU held a 20-0 lead over the Utes at the half and still held a 27-7 lead with 5:28 left in the third quarter.  It looked like Utah's offense with backups at QB and RB was silenced and that the Cougars would easily win this year's edition of the Holy War.  Utah then got off the deck and pulled off their best comeback of the year to send BYU back to Provo with broken hearts.  The Utes would score on their next three drives to take a 28-27 lead with 3:02 to play.  The scores came on a TD pass by QB Jason Shelley and two TD runs by RB Armand Shyne. BYU, now with their backs against the wall, went for a 4th and 1 from their own 34-yard line. The Utah defense stuffed the Cougars and then went up by eight points on the very next play when Shelley ran 33-yards for a TD. Utes fans could finally breathe easy when BYU's final fourth down play came up a yard short of a first down at the Cougar 45-yard line.  Cougar QB Zach Wilson led all players in rushing and passing with 204 yards and two TDs through the air to go with 73 yards on the ground. Shelley led the Utah attack with 141 yard passing and a TD to go with 61 yards on the ground and a another score.
Telling Stat: 223/28 >37/0;  In the final 20:58 of the game, Utah outgained BYU 223 yards to 37 and shutout the Cougars 28-0 in that stretch to get a great comeback win over their bitter rivals from Provo.

Stanford 49- UCLA 42: The several hundred fans that attended this game at Rose Bowl were treated to a shootout with the Cardinal outlasting the bRuins to grab the win.  Stanford was led by QB K.J. Costello who competed 23 of 37 tosses for 344 and five TDs.  His favorite targets were WRs J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Trent Irwin who each hauled in seven passes from Costello and gained over 100 yards. Arecega-Whiteside caught three TD Passes while Irwin crossed the double stripe once. For UCLA QB Wilton Speight torched the Cardinal defense for 466 yards, but all of UCLA's TDs came via the run.  Speight ran for a score while RB Joshua Kelley ran for a pair of TDs.  The bRuins seemed to have taken control of the game when they stunned the Cardinal by nailing RB Bryce Love for a safety then returning the ensuing kickoff for a TD.  Then a TD run by Speight then gave UCLA a 42-41 lead with 9:27 to play.  A little over a minute later, Stanford took the lead again for good with a 52-yard TD pass form Costello to Osiris St. Brown and a two-point conversion run for Love.  The Cardinal defense shutdown UCLA over the last 8:19 to get out of Pasadena with a win.
Telling Stat: When they needed it;  The Stanford defense stopped the bRuins cold over the final 8:19 of the game, forcing a missed field goal, and holding for downs twice to send UCLA down to their ninth loss of the season.

Arizona State 41- Arizona 40: It was a chippy, nasty game played in an electric atmosphere in Tucson. Members of UofA's defensive line and some Sun Devils almost had a brawl over an hour before the game started and the chippy play continued all game long.  UofA held a 40-21 lead as the fourth quarter started thanks mostly to the arm and legs of QB Khalil Tate who had thrown for three TD passes. ASU then mounted a comeback that will be long remembered int his rivalry. SU went on a 20-0 run to end the game.  A pair of field goals and a TD pass from QB Manny Wilkins and a TD run from RB Eno Benjamin accounted for the points while the ASU defense forced two UofA turnovers and a punt to set up the surge.  However, the Wildcats did have one last drive in them and moved 54 yards in 15 plays to set up a shot at game wining field goal. However, PK Josh Pollack's 45-yard attempt sailed wide right and ASU had pulled off the stunning comeback.  Khalil Tate finished the game with 282 yards passing and three TDs while ASU's Wilkins threw for 265 yards and a score to go with 57 on the ground and another TD.  Benjamin only rushed for 80 yards, but he find paydirt three times for ASU.
Telling Stat: A comeback has help;  While ASU did make an amazing comeback, UofA sure helped with two bad turnovers in their own territory and just some head scratching play calling down the stretch.

California  33- Colorado 21: With Cal's offensive struggles grabbing most of the attention of Golden Bears fans, the Cal defense decided to take matters into their own hands. On the Buffs opening possession, Cal DB Elijah Hicks picked off CU QB Steven Montez and took it back 34 yards to the house to give Cal a 7-0 lead.  Then, Hicks' teammate DB Ashtyn Davis took one back 35 yards for another TD on CU's second drive to give the Golden Bears a 14-0 lead before their offense ever saw the field.  Cal's offense never found their rhythm over the next two quarters putting up just 13 points and clinging to a 27-21 lead as the fourth period began.  Cal drove deep into Colorado territory to start the final period and looked like they would have had to settle for a field goal when QB Chase Barbers was forced out of bounds.  However, the much maligned CU defense hit Garbers out of bounds and the ensuing penalty set up Cal's final touchdown. Garbers found WR Maurice Ways from seven yards out to put the game away for the boys from Berkeley.  Garbers managed to throw for only 116 yards in the game, but did throw two TD passes.  Montez threw for 170 yards and a pair of TDs and three interceptions in the loss.
Telling Stat: 2 in 1:56= W;  Cal's two pick sixes in the first 1:56 of the game provided just enough cushion to let the Golden Bears reach the seven win plateau for the first time since 2015. 

Cranberry Crushers 35- Tough Turkeys 28:  Margaret Lenker's long reach was enough to break the plane of the goal and lift the Crushers to a hard fought victory.  A J.T. Daniels-like interception from Turkeys QB Lee Ursich set the Crushers up for the winning touchdown. At one point the Turkeys did hold a 28-21 lead only to collapse down the stretch.

Cranberry Crushers 63- Tough Turkeys 42:  In the second game of the first ever Thanksgiving double header held at Yube Ursich Field, the Crushers worked over the Turkeys thanks to the elusive running and strong pass defense of Robert Weissler. Weissler took the field in place of Luci Ursich who guided the Crushers to their win in the first game.  The Turkeys turnover woes from the first game haunted them in the second game also.  In the post game press conference, USC HC Clay Helton praised Maureen Lenker of the Turkeys saying she "Came out with her jaw set and she played like a warrior."

Observations

...Just a rumor; There is no truth to the rumor that Mike Leach's new nickname from Husky fans is "The John Cooper of the Northwest."

...A familiar failure; The 3-7 Jaguars fired Nathaniel Hackett as their OC today.  Paul Hackett's kid is definitely following in his father's footsteps.

...You play with 11;  On two special teams plays, USC only had 10 men on the field v. Notre Dame. SMH.

...Undefeated and unimpressive; Notre Dame is one weak looking playoff team.

...An ugly number; Michigan is just 3-15 v. Ohio State this century. The folks in Ann Arbor must wonder if they will ever beat the Buckeyes again.

...Fun to be Herm;  ASU HC Herm Edwards has had a pretty good first year in Tempe. His Sun Devils came within a game of the Pac 12 South title, knocked their rival out of a bowl game and kept the Territorial Cup too.

...Feeling Golden;  The Paul Bunyan Axe will now reside at Minnesota for the first time in 15 years after the Golden Gophers whipped Wisconsin, 37-15.  Ski-U-Mah!

...Memo to Lynn Swann;  When announcing the retention of your head coach causes celebrations to spontaneously breakout in the rest of the Pac 12, you've made a serious mistake.

...Classy Cougs;  After one of the busses carrying Washington band members overturned on the way to Pullman last week, the UW Band did not attend the game.  However, the WSU band played the UW's fight song at the game and kept their section of seats for the game empty and roped off as a measure of respect for their rival.

...355;  The Oklahoma-West Virginia game ended in regulation and produced 355 more yards offense than the LSU-Texas A&M game did that ended in seven overtimes. Hmmmmm.

...Jarring thought;  Lynn Swann's decision to not fire Clay Helton might make Pat Haden's decision to keep Kevin O'Neill around for one more year as the hoops coach look good.

...Just a rumor;  There is no truth to the rumor that bets are already being taken on when USC HC Clay Helton gets fired next season.

...Best team in Arkansas; Ouachita Baptist is 12-0 and has advanced to the third round of the D-II playoffs.

...A fight after seven OT;  A crazy brawl erupted after the LSU-Texas A&M game.  It involved LSU's directors player development Kevin Faulk and an Aggie sideline pass holder named Fisher.
A tough fight extended

...Just a thought;  Maybe if the Arizona defense had not wasted all it's extra energy on cheap shots and talking smack,, they might have held on to their 19 point lead in the fourth quarter.

...Net Zero; Stanford RB Bryce Love was tackled for a safety and scored on a two-point conversion v. UCLA.

...A personal foul for everyone; The Ole Miss-Mississippi State game erupted in a brawl on Thanksgiving and the officials handed out personal fouls to everyone on both teams.  Wow.
Egg Brawl

...Cold, wet and unhappy;  Ed Oregon may be the first coach ever to receive a Gatorade shower and watch his team lose the game.

...Five in the league; With the Redskins singing Mark Sanchez last week, five USC QBs are currently on NFL rosters. Sanchez joins Sam Darnold, Cody Kessler, Matt Barkley, and Matt Cassel in the league.

Special Section: Lynn Swann: The Tone Deaf Figurehead

Lynn Swann, USC's unqualified AD, pulled the biggest Tammy Wynette since well, Tammy Wynette when he decided that HC Clay Helton would return for the 2019 season after the embarrassment that was the 2018 campaign.  In his letter to the Trojan Family of 11/25, one sentence sticks out as a particularly troubling.   "We acknowledge and understand our deficiencies in areas that include culture, discipline, schemes, personnel and staff."  Doesn't that basically say the program is failing in almost all areas?  Doesn't that kind of universal failure mean that the HC should be fired? If that's the case, then why is Helton being retained?   Another quote later on shows just how tone deaf this letter to us all truly is.  "I have heard from many in the Trojan fan base.  Some will be happy that Coach Helton remains our coach, others will not."  Besides Swann, who else is happy that Helton is returning? Nobody I know in the Trojan Family wants him back except for Swann and some of his toadies at Heritage Hall.  You know who really loves Helton's return?  Everyone else in the Pac 12 from Pullman to Tucson and a bunch of folks in South Bend. Helton wasn't Swann's hire. Helton is a last kick to the groin to the fan base from Max Nikias and Pat Haden.  However, Swann now owns it. Helton is his man, but the pain from this epically poor decision will be felt by us all.
Swann gives SC fans the bird

Pac 12 Overreactions

9 out of the 11 other members of the Pac 12 schools are ecstatic that USC HC Clay Helton will return for 2019.

Oregon State and Washington State are both unhappy that Clay Helton has been retained by USC.  Neither one faces off against the Trojans next year.


Special Section: Good Bye, Tunnel 19

The picture here is of just some empty seats.  The seats are in Tunnel 19, Row 40, Seats 1-6 of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.  I have been lucky enough to spend 45 years watching USC Trojan football.  I have had the pleasure of sitting in seat 1 for 38 of those years. These seats are family to me because my family has been through so much in them.  In that time span, everyone from my mom and dad to my sisters, brother in-laws, cousins and friends have sat here.  The most recent addition to that list was my wife who has now shared the ups and downs of Trojans football here. Now, we have  to move next year to another tunnel. The Coliseum renovation and subsequent extremely high price hike has forced our move.  I've gone form an 11-year old kid to a 49-year old stepfather of two here. Yes, my stepson sat here too. So long, Tunnel 19, I hope the next folks to occupy these seats have nearly as much fun as we did all these years.



Ugly Uniform of the Week

This week's winner is the San Diego Chargers for this awful all-blue ensemble


CFL Update

The Grey Cup wears spurs.  The Calgary Stampeders defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 27-16 to win the 106th Grey Cup game. QB Bo Levi Mitchell was named the game's Most Outstanding Player with his two TDs passes on the very slippery Commonwealth Stadium turf in Edmonton. The win avenges the Stampeders upset at the hands of the Redblacks in 2016. I'm sure the Cup will have its' own booth at the Calgary Stampede.  Go Stamps!




Departments

Low Score Game of the Week: Cedar Falls, IA- In the first round of he FCS Playoffs, Northern Iowa got three field goals from PK Austin Errthum. His final one was a 35-yarder with 13:09 left in the game to beat LaMar, 16-13. The Purple Panthers will now take a trip to California to take on the UC-Davis Aggies who had a first round bye.

Blowout Game of the Week: Belton, TX-  The Crusaders of Mary Hardin-Baylor destroyed the Berry Colllege Vikings, 75-9 in the second round of the D-III playoffs. The Crusaders ran for 354 yards on the Vikings with RB Markeith Miller leading all rushers with 118 yards and three TDs on 11 carries. The Crusaders will host powerful St. John's (MN) next week.

Razorback Report:  The Hogs finished a poor season with a 38-0 pasting at the hands of Missouri.  The Razorbacks finish the season at 2-10.

This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...

If Trader Joe's sold toilet paper, I'm sure they'd make it a seasonal item.

The Thanksgiving food detox is always rough.

My sister Liza makes great jam, her plum jam is my favorite.

Until next week folks, remember that an unqualified athletic director can kill your football program.
-The Commissioner

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Week 12, 2018

Hey All,

Here's the column that helps make the season a little better, Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard.  We still miss you, Tom Kelly.

Summaries

UCLA 34- USC 27: The Trojans stumbled into this game after an abysmal showing at home v. Cal the previous week. The Trojans should have easily whipped a UCLA squad that limped into this game at 2-8 with only 57 scholarship players.  However, among a smattering of fans at the Rose Bowl, Clueless Clay Helton's squad stumbled and bumbled their way to an embarrassing loss while creating a bRuin folk hero in the process.  The stumbling and bumbling came courtesy of the USC O-line that couldn't find a way to run the ball on a UCLA team that came into the game ranked 113th in the FBS in rushing defense.  This poor performance was aided by a few more bad snaps and missed blocks by center Toa Lobendahn.  QB JT Daniels also had his hand in the offensive woes by locking into one receiver on pass plays and throwing two horrendous interceptions. Meanwhile, USC's defense created a bRuin folk hero in RB Josh Kelley.  The D-line being manhandled all game long combined with a lack of adjustments by DC Clancy Pendergast led to the UC Davis transfer setting the all-time rivalry record with 289 yards rushing on 40 carries.  Kelley also scored two touchdowns. His second one proved to be the game winner.
Telling Stat: 13-0;  UCLA took control of this game and outscored USC 13-0 in the final period to take the Victory Bell over to Westwood.

Washington State 69- Arizona 28: Many believed that a healthy Khalil Tate could lead the Wildcats to an upset of the Cougars in the Palouse. Then the game started.  The Cougs hung a quick double nickel on Arizona and took a 55-14 lead into the half. UofA tried to mount a comeback, but Wazzu easily matched their second half efforts and emptied the benches in this laugher.  QB Gardner Minshew II torched the Wildcats, completing 43 of 55 passes for 473 yards and seven TDs.  The seven TDs are a new Wazzu record for TD passes in a game. For the outclassed Wildcats, QB Khalil Tate threw for 294 yards and four TDs.
Telling Stat: 7 for 8 is great in the Palouse;  Wazzu absolutely torched the Arizona secondary, scoring TDs on seven of their eight first half drives to grab the easy W and set up their showdown with Washington for the Pac 12 North title this week.

Utah 30- Colorado 7: Utah had the 12:30 PM start in the snow of Colorado and they needed to win this game to have shot at being the Pac 12 South champions.  Things didn't look so good forth Utes with the score tied 7-7 at the half.  The Utah offense had sputtered against the soft Colorado defense who had a real shot of upsetting their neighbors.  Utah's offense then came out firing in the third quarter and the Buffs upset chances fell by the wayside.  The Utes scored 17 points on a 33-yard field goal by PK Matt Gay, a 47-yard TD pass from QB Jason Shelley and a 1-yard TD plunge by RB Armand Shyne to take a stranglehold on the game at 24-7 to start the final period. The Utah defense continued to render the Colorado offense inert for the rest of second half as Gay tacked on two more field goals to give Utah their final points in a 30-7 win. Shelley completed only 11 of 23 passes, but he did throw for two TDs and 221 yards.  Meanwhile RB Trevor McMillian ran for 41 yards and CU's only score in the loss.
Telling Stat: Second half shutdown; Utah's tough defense held Colorado to a paltry four total yards in the third quarter. That enabled the Utes offense to put the game away.  Colorado finished the half with 76 total yards, with 72 of those yards coming after the game was decided.  

Oregon 31- Arizona State 29: ASU entered this game knowing that despite Utah winning earlier in the day that they had control over their own destiny. Win their final two games and they would win the Pac 12 South.  However, the Sun Devils never found their way in a tough loss on Senior Night in Eugene.  The Sun Devils faced a 28-13 halftime deficit due to having to settle for field goals on two drives deep into Oregon territory while Quack QB Justin Herbert and RBs C.J. Verdell and Jaylon Redd accounted for four TDs.  ASU's defense found some life in the second half and shutdown the Ducks, allowing just three points in the final 30 minutes, but the ASU offense just couldn't make the comeback.  With 4:35 to play QB Manny Wilkins found the Oregon end zone form a yard out to pull the boys from Tempe within two points.  However, the two point conversion failed when WR Frank Darby failed to come down in bounds with a pass from Wilkins. Despite concerns form ASU coaches and fans, Darby's toe was on the end line by just a hair and was ruled correctly to be out of bounds. ASU still had one last shot to win the game when they picked off Herbert with 3:47 to play. The Sun Devils division title hope then died when Wilkins fumbled while being sacked and the Ducks recovered to seal the win.  For UO, Herbert totaled 262 yards passing with a pair of TDs and a pair of interceptions.  In the loss, Wilkins threw for 182 yards and two TDs while also running for a score.  RB Eno Benjamin toted the rock 29 times for 149 to lead all rushers.
Telling Stat: ;  The didn't make 'em pay. Arizona State forced four Oregon turnovers, but only scored 10 point off those turnovers. That just wasn't enough to get a big W on the road. 

Washington 42- Oregon State 23: It was Senior Day in Seattle and the Huskies didn't disappoint the home crowd in a thrashing of the Beavers.  The Dawgs raced out to a 28-3 lead in the first quarter thanks to a two TD passes from QB Jake Browning and a pair of TD runs by RB Salvon Ahmed.  The Dawgs defense held the Beavers at bay while the offense safely kept the game out of reach.  The Dawgs emptied the bench with a 42-16 lead in the final period and got some early rest for their trip to Pullman and the battle for the Apple Cup next week.  Browning threw for 135 yards and three TDs while the RB Combo of Ahmed and Myles Gaskin combined to pound the Beavers for 211 yards and three TDs on 27 carries. RB Jermar Jefferson ran for 115 yards on 19 carries in the defeat for OSU.
Telling Stat: They got off the field; Washington held Oregon State to just 2 of 14 on 3rd down conversions and that kept the Beavers from mounting a serious threat in this game. 

Observations

...Titles in the air;  All around me here are teams playing for titles.  Just up the hill Palos Verdes High School is playing in the CIF Southern Section Division 5 title game, while rival Peninsula High is playing in the division 11 title tilt.  Throw in Narbonne who is playing for the LA City title and San Pedro who is playing for the LA City's second tier title game and that is a lot of good football being played win this area.

...From the Not where I live department; Fans were warned to not throw snowballs on the field in the Utah-Colorado game.  Snow(ball) Day

...On, Brave old Army team;  The Black Knights of the Hudson are ranked #23 in the AP Poll, the first time they have cracked the top 25 since 1996.

...The law won; Watch this ref take out West Virginia RB Kennedy McCoy. Forearm Shiver

...He's gone;  After early reports of his coming firing surfaced last week, Colorado made it official and fired HC Mike MacIntyre on Sunday.  MacIntyre will not coach the Buffs in their final game of the year at Cal.

...Not lively place;  People love to to talk about how Nebraska has been sold out for every home game since 1962 and what passion that shows.  I think it shows that there is nothing else to do in Nebraska.

...3 for 60;  USC has scored a grand total of three points in the second half of their last two games. SMH.

...Go for it!;  That has to be Army's motto this year.  The Cadets gone for it on fourth down 33 times this season and have converted 30 of those attempts. Wow.

...A game that shook the Big Ten;  This Saturday when Michigan takes on the Buckeyes in Columbus, it will mark the 45th anniversary of the infamous 10-10 tie between Woody's Buckeyes and Bo's Wolverines that left the decision of who would represent the Big Ten in the 1974 Rose Bowl in the hands of the league's Athletic Directors. The result of the vote would alter the Big Ten forever.  Here's a great documentary on that 1973 game. Tiebreaker

...The kid is good;  Oregon State freshman RB Jermar Jefferson is my the Pac 12 Freshman of the Year. The kid is nails.

...Kansas is a no bull zone;  Texas mascot Bevo will not be in Lawrence this week as the Longhorns take on the Jayhawks due to a "no live mascot" policy by the KU administration. It will be only the second time in 73 years that Bevo won't be on the Texas sideline for a Thanksgiving week game.

...WWLeach; Had to love the press conference this past week where WSU HC Mike Leach breaks down who would win a WWE style Battle Royale of the Pac 12 head coaches.  PAC12 Throwdown

...Pennsy Rumor; Various media outlets are reporting that Penn State HC James Franklin is being talked to about taking the USC job if/when Clay Helton is fired.  Two reactions here... One, I think this is a posturing move by Franklin's agent for more cash and raises for Franklin and his assistants. Two, why would I want to hire a coach to that was beaten by Clay Helton?  SMH.

...A sobering thought; The best Trojan to play in the Coliseum this year is Rams WR Robert Woods.

...For all the mountain marbles;  Utah State square off at Boise State this week where the winner will claim the Mountain division and face West Division winner Fresno State in the MWC title game.

...Paying more for Les; Kansas has inked former LSU HC Les Miles to a five-year deal that will pay him $2.775 million per year.  Will he have the same schematic advantage as Charile Weis? Just askin'.

...An ancient eight classic; 50 years ago this week was maybe the greatest game in Ivy League history  when Harvard came back from the dead to tie Yale, 29-29.  The Harvard Crimson newspaper put it so well, so long ago in this headline... Harvard beats Yale 29-29  

...Leachfeld;  WSU HC Mike Leach shows folks his inner George Costanza with this painting in his office. Only in Pullman

...1960;  USC's 34-27 loss to UCLA marked the first time in 58 years that a Trojan squad had dropped a game to an eight loss team. That eight loss team in 1960 was Notre Dame.  The Trojans were shutout, 17-0 by a quite forgettable ND bunch.

...A striped crown;  Princeton is your Ivy League champ for 2018.  The Tigers finished the season at 10-0 with an offense that averaged 47 points and 537 yards per game.  Not bad for a bunch of future stock brokers. Oh, and Princeton's Ivy prowess sparked this jab form SB Nation. "149 Years Later, Princeton is still better at football than Rutgers."

...Buck-dogs;  TheeeOSU is a 3.5 point home underdog against Michigan this week.  The Buckeyes had been the favorite in their previous 51 games.

...Palouse pastings; In their last two trips to Washington State, Arizona has given up 138 points and 1,219 yards of offense to the Cougars.  OUCH!

...An Ex-49er;  Charlotte has fired HC Brad Lambert.  His record was a dismal 21-48, but he was the only coach this program had ever had. He oversaw the team from program inception to now.

...Do it right;  USC needs a real university president, a real AD with actual experience in running an athletic department and a HC that values tough, physical football. Until that occurs, the Trojans will be a joke in the Pac 12 and the nation.

CFL Update

The Calgary Stampeders will take on the Ottawa Redblacks in the 106th Grey Cup this week.  Ottawa whipped HC June Jones' Hamilton squad 46-27 to advance, while the Stampeders held off a determined bunch of Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 22-14 to make their fifth appearance in the Grey Cup in the last six years. The Grey Cup will be played this coming Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.  Game time weather is forecasted to be 23 degrees with a 10% chance of snow.

The Championship Chase

Here's how the Power Five conference races look going into the final week before the conference title games.

ACC
It will Pittsburgh v. Clemson in the ACC title game.  Both squads have clinched their division races.

Big Ten
Northwestern is the Big 10 West Champion and will face the winner of the Michigan-Ohio State game for the league title in two weeks.

Big XII
If Texas beats Kansas, the Longhorns make the title game.  Whoever wins the Oklahoma-West Virginia game will go to the title game and the loser will go home, unless Texas loses to Kansas.  If that happens then a three-way tie-breaker scenario between West Virginia, Texas and Iowa State could occur. That would be a mess.

Pac 12
Utah clinched the South division when ASU lost to Oregon.  The Utes will face the winner of Washington-Washington State game for the league title.

SEC
Alabama and Georgia clinched their divisions awhile ago and will face off for the league crown in two weeks.

Ugly Uniform of the Week

Gotta go with the LA Rams here. For the love of all things good with football, I want the Rams to please stop dressing their very good team in a lousy uniform.  This all-gold color rush uniform makes me wish black and white TV would make a comeback.





































Pac 12 Things to be Thankful For

USC Fans hope to be thankful for Clay Helton's firing next Sunday.
UCLA is thankful for Clay Helton.
Arizona is thankful they don't have to play at Wazzu next year.
ASU is thankful for Herm Edwards.
Oregon is thankful that Willie Taggart left.
Oregon State is thankful the season is almost over.
Wazzu is thankful that Mike Leach didn't take the ASU job a few years ago.
Washington's just thankful that Jake Browning's career is almost over.
Utah is thankful for Clay Helton.
Colorado is thankful for ski season.
Stanford is thankful for a road game.
California is thankful for Clay Helton.

Departments

Low Score Game of the Week: Helena, MT- We go to the NAIA for this week's winner.  The Mountaineers of Eastern Oregon University got a safety off a blocked punt and two field goals to beat the Carroll College (MT) Fighting Saints, 8-7.  The game winning kick was a 49-yarder form PK Nathan Harden with 4:59 left.  EOU won despite being outgained by nearly 150 yards in the contest.

Blowout Game of the Week: Collegeville, MN- This week's blowout comes form the first round of the D-III playoffs.  The Johnnies of St. John's (MN) wiped out the Martin Luther Knights, 84-6.  If there ever was game that was over early it was this one.  St. John's QB Jackson Erdman threw five TD passes to to help give the Johnnies a 42-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.  That's not a typo, SJU held a 42-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.  Erdman played a few minutes more and finished the game with 289 yard passing and six TDs.  SJU ran up 717 yards of offense and 32 first down in this epic beatdown. St. John's moves on to play Whitworth who spanked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the first round, 48-6.

C.W. Post Press: Brookeville, NY- Slippery Rock held the Pioneers to just 10 yards rushing in a 20-14 upset win to knock the Pioneers out of the D-II playoffs.  Post's last chance to extend their season died when QB Chris Laviano's 4th down pass fell incomplete at the Slippery Rock 32-yard line with 45 seconds left.  Slippery Rock controlled the tempo and the game with a strong rushing attack that help them build a 17-6 halftime edge.  RB Wes Hills was the star for SLU gaining 168 yards on 33 carries with a touchdown.  Laviano threw for 333 yards, a TD and two interceptions in the loss. Post finishes the year at 10-1 while Slippery Rock will take on New Haven who upset West Chester, 35-28 to reach the second round.

Razorback Report: Arkansas got whipped at Mississippi State, 52-6 and will try to end the season on a high note at Missouri this week.

This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...

I never really knew that couch tables existed until this week.

Everything has gone form Pumpkin Spice to Peppermint this week.

Fritos are so bad, yet so good.

Until next week folks, half-time adjustments are the most critical thing a coach can do to win on gameday.

-The Commissioner

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Week 11, 2018

Hey All,

It's time once agin for the column that makes you happy it's Tuesday, Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard. We still miss you, Jim Murray.

Summaries

California 15- USC 14: Halftime came and USC held a tenuous 14-0 lead over California.  The 14-0 lead should have been at least 24-0, but a poor decision to run a fake field goal where their slow PK in a knee brace has to beat a cornerback for a first down and a fumble by a true freshman in the shadow of the Golden Bears goal line made sure that didn't happen.  However, there was reason to be encouraged because the USC defense held Cal to just 69 first half yards and allowed them nowhere near the end zone. So, how bad could the second half be?  Pretty bad.  Cal made halftime adjustments and USC didn't.  The Trojans aided the Golden Bears comeback too.  First, it started when Toa Lobendahn, USC's center who has never learned to snap the ball, sent one flying high and deep into the Coliseum night.  USC QB J.T Daniels covered the ball in his own end zone for a Cal safety.  The Golden Bears then hit paydirt on the ensuing drive and USC's 14-0 lead was cut to 14-9 a little over two minutes into the second half. Daniels then threw an interception on USC's next drive.  Cal had all the momentum now and drove easily for the game-winning touchdown.  QB Chase Garbers had the honors with a 5-yard TD scamper. USC never recovered.  Cal's shut USC down the rest of the way while the USC defense, which had played tough, gave away the Trojans last chance for a comeback when CB Man Marshall got flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty during a play review. Cal ran out the clock and chants of "Fire Helton" followed USC HC Clay Helton up the tunnel.
Telling Stat: Deuces wild;  Two boneheaded mistakes by two players, that led to two Cal TDs and a safety coupled with two turnovers led to the Trojans now two-game losing streak at the Coliseum.  

Stanford 48- Oregon State 17: Everyone knows just how awful the OSU run defense is and how that plays into Stanford's strength as a run first, run almost always team.  So naturally, Stanford passed their way to victory.  QB K.J. Costello compared 23 of 33 passes for 342 yards and four TDs.  All four of those TDs were caught by TE Colby Parkinson.  Parkinson hauled in six passes from Costello for 166 yards and those four TDs.  Parkinson and WR Trent Irwin picked up the slack for WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside who missed the game due to injury. The Cardinal ran the ball well too.  RB Bryce Love rushed for 90 yards on 11 carries and a TD and RB Cameron Scarlett helped the Cardinal cause with 49 yards and a TD. For Oregon State, QB Jake Luton thew for 205 yards and a TD while frosh RB Jermar Jefferson continued to impress folks with 109 yards on 19 carries.
Telling Stat: 7 of 9 is fine; Stanford found the end zone on seven of their first nine drives with turned this contest into a laugher up on The Farm.

Utah 32- Oregon 25: They Utes didn't have their top QB or their top RB, but they did have their defense and an All-American PK which turned out to be enough to beat the Ducks. PK Matt Gay nailed six, yes six field goals to go with a pair of TD runs by QB Jason Shelley to provide all the offense Utah would need.   However, it did look like Oregon would win this game after overcoming a 19-7 deficit to take a 25-22 lead when QB Justin Herbert connected with WR Travis Dye for a three yard TD that followed a blocked punt with just 8:15 to play .  Utah found an answer and scored the game's final 10 points to take one more big step towards locking up their first Pac 12 title game appearance. Shelley finished the game for Utah with 262 yard passing, 22 rushing and two TDs while RB Armand Shyne carried the mail for the Utes, gaining 174 yards on 26 carries.  For Oregon, Herbert threw for 288 yards and three TDs.
Telling Stat: A six pack in Salt Lake;  PK Matt Gay saved Utah's season with his six field goal performance.  His kicks covered 20, 21, 24, 35, 41, and 55 yards.  

Washington State 31- Colorado 7: Wazzu hit the road for their final road trip of the season and they ground out a win over the Buffaloes in Boulder. The game set up well for the Cougars as their pass happy attack looked to have a good day against the hapless Colorado secondary.  QB Gardner Minshew II had a good game.  He completed 35 of 58 passes for 335 yard and a pair of TDs.  He also ran for a score.  Minshew also spread the ball around again too. 12 different Cougars hauled in passes. CU thought they'd have a good shot at beating Wazzu with WR Laviska Shanault, Jr. back in the lineup.  He did catch 10 balls for 102 yards, but the Buffs didn't show any other signs of life all day.
Telling Stat: Cougar clampdown;  Wazzu smothered the Colorado into submission.  They allowed a first quarter TD, then forced five punts and three turnovers on eight of the Buffaloes final nine possessions.

Arizona State 31- UCLA 28: It was a second straight day game and third straight win for the Sun Devils. This game was a see-saw affair with QB Wilton Speight lighting up the ASU secondary while the combo of QB Manny Wilkins and RB Eno Benjamin tore up the bRuins. Speight torched the ASU secondary for 335 yards and a two TDs. His favorite target was TE Caleb Wilson who hauled in 11 passes for 164 yards and both of his TD tosses.  For ASU, Wilkins threw for 199 yards and TD while rushing for 60 yards and two more scores. RB Eno Benjamin had a big day again the bRuins defense with 182 yards rushing on 34 carries and a touchdown.  UCLA had a shot to win this game at the end, but the Sun Devils held for downs to end the game and stay alive in the Pac 12 South race.
Telling Stat: Four downs; The only thing that kept this game in the win column for ASU was the final stand by their defense.  This easily could have been a UCLA victory.

Observations

...All about those incentive clauses;  Word is that Cal HC Justin Wilcox is in line to earn a $200,000 bonus for ending Cal's 14-year losing steak to USC.  Only caveat is the Trojans have to finish with at least six wins for it to kick in for Wilcox. So we know Clay Helton has one fan this week.

...A fab four;  Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Northwestern have all clinched spots in their conference title games.  Wow.

...Bay area goose eggs;  Both Stanford and Cal shut their opponents out in the second half last Saturday.

...Get off my lawn old man/fan rant;  Homecoming crowds bug me. Most of these people don't know game etiquette.  They make a ton of trips in and out of the stands and have the temerity to want to enter the row during a play!  Maybe there should be a stay-homecoming for these folks.

...Destroyed by a favorite son;  Pat Haden has done more to ruin USC football in his brief tenure as AD than anyone could imagine.  From Sark to Clay to the botched Coliseum renovation to capitulating to the NCAA, his actions have put the program in the ditch.

...Really off field;  Utah RB Zach Moss didn't sustain the knee injury that ended his season at practice last week as was first reported.  He tore his meniscus getting into bed.  Here's the story. Good Night, Zach

...Why it's called gambling and not winning;  LSU held on for a 24-17 win over Arkansas.  The spread was LSU -13 and the Tigers let the clock run out with the ball on the Arkansas 1-yard line to end the game. OUCH!

...Quietly making noise;  Army is 8-2. That's pretty cool.

...Just ask USA Soccer;  The NFL is thinking of moving its' game Monday night between try Chiefs and Rams out of Mexico City after seeing just how poor the turf is at Azteca Stadium. Personally, even if the field is great, I wouldn't want to play a game in legendarily bad smog at an altitude of 7,382 feet.

...Not even Uecker seats; A shift of gears to the NBA as the Golden State Warriors are offering $100 dollar monthly passes with no view.  Yes, no view of the court.  The pass just gets you in the building.  You can read about this bit of ridiculousness here. Just Bar Privileges

...No fresh air;  Due to the massive wildfires in California, the Stanford and USC games last week were played with an air quality reading of over 150.  That's bad, really really bad.  How bad?  The normal air quality index reading for Palo Alto and Los Angeles hovers around 50 and that is considered moderately unhealthful.

...He's gone;  Louisville sent Bob Petrino packing Sunday after his Cardinal were whipped by Syracuse last Saturday.

...Time for a title;  The NCAA D-III Playoffs this week.  Only Whitworth and Claremont-Mudd made the postseason from the far west.  Division III Playoff Bracket

...Is he gone?; One Colorado news outlet has reported that Buffs HC Mike MacIntyre will be fired when the season ends.

..Dialing a big number;  Oregon State RB Jermar Jefferson has 1,201 yards rushing this season. That's over 400 yards more than any freshman in the nation.  Not bad for a kid from Narbonne High.

...A much needed field trip;  In addition to all the major things such as their homes and possessions and some loved ones, the Paradise (CA) High football team lost their shot at a championship too.  To help ease the pain just bit for the team, The San Francisco 49ers hosted them and their cheerleaders at Levi's Stadium Monday night.  A small kindness

...And then there were none;  Pardon me for failing to catch this two weeks ago.  There are no winless teams left in the FBS.  UTEP beat Rice 36-24 on November 3rd.

...4 points, 2 painful losses, 20 years apart; USC giving up a safety which led to Cal's comeback, 15-14 win over the Trojans last week is nothing new to this intrepid reporter.  From my same seat 20 years ago, I watched freshman QB Carson Palmer get sacked for a safety when USC held a 31-10 lead over Cal.  The safety sparked a Cal comeback and a 32-31 victory for the Golden Bears.  The losses looked similar as do the coaches that presided over them.

...No excuses;  Iowa's schedule looked like the Hawkeyes were handed a free entry to the Big Ten title game.  The Hawkeyes don't play Michigan, Michigan State or Ohio State this year and played their two toughest divisional opponents in Wisconsin and Northwestern at home.  Yet, the Hawkeyes are 6-4 and out of everything.  SMH.

...Trivia Time; excluding Pac 12 newcomers Utah and Colorado, which Pac 12 school currently owns the longest streak without a win over USC at the LA Coliseum?

...7 x. 500; There is chance for seven Pac 12 teams to finish the year at 6-6.  Thanks, Larry Scott.  I'm sure the Poulan-Weedeater -Charmin-ExLax-Pepto-Bismal-Preparation-H-Tidy-Bowl representatives are thrilled with you.

...No reason to go;  If you're an Alabama season ticket holder, do you even go to this week's game v. the Citadel? SMH.

...Changing the focus;  The better Wazzu's season goes, the weirder HC Mike Leach gets.  Here is another fine example.  Minshew Mania

...Trivia Answer: Oregon State.  The Beavers haven't notched win over SC in the LA Coliseum since 1960.  That's a 58-year drought.  That year Tommy Prothro's Beavers downed John McKay's Trojans, 14-0.  The game was the season opener for both teams and not a conference game.  A scandal in the late 1950s caused the old Pacific Coast Conference to break up. Oregon State, Oregon and Wazzzu were independents in 1960. So, if you want to get really snarky about it, Oregon State hasn't won a conference game v. USC at the Coliseum since 1935.

The Plunger Award

Acting on the advice of the Oxnard Field Office, The Plunger Award has been brought out of retirement. This award goes to the team that stinks up their own stadium so bad that only a plunger could help flush this mess away.  This week's winner is USC for their absolutely abysmal play in the second half v. Cal.  

Pac 12 Overreactions

Colorado will finish 5-7.
USC will finish 5-7 too.
Cal will beat Stanford this year.
Stanford will go 7-5.
Oregon State will go 2-10.
Washington will beat OSU even with Jake Browning at QB.
Arizona will lose at Wazzu by two points.
Wazzu has UofA on their schedule and Washington on their minds.
Oregon is Sun Bowl bound.
Utah will limp into a rematch with Wazzu in three weeks.
UCLA will easily let Chip Kelly slide on a 3-9 season if they beat USC.
ASU will play in the Redbox Bowl.

CFL Update

The playoffs have begun in the Great White North and I can tell you that June Jones is alive and well in Hamilton. Jones' Tiger-Cats whipped the British Columbia Lions, 48-8 in the East Semi-Final and will face the Ottawa Redblacks in the East Final this week.  Over in the West Semi-Final, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers upset the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 23-18 and will face the Calgary Stampeders in the West Final.  The Winners will face off in the 106th Grey Cup Game.

Good Looking Uniform of the Week

Have to say, I like this classic look for Minnesota. The helmets seal the deal for me.


















Departments

Low Score Game of the Week:  Alpine, TX- The Southern States Athletic Conference in D-III is where this week's game hails from. RB Gabriel Wilson scored form one yard out and teammate RB Jemoine Green tacked on the two-point conversion with :31 left in the first quarter for the only points of the game in which the Belhaven Blazers defeated the Sul Ross State Lobos, 8-0. The Blazers totally shutdown the Lobos, holding them to 96 total yards and a paltry eight first downs.

Blowout Game of the Week: Wheaton, IL- This Week's Blowout comes to us form the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin in D-III. The 23rd ranked Wheaton Thunder closed out their regular season with a bang when they demolished the Elmhurst Blue Jays, 79-0. QB Curtis McWilliams led the Thunder's aerial attack throwing for 135 yard stand three scores while RB Jaelin Goldsmith ran for 67 yards and two TDs.  The Thunder built up a 51-0 halftime adavantrage cruised form there on.  In all, 17 different Wheaton players handled the ball while almost the entire roster got in some playing time.

C.W. Post Press: Brookville, NY- C.W. Post was in need of one final defensive stand and they needed it now.  They held a slim four point lead over New Haven. Time was short and New Haven had driven once again deep into Pioneer territory. The Chargers faced a third and goal from the Post 8-yard line with nine seconds left.  QB Ajee Patterson took the snap, slipped away from the rush and hit WR Brett Huber with a pass. Huber lunged for paydirt. He was stood up at the one-yard line by Post DBs Jahmel Johnson and Zach Confrancesco.  Huber was held out of the end zone and the clock hit triple zeroes. C.W. Post held on to win the Northeast-10 title with a 17-13 win. The Post defense bent, but didn't break forcing two turnovers deep in their own end of the field.  Offensively, RB Malik Pierre led the Pioneer attack with 151 yards rushing on 24 carries and a TD.  Up next for Post is the first round of the D-II playoffs.  The Pioneers are the #2 seed in their bracket and will host #7 seed Slippery Rock this week. Division II Playoff Bracket

Razorback Report:  LSU held a 24-3 lead on the Hogs late when they showed signs of life and threw a scare into the Bayou Bengals, losing a tough one, 24-17.  Up next for the Razorbacks is a trip to Mississippi State.

This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...

Printer ink cartridges are a bigger scam than concert tickets.

Homemade tacos rock.

Hallmark Christmas movies are bad, but fun to watch.

Until next time folks, remember that a team's discipline level comes from its' head coach.

-The Commissioner

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Week 10, 2018

Hey All,

Here's what you have all been waiting for, this season's first Pacific Standard Time edition of Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard. We still miss you, Joe Jares.

Summaries

USC 38- Oregon State 21: Out for USC were a slew of injured players and fired OL coach Neil Calloway and OC Tee Martin who had his play calling privileges taken away by HC Clay Helton.  In for USC was QB JT Daniels back from suffering a concussion at Utah along with Helton back as the play caller for the Trojans.  What happened was Helton discovered, or most likely somebody else told him,  that Oregon State had just about the worst rushing defense in America.  He turned RB Aca'Cedric Ware loose on the sloppy Beavers. Ware had a career night ripping through the OSU defense for 205 yards and three TDs on 17 carries. Daniels threw for 177 yards and a TD to further USC's cause.  Meanwhile USC's injured and porous defense did just enough to hold off OSU.  USC held the Beavers to just 31 yards rushing and sacked QB Jake Luton six times.  OSU also helped USC out by going for it twice on fourth down and failing deep in Trojan territory.  One failure came by a fake field goal and the other via a bad pass. No matter how much OSU helped out, USC will gladly take the victory in their last true road game of the year.
Telling Stat: A rush to win;  USC outgained Oregon State by 301 yards on the ground to secure a much welcomed win in Corvallis. 

Arizona 42- Colorado 34: The date was October 7, 2017.  The place was Folsom Field, Boulder, CO. That was when UofA QB Brandon Dawkins was leveled on a late hit by the CU defense.  The hit knocked Dawkins out of the game and his starting job.  Khalil Tate came in for Dawkins and absolutely destroyed the Buffaloes in a shootout win.  In that game Tate ran for 327 yards and four scores.  This past Friday night, Tate showed the Buffs he could pass too.  Tate threw for 350 yards and five scores as the Wildcats won another shootout, 42-34.  CU raced out to an early 10- lead, but UofA put up 26 points in the second quarter and took a 26-24 lead into the intermission. CU outscored the Cats, 10-9 in the third period to take a 35-34 lead into the fourth quarter.  Uof A took the lead early in the final period with a Tate's fifth TD pass, a 57-yarder to WR Cedric Peterson. Then, both teams ran out of ammo.  The Arizona defense got pushed around, but came up big on Colorado's final two possessions.  The Buffaloes were stopped on 4th and 9 at the UofA 29 with 10:12 to play, then DB Troy Young Picked off CU QB Steven Montez in his own end zone with 5:07 to play.  The Buffaloes would not see the ball again.  The Wildcats ran out the clock behind the powerful legs of RB J.J. Taylor who picked up two huge first downs.  Taylor finished the game with 192 yards on 40, yes 40 carries. For Colorado, Montez completed 27 of 42 passes for 343 yards and three TDs in the loss.
Telling Stat:  Painful cheap shot;  Since that cheap shot on Brandon Dawkins in 2017, Khalil Tate has gained 846 yards and accounted for 10 TDs against the Colorado defense.

Washington State 19- California 13: They say styles make fights and the clash between the Pac 12's top passing attack and top passing defense went the defense's way for the first 59:28.  The Golden Bears had limited the Cougars to just 13 points while their anemic offense managed to score 13 points as well.  However, the Cal offense did try to give away the game on several occasions and by pure luck managed to stay in the game. Would this be the game where Wazzu would "Coug It" and fall in the Pac 12 North?  Nope.  Wazzu drove 69 yards in six plays an capped it off with QB Gardner Minshew II's first TD toss of the game.  His 10-yard pass to WR Easop Winston with :32 lifted the Cougars to victory.  Minshew II finished the game with 334 yards passing and that one huge TD.  For Cal, they used their usual set of QBs with not much luck.  Chase Garbers threw for 127 yards and a TD, while Brandon McIlwain threw for 52 yards.  Each QB threw an interception.
Telling Stat: They kept grinding; The Wazzu defense set the stage for this win by limiting Cal to just three second half points. The WSU defense picked off two passes, forced two punts and held for downs once in the second half.

Oregon 42- UCLA 21: Chip Kelly stood on the sideline at Autzen Stadium.  The Ducks were up, 21-0 early in the second quarter on UCLA and crowd the was going crazy.  Only for Chip Kelly, he was the one on the wrong sideline and his squad was getting pummeled by the Ducks.  Kelly's bRuins did fight to get back in the game, but they just didn't have enough to keep up with the Ducks.  Every time UCLA fought to get close, Oregon pulled away with a big play.  UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson returned to the starting coming off a shoulder injury, but was replaced by Wilton Speight in the the third quarter after throwing for 135 yards and a score.  Speight threw for 147 yard and a score of his own as the backup. RB Joshua Kelley had another big game for the bRuins rushing for 161 yards and a TD on 26 carries.  However, the UCLA defense had no match for Oregon's speed and couldn't stop the passing combo of QB Justin Herbert and WR Dillon Mitchell. The pair hooked up eight times for 156 yards and two TDs.  RBs C.J. Verdell and Tony Brooks-James combined to rush for 163 yards and a pair of TDs for the Webfoots.
Telling Stat:  They dialed long distance; To go with a pair of 1-yard TD runs, Oregon's four other TD plays covered 56, 63, 67 and 54 yards.

Washington 27- Stanford 23: A tragedy in Cardinal unfolded in three acts at Husky Stadium.  Both teams sought redemption from the football gods after losses the previous week.  In act one, the Dawgs opened up in dominating fashion. They forged a 21-0 lead before allowing Stanford even to make a single first down.  In the second act, Stanford came alive and scored a pair of quick TDs in the 3rd quarter, then tacked on a 21-yard field goal from PK Collin Riccitelli who was playing in place of injured PK Jet Toner. Stanford trialed 24-17 with just 9:00 to play and people wondered if Stanford was about to pull off another miracle comeback in the northwest.  The third act unfolded and  tragedy struck Stanford down.  After a Husky field goal, the Cardinal answered with a 33-yard TD pass from QB K.J. Costello to WR Trent Irwin.  SU looked to trail by just three points with 3:24 to play.  However, Riccitelli missed the PAT.  Now down four, Stanford would have to stop the Dawgs one more time and drive for a TD to win the game.  The Cardinal did stop Washington, but the offense couldn't cross the double stripe.  Costello final pass was intercepted for a touchback in the UW end zone. Stanford is now eliminated from contention for the Pac 12 title.  Costello threw for 347 yards and a TDs while RB Bryce Love ran for 71 yards and a rare TD of his own in the loss.  As for UW, QB Jake Browning threw for 194 yards and a score, but RB Miles Gaskin was the heart of the offense. He ran for 148 yard on 28 carries and a touchdown.
Telling Stat: They dug a hole;  In the first 17:40 of the game, Stanford gave up 21 points, failed to make a single first down and were outgained 179 to 21 yards. That proved to be too much of a deficit to overcome for the Cardinal.

Arizona State 38- Utah 20: Coming off their big win at USC last week, ASU rode a big wave of momentum into Sun Devil Stadium.  That wave was large enough to wipe Utah out of the yard and back to Salt Lake City with a big loss and an injured signal caller.  The first half was a see-saw affair with ASU owning the lead at the half, 21-17 thanks to a TD run by RB Eno Benjamin and two TD passes from QB Manny Wilkins to WR N'Keal Harry. Utah did pull within a point in the third quarter thanks to a 31-yard field goal by PK Matt Gay, but the three points came at a huge price. On the first play of the drive, QB Tyler Huntley was nailed by the ASU defense and left the game with a broken collar bone. In his stead came backup freshman QB Jason Shelley.  Shelley was not up to the task and ASU ran away the game in the final period. The Sun Devils tallied the final 17 points of the game and came way with the huge upset win. Wilkins had a very accurate day, completing 19 fo 24 passes for 285 yards and three TDs. HIs backfield mate, Benjamin gashed the Utes for 175 yards on 27 carries and two TDs.  In the loss, RB Zack Moss rushed for 128 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown.
Telling Stat:  Utah's bad break;  After Utah QB Tyler Huntley exited the game with a broken collar bone, ASU shutout the Utes. They scored the final 17 points of the game while outgaining Utah by 150 yards. 

Observations

...Army Wrong; A number of cadets from West Point are in deep trouble after stealing the Air Force Academy mascot, Aurora.  They injured the falcon and the bird almost had to be euthanized.   Here's the sad tale.  Prank gone wrong

...The gift that keeps on giving;  Watching Colorado collapse these last four games has given this intrepid reporter endless laughs watching Buffs HC Mike MacIntyre lose it on the sidelines.

...Cardinal letdown;  Every Wazzu fan was a Stanford fan this past weekend and came to realize once again that the road to the Pac 12 title game still goes through Seattle.

...This just in; Navy stinks.

...Too many holes in the boat;  Minnesota HC P.J. Fleck fired his DC Robb Smith after the Gophers gave up 55 points to Illinois.  The Gophers have given up an average of 44.3 PPG in Big Ten play.

...Nothing to watch here;  Both divisions of the SEC have crowned their champions with three weeks left in the season.  What will ESPN drool over now?

...Can't get off the field; Penn State's defense is on the field for an average of 84.9 plays per game, the only team that faces more plays per game is Houston with 92.4 plays per game on defense. Ouch.

...A true political football;  One of the far lesser concerns on the ballot in this election is the elimination of community college football in Maricopa County, Arizona.  A strong effort is under way to unseat all the community college board members who want to drop the sport in the county where Phoenix is located.

...Out on a Kansas gale;  Kansas HC David Beaty was fired with three games left in the season after his squad stumbled through a loss to Iowa State.  Beaty finishes with a 6-39 record in four plus season in Lawrence.

...Truly Independent;  There is only one independent school in NCAA Division II football.  That lonely school is UNC-Pembroke.  The Braves program was reinstated back in 2007 and they have never joined a league.

...He gives up;  FSU HC Willie has given up the play calling duties for his punchless bunch of Seminoles.  FSU fans wish he'd just given up and left Tallahassee.

...Epic celebration, eh?;  Jon Gott, an offensive lineman for the Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL came up with what many be the most epic TD celebration ever when he grabbed a beer form a fan and chugged it in the end zone.  What's makes this celebration even better is that the league will not punish Gott for his mid game refreshment choice. Doing Bob and Doug McKenzie proud!

...Effusive Clay;  When USC HC Clay Helton goes out of his way to extoll the virtues of his squad after an unimpressive win over a hapless Oregon State squad, you know things ain't right at SC.

...Laughing stock;  In his quest to establish parity in the Pac 12, Commissioner Larry Scott has instead found parody.  The league is a national joke.

...Morgantown syndrome?; After falling to West Virginia, Texas may find themselves rooting for the Mountaineers to beat Oklahoma in the final week of the season so they can play in the Big XII title game against West Virginia. Hmmmmmm.

...Memo to Colorado fans; Remember back to the week of the USC game when you were 5-0 and mad that nobody was "taking you seriously" as a contender?  Now you know why.

...There is a difference;  The lowlife former basketball coach at Louisville is Rick Pitino. The soon to be former, but now current lowlife football coach at Louisville is Bob Petrino.

...Whining in Austin;  Texas HC To Herman had been taken to task over his whining about taunting from West Virginia last week. Here's a piece on Tom's short memory.  Cheese for his whines

...Pitt's it;  After this column gave the kiss of death to the Cavaliers of Virginia last week, Pitt stands alone atop the ACC Coastal division.  Which begs the question, how does Pitt qualify as being coastal?

...The long gray line of wins; In case anyone hasn't noticed, Army is 7-2.

...A big one in Spudsville;  8-1 Fresno State visits 7-2 Boise this week and a win by the Bulldogs would all but eliminate the Broncos form the Mountain West Conference title chase.

...It could happen;  There is actually a scenario where a team with a 4-5 record in conference play could win the Pac 12 South.  SMH.

CFL Update 

Calgary's 26-9 win over British Columbia on Saturday set the CFL playoff picture into perfect focus.
The Stampeders have earned a bye in the first round fo the playoffs.  The Western Semi-Final game will feature the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the winner will travel to Calgary for the Western Final Game the following week.  In the other side the bracket,  The Ottawa Redblacks earned the first round bye and will host the winner of the British Columbia Lions-Hamilton Tigers matchup in the Eastern Semi-Final.  Yes, BC is in the Eastern Semi-Final.  Here's the CFL rule that moved BC to the East for the playoffs.  The Crossover Rule

Random Cool Photo

This photo was taken on November 4th.  Here is the Port of LA shrouded in fog.














If He Could Turn Back Time

In honor of Cher and Daylight Savings Time, here's a list of what each Pac 12 head coach might do if they could turn back time.

Arizona: Kevin Sumlin- Wishes he'd given Khalil Tate time to heal six weeks ago.
Arizona State: Herm Edwards- Wishes he hadn't played Stanford already.
Washington: Chris Petersen- Wishes he had benched Jake Browning weeks ago.
Washington State: Mike Leach- Wishes he'd gotten that garbage man job in Cody, Wyoming.
California: Justin Wilcox- Wishes he recruited Gardner Minshew II
Stanford: David Shaw- Wishes he had advised Bryce Love to enter the NFL draft.
USC: Clay Helton- Wishes he told J.T. Daniels to stay in high school.
UCLA: Chip Kelly- Wishes he had never taken the job.
Oregon State: Jonathan Smith- Wishes he had stayed at Washington.
Oregon: Mario Cristobal- Wishes he could have moved one pylon.
Colorado: Mike MacIntyre- Wishes he could erase the past month.
Utah: Kyle Whittingham- Wishes the ASU game was in Salt Lake City.

Ugly Uniform of the Week

Our Pac 12 neighbors in Oregon win this week.  Both schools combined for an ugly Halloween look this past weekend.















Departments

Low Score Game of the Week: Buena Vista, VA- This week's game comes to us form the New Jersey Athletic Conference in D-III where the Southern Virginia Knights escaped with an 8-3 win over the William Patterson Pioneers.  The Knights trailed 3-0 with 1:17 to play when QB Tyler Callens hit WR Josh Newman with a 38-yard TD toss. Callens then hit TE Parker Nash with a pass for the two-point conversion. It's amazing SoVa won this game through the air as they only threw the ball six times all game.  In fact, 13 of their 14 first downs came via rushing the ball.

Best Game Almost Nobody Saw Last Week: Grand Junction, CO- 1,895 folks at Stocker Stadium saw the Colorado-Mesa Mavericks comeback for a 64-63 win in OT over the Adams State Grizzlies.  The Mavericks led 7-0 early on, then grabbed the lead for the second and final time when QB Eystin Salum scored on a one-yard run to put his squad up 64-57 in the OT period. In their half of the extra period, Adams State scored on an 8-yard pass from QB Miles Fishback to WR Michael Morales.  Admas then went for two and were stuffed by the Mavericks defense to end the game. The teams combined for 1,323 yards off offense and 63 first downs.  They also combined to run 188 plays. Adams State did their damage through the air with 488 yards passing, while Mesa ran the ball for nearly 300 yards.

C.W. Post Press: New Haven, CT: The Pioneers used a steady attack to go 9-0 on the season with a 24-13 win over the Southern Connecticut State Owls.  The win was also Post's 14th straight in regular season play. QB Chris Laviano was on target again, completing 17 of 28 tosses for 228 yards and a pair of scores.  Freshman RB, Jonathan DeBique carried the mail on the ground for Post, toting the rock 21 times for 116 yards, while RB Malik Pierre chipped in with 56 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown.  SCSU RB Eli Parks ran for 129 yards and a TD on the loss.  Up next for Post is their home finale against the University of New Haven Chargers.  This one is for all the marbles.  Both teams enter this game undefeated in Northeast 10 play.  The winner will grab an automatic bid to the Division II playoffs.

Razorback Report:  The Hogs were resting on a much needed bye week. The Hogs will host a very angry LSU squad this week.

This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...

Halloween candy purchased for half price on 10/1 tastes that much better.

Nobody can drive the day after we turn the clocks back.

The Reese's Peanut Butter cup is still the undisputed king of Halloween candy.

Until next time folks, remember that one win does not change an entire season of futility.

-The Commissioner