Week 4.2022

 Hey All,

It's time once again to review what happened last Saturday with another edition of Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard. We still miss you, Jim Murray.

USC 17- Oregon State 14: Corvallis, OR- Trojan fans knew that at least one time this year their team's prolific offense would stall and the defense would have to win the game.  However with the way the defense had played in the first three games, not a lot of folks were confident that could happen. The defense did come through and accomplish just that on Saturday night before a crowd of around 26 thousand in the work-in-progress remodel of Reser Stadium and the several thousand TV viewers that actually get the Pac 12 Network.  While USC's offense was thrown completely off by the OSU defense, USC's defense did the same to the Beavers.  USC trailed 7-3 to start the final period. The teams traded TDs in the  quarter and that left SC on the wrong end of a 14-10 score with just 4:41 to play.  Trojan HC Lincoln Riley gave QB Caleb Williams some words of encouragement on the bench prior to SC's final drive. Williams led the his Squad down the field on an 84-yard drive that included one incredible fourth down conversion when OL Brett Neilon and the rest of the O-line pushed Williams past the first down marker. Five plays later Williams found WR Jordan Addison down the right sideline and he sprinted the rest of the way for the game-winning 21-yard touchdown.  The Beavers would have one last drive to at least get into field goal range to force overtime, but Nolan's third down pass would be tipped and intercepted to give USC the hard fought victory.  Williams completed just 16 of 36 passes for 180 yards and that game-winning touchdown. RB Travis Dye just kept rolling along for SC with 133 yards rushing on 19 carries and a touchdown. For OSU, The RB combo of Jam Griffin and DeShaun Fenwick combined for 113 yards on 23 carries and both of the Beavers touchdowns while Chance Nolan completed 17 of 29 passes for 167 yards and those four huge interceptions 

Telling Stat: The Defense did it;  The Trojan defense picked off four passes which let their sputtering offense hang around long to make just enough plays to win the game. 

Oregon 44 - Washington State 41: Pullman, WA- They Coug'd it.  Oh, it was a barnburner of a game in the Palouse. It was a wild, crazy game. It had everything from a replacement of a lost down after a change of possession to radical momentum swings in a matter of seconds, but in the end Wazzu Coug'd it and lost a heartbreaker. The Cougars had outplayed the Ducks, holding a 34-22 lead with 6:42 to play.  Heck they even cashed in a 95-yard pick six late in the second quarter.  Quack faithful looked as pale as their team's Ice White uniforms.  Then, the Cougar collapse began.  UO drove 75 yards in 11 plays to cut the WSU lead to 34-29 when TE Cam McCormick got a one-yard TD pass from QB Bo Nix. On the ensuing possession, the Cougars inexplicably called pass plays on second and third down instead trying to burn the clock and force the Ducks to burn their timeouts.  After the Wazzu punt, Oregon faced a 3rd and 1 at the 50-yard line. Nix hit WR Tony Franklin with a 50-yard TD pass that drained most of the energy out of Martin Stadium. Nix then ran in the two-point conversions and the Ducks held a 37-34 lead.  Then, the true moment of Coug'ing it occurred on the next possession.  On 2nd and 4 from their own 31, QB Cameron Ward threw a quick pass to his left and UO DE Mase Funa snatched its out of the air and rumbled 27 yards to the end zone. The Ducks now led 44-34 and Martin Stadium was silent as a morgue. Wazzu did manage to score again with with :01 left, but the Cougar collpase was complete.  Despite his own pick six, Bo Nix completed 34 of 44 passes for 428 yards and three TDs for the Men of Oregon.  Cam Ward completed 37 of 48 passes for 375 yards, three TDs and two interceptions in the bitter loss.

Telling Stat: 30 seconds over Pullman;  That's all the time it took Wazzu to go from a 34-29 lead with victory in sight to a 44-34 deficit and another epic Cougar collapse.  

California 49- Arizona 31: Berkeley, CA- Over the years these two have played some close, high scoring affairs that usually went down to the wire.  It looked like we had another one of those contests brewing with UofA holding a 24-21 lead at intermission.  However, Cal would own the second half thanks to their defense, the legs of freshman RB Jadyn Ott and the arm of QB Jack Plummer.  While the Bears stuffed UofA on three straight drives, Plummer threw for TD passes of three and 37 yards to go with a three-yard TD jaunt by Ott.  All that activity resulted in Cal taking a 42-24 lead and control of the game. The Wildcats did cut their deficit to just 42-31 with 12:36 left to play when WR Jacob Cowing hauled in a 14-yard TD pass from QB Jayden de Laura. Arizona would not get any closer.  Ott sealed the game for the Golden Bears when he raced 72 yards to paydirt with 4:56 to play.  Ott finished the day with the third most rushing yards in a single game in Cal history. He lugged the leather 19 times for 274 yards and three TDs Plummer completed 18 of 28 passes for 245 yards and three TDs. de Laura threw for 401 yards, two TDs and two interceptions in defeat. 

Telling Stat: Setting the stage;  The Cal defense forced three turnovers and two punts while allowing only one score to Arizona in the second half to pave the way to victory.  

UCLA 45- Colorado 17: Boulder, CO- The Colorado offense has been epically poor and that led Buffs HC Karl Dorrell to start his third different QB of the year, freshman Owen McCown.  The freshman's presence did not improve things.  Once again the Buffs offense stalled while UCLA's offense moved the ball seemingly at will. bRuin RB Zack Charbonnet needed just nine carries to rack up 104 yards and three TDs. His teammate QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson shredded the CU secondary completing 19 of 23 passes for 234 yards and two scores.  Up 38-10 to start the final period, UCLA sat their starters to get some extra rest for next week's tilt with Washington.  McCown did pile up some yards, completing 26 of 42 passes for 258 yards,  a touchdown and an interception in the lopsided loss. 

Telling Stat: Could have been worse;  If UCLA hadn't failed on two fourth downs deep in CU territory they would have hung at least 55 on the Buffs. 

Utah 34- Arizona State 6: Tempe, AZ- The Shaun Aguano era at ASU started off pretty much like the Herm Edwards era ended.  The new interim HC of the Sun Devils watched Utah hold a 14-0 lead after one quarter of play. A first quarter that also saw the Utah defense hold ASU to -20 yards. The Sun Devils did manage to put two field goals on the board in the second quarter, but the Utes had control of the game going up 24-6 at the break. Utah's defense set the tone for this game while their offense just ground out yards with a strong rushing attack and play action passing that featured their deep TE group.  A couple of Utah offensive miscues kept this game from really getting ugly.  QB Cam Rising completed 19 of 29 passes for 260 yards, two TDs and an interception.  TE Dalton Kincaid hauled in nine of those passes for 66 yards and two TDs.  Six different Utes combined to run for 205 yards on 45 carries and two scores.  QB Emory Jones completed 21 of 36 passes for 261 yards, a TD and two interceptions in the lopsided loss 

for ASU.

Telling Stat: Stuck in one dimension;  Utah's defense held ASU to six yards rushing, making the Sun Devils an easy to defend one dimensional team. 

Washington 40- Stanford 22: Seattle, WA- After a week off Stanford headed to Montlake with thoughts of upset in mind.  That didn't happen as Cardinal offense self-destructed early.  Two Stanford turnovers in their first four drives led to the Dawgs jumping out to a 17-0 lead midway through he second period on a three-yard run by RB Will Nixon, a 35-yard FG from PK Peyton Henry and a 34-yard run by RB Wayne Taulapapa. Stanford would cut into the Dawgs lead when QB Tanner McKee connected With WR Michael Wilson for a 23-yard scoring strike.  The third quarter belonged to the Huskies.  Two more Henry FGs of 47 and 32 yards were sandwiched around a 30-yard TD pass from QB Michael Penix, Jr. to WR Rome Odunze which extended UW's lead to 30-7 at the start of the fourth quarter. The Cardinal did make a bit of a comeback late, but they ended up basically trading scores with UW as the clock ran out.  Penix, Jr. completed 22 of 37 passes for 309 yards and two TDs for the Huskies.  McKee threw for 286 yards, three scores and an interception in the loss.

Telling Stat: They dug a hole;  Stanford lost this game early when their offense failed to show up until the second quarter.  SU's first four drives ended in a pair of punts and a pair of turnovers.

Observations

...65 years ago bad; Colorado has lost their first four games by 25 points or more. The last team to accomplish that dubious feat was the 1957 Indiana Hoosiers. IU went 1-8 that year with their only victory coming over Villanova, 14-7.  

...Feeling for Wake;  Wake Forest had Clemson beat, but fell in OT 51-45 in one of the most exciting games of the year so far. 

...A potentially big year;  Minnesota is off to a 4-0 start after whipping Michigan State, 34-7. The Golden Gophers have a great shot to get to the Big Ten title game. Their schedule is a friendly one.  They don't face TheeeOSU or Michigan and their only tough road game is at Penn State on 10/22. 

...A missed down;  The refs short changed Wazzu a down during their game with Oregon.  The Pac 12 crew actually went back and gave Wazzu that lost down. Here's the Pac 12's explanation of what went down with the missing down. A big miss 

...A bowling ball;  Michigan RB Blake Corum stands 5'8", weighs 210 lbs. and is as about as hard to tackle as giant bowling ball.  His 248 yards on 30 carries v Maryland was a sight to see. 

...Speaking of Maryland;  Terrapin KR Tai Felton demonstrated how not to be a KR on the opening kickoff v. Michigan. DOINK!

...So worth it;  Texas Tech was fined $50,000 for storming the field after they beat Texas, 37-34 in OT.  

...He was feeling it;  Here's USC radio play-by-play man Pete Arbogast's call of the Trojans game-clinching interception against Oregon State Game Over

...Costly win; Utah TE Brant Kuithe was lost for the season after suffering a knee injury v. ASU last Saturday.  He was the Utes leading receiver.

...Identity crisis;  Stanford has no idea who they are anymore.  They are neither a power running team or a true RPO team.  They are just a mess.  

...They both stunk;  Auburn only won their game v Missouri because the rules dictated that there had to be a winner.  Nobody deserved to win this awful display of football. However, Mizzou really did let the game slip away.  Painful to watch

...Trying to find fans;  UCLA is offering cut rate tickets and special ticket packages to try and draw a decent crowd for their clash with Washington this Friday at the Rose Bowl.  Seriously folks, this is a battle  of undefeated teams in serious contention for the Pac 12 title.  It should be a nearly full stadium. 

...Still not ranked;  Kansas is off to its' best start in forever at 4-0 and didn't crack the top 25 this week.

...It could happen; It would be one of the worst games of all-time, but it is now possible for an NCAA game to finish with a score of 1-0.  From the third OT on teams will alternate running two-point conversion attempts until a winner is decided.  That means if a game goes to the third OT in a scoreless tie, the rarely seen one-point safety could occur and a team could win, 1-0. What is the one-point safety?  Please watch this video.  This particular one point safety happened on a PAT kick, but the principle still applies to two-point conversion attempts. The Big 1. 

...The high and the low;  3-1 Iowa has the FBS's 6th ranked total defense allowing just 236 yards per game. They are also rank 131st and dead last in total offense gaining just 232 yards per game.  

...Two Ramblin' Wrecks;  Georgia Tech has fired both HC Geoff Collins and his boss AD Todd Stansbury. Collins was 10-28.  Collins will get 11 million to leave.  Stansbury's buyout is considerably less. 

...Sunday morning excitement;  RedZone is the only way to watch the NFL.   

...Boredom, depression;  You know your team is really bad when even your fuzzy mascot has given up. Check out Chip The Buffalo play solitaire in the end zone instead of watching the Buffs get trounced by UCLA. A deck of 51

...They turned on Herm;  From a report in The Athletic a few days ago, ASU staffers were feeding the details of the Sun Devils game plans to opponents in order to hasten Herm Edwards ouster in Tempe. You have to be a special kind of bad to have your own staff turn on you. Wow.   

...NFL frustration; Buffalo OC Ken Dorsey was not pleased when the Bills lost to the Dolphins. Smashed it up

...The kid nails it;  Leave it to Archie to sum up feelings we've all had during a football season.

CFL Update

Three downs and three byes are no problem north of the border.  The CFL regular season is 16 weeks into their 21 week schedule that gives each team three byes.  It doesn't matter how long the season is because the two-time defending Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers are still the class of the league.  They are 12-2 and should clinch the West Division title pretty soon.  The BC Lions and Calgary Stampeders are the Bombers only serious competition standing at 9-4 and 9-5 respectively.  The Toronto Argonauts are tops in the East Division with an 8-5 mark.  The Commissioner's favorite team, the Edmonton Elks are dead last in the west at 4-10. 

Pac 12 Overreactions 

Colorado won't score over 20 points all year. 

Stanford is a 3-9 team.

Arizona is two years away from being good.

Wazzu is the most dangerous team in the league.

UCLA looks like they are just going through the motions.

Oregon could go 11-1.

ASU will be 1-5 entering their bye week.

USC is a 10-2 team. 

Utah's defense is the best in the league.

Cal's rushing game will make them a bowl team. 

Washington may finally have found the next Don James. 

Oregon State is an 8-4 team at best. 

Cool Looking Stadium of the Week

Tennessee fans achieved the checkerboard look and it made Neyland Stadium look awesome. 

Departments 

Low Score Game of the Week: Pittsford, NY- It was Alumni Weekend at St. John Fisher University and the host Cardinals gave their alumni a hard fought, 3-0 win over the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers.  PK Kyle Farewell booted a 26-yard FG on the opening drive of the game and the St. John Fisher defense made that FG stand over the final 52 minutes to grab a much needed win.  RPI was stymied by the Cardinals defense all game.  The Engineers never got into the red zone with their best drive stalling at the Cardinals 33-yard line. 

Blowout Game of Week: Nacogdoches, TX- Tiny Warner University of the NAIA ranks traveled from Lake Wales, Florida to take on FCS opponent Stephen F. Austin and were crushed, 98-0.  Yes, 98-0.  It could have been 100-0, but the Lumberjacks just took a knee on their final PAT of the game instead of going for the triple digit win.  SFA started out with a 35-0 lead after the first quarter and the game got worse from there.  Warner might want to drop football as they are now 0-4 and have been outscored 243-32 on the season. 

Razorback Report: Arlington, TX- The Hogs held a 14-7 over Texas A&M and were looking to extend that lead with a 1st and Goal at the TAMU three-yard line. QB K.J. Jefferson took the snap and tried to dive over the goal line.  The ball was popped out of his hands and DB Tyreek Chappell picked the ball out of the air and returned it to the 18-yard line where he handed off to fellow DB Demani Richardson who took the ball the final 82 yards for a TD. It was a TD that changed the momentum of the whole game. From then on the Hogs were in an uphill battle.  Still through it all, Arknasas did have one last chance to win the game, but PK Cam Little's 41-yard FG attempt doinked off the top of the right upright and the Aggies had the win, 23-21. Things don't get easier for the Razorbacks as they host Alabama this week. 

This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...

Sometimes a mistake on the BBQ can end up tasting great.

Fall teased us here, then sent Summer back in for a week of heat and high humidity.

Replacing my doormats and garden flags as the seasons change is like the most suburban thing to do.

Until Next Time, remember that a strong defense will almost always keep you in the game.

-The Commissioner 

Week 3 2022

Hey All,

It's time for another edition of the column that makes Tuesdays brighter, Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard.  We still miss you, Mel Durslag. 

USC 45- Fresno State 17: Los Angeles, CA- Many bus loads of Fresno supporters, band and cheerleaders descended upon the Coliseum in hopes of watching their Bulldogs upset the #7 ranked Trojans.  They were left to make that late night crawl back up Highway 99 after being beaten by Trojans.  USC's offense was pretty much unstoppable as the Trojan defense gave up enough chunk plays and drives to make the game tighter than it should have been. The Men of Troy were nursing a 21-10 lead with 13:15 to go in the third quarter when on a 1st and 10 at the USC 47-yard line Fresno State QB Jake Haener was sacked, fumbled and injured.  Fresno lost seven yards, the ball and Haener for the rest of the contest due to a high ankle sprain. USC QB Caleb Williams then led the Trojans on a five play, 46-yard TD drive to make the score 28-10.  Fresno Backup QB Logan Fife then led the Bulldogs on a TD drive which was capped off by a 32-yard TD run from RB Malik Sherrod and Fresno State was back in the game at 28-17.  The Trojans answered right back with a 75 yard TD drive of their own.  RB Travis Dye finished it off with a rumbling 25-yard run through the Bulldogs defense.  FSU then missed a field goal on their next drive and the Trojans made them pay for the miss when Williams hooked up with TE Malcolm Epps for 10-yard TD pass that put USC up 42-17.  Those who stayed to the end watched USC snuff out one final Fresno State scoring chance with a goal line stand. It was a stand that this defense needed for confidence down the road.  SC's Williams completed 25 of 37 passes for 284 yards and two TDs while teammates Travis Dye and Austin Jones both toted the rock for over 100 yards and a touchdown. Fresno State RB Jordan Mims rushed for 114 yards and a TD on 15 carries in the loss.  

Telling Stat: A 0 and a 0;  USC held Fresno State scoreless over the last 22:13 of the game.  That ensured a Trojan victory and that Fresno State HC Jeff Tedfiord would remain winless at the Coliseum v. USC. 

Notre Dame 24- California 17: South Bend, IN-  Marcus Freeman picked up his first victory as HC of the Fight Irish, but it didn't come without one really bad call to aid his squad. After Cal took a 7-0 lead over the Irish early in the second quarter, a few calls from the ND's home officiating crew went against the Golden Bears. None was worse than this one.  At the 9:36 mark of the second quarter ND PK Blake Grupe missed a 45-yard field goal, then a late flag appeared.  Cal was called for offsides.  Nobody from Cal was offsides, even the NBC broadcast team had no idea how that call was made. The Irish were handed a first down and scored a TD on the next play to even up the game at 7-7.  Yes, there was plenty of time left in the game and Cal did have their chances to win. They even had a a couple of big replays go their way to keep their hopes alive, but this bad call changed the game. 

Telling Stat: 1+7=W;  One phantom flag plus the TD that helped hand ND the win.

Offsides?  I could not get my video of the play to load, but I will send it to those who want it.  This pic is is from right at the snap, I don't see anybody close to being offsides. The yellow line was drawn by ND football broadcast analyst and former Cowboys HC Jason Garrett to show that nobody was offsides. 

Oregon 41- BYU 20: Eugene, OR- The Cougars came into Autzen Stadium feeling like world beaters after their OT upset of Baylor in Provo.  They came out of this one feeling decidedly worse after the Ducks smacked them around in Eugene.  The Quacks held BYU for downs on their opening drive on the UO 36-yard line.  Four plays later, the Ducks had a 7-0 lead on two-yard run by QB Bo Nix. A 28-yard FG by PK Camden Lewis extended their lead over the Cougars to 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. BYU would cut their deficit to just 10-7 when TE Isaac Rex capped off a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 28-yard scoring strike from QB Jaren Hall. BYU would never be this close to Oregon again.  Another 2-yard rush to paydirt form Nix and 15-yard TD pass from Nix to TE Terence Ferguson would put Uncle Phil's interns up 24-10 at the break.  The Quacks then found the end zone on both of their first two drives of the second half while their defense held BYU for downs on their first two drives which put the game out of reach at 38-7.  The Cougars managed a couple of late cosmetic scores, but this game and the day belonged to the Men of Oregon.  Nix had himself a heck of a game completing 13 of 18 aerials for 222 yards and two TDs to go with 35 yards rushing on nine carries and three more trips to the end zone. Hall completed 29 of 41 passes for 305 yards and two TDs in the loss. 

Telling Stat: Denied;  Oregon's defense held BYU for downs four times and that allowed the Ducks to turn this game from a close affair into an easy win. 

UCLA 32- South Alabama 31: Pasadena, CA- The bRuins came into this one as a sizable favorite over the Jaguars.  It became apparent early that nobody told the Jags that they were just supposed to be another tune up for UCLA.  As UCLA stumbled and bumbled South Alabama played well enough to control the game and found themselves up 31-29 with 3:24 left in regulation. Facing a 4th and 2 at the UCLA 22-yard line, the Jaguars decided they would try a field goal to go up by five and make a UCLA comeback a more difficult proposition.  However, the Jags ran a fake field goal that didn't fake out anybody.  The Holder, Tanner McGee was sacked for an 11 yard loss and the bRuins had one last shot to avoid embarrassment with 2:52 to play.  QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson drove the bRuins 66 yards to the South Alabama six yard line where PK Nicholas Barr-Mira kicked the chip shot field goal for the win as time ran out. In the too close for comfort win, Thompson-Robinson completed 20 of 30 passes for 263 yards and three scores. South Alabama RB La'Danian Webb led all rushers with 124 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown in the tough loss. 

Telling Stat: 9-0 gets them 3-0;  UCLA outscored South Alabama 9-0 in the final period to win the game and go 3-0 on the season.   

Minnesota 49- Colorado 7: Minneapolis, MN- Buffalo football's slide into something worse than mediocrity continued Saturday at the school that served as the fictional Grand Lakes University for Rodney Dangerfield's comedy classic, Back to School.  The Golden Gophers schooled the Buffs in all aspects of football as they ran out to a 35-0 halftime lead. The Gophers would tack on two more scores before allowing a late TD that only saved CU the humiliation of being shutout.  Minnesota RB Mo Ibrahim stampeded all over the Buffaloes defense, gaining 202 yards rushing on 23 carries with three TDs.  His teammate QB Tanner Morgan threw only 16 passes but completed 11 of those for 157 yards and three TDs.  The Maroon and Gold defense stifled the CU offense allowing just 82 yards in the first three quarters before emptying the benches. TE Austin Smith scored the Buffs lone TD on a four-yard pass from  QB J.T. Shrout long after the game was decided. 

Telling Stat: 145/7 for not; 145 of Colorado's 227 total yards and only score came after they had fallen behind 49-0 and Minnesota had emptied their benches.  

Washington State 38- Colorado State 7: Pullman, WA- Would the Cougars suffer a hangover after upsetting Wisconsin last week and find themselves battling just to grab a win over a lesser opponent? Ummmm, No.  The Cougars started fast building up. a 21-0 first quarter lead that turned into a 28-0 lead midway through the second quarter.  QB Cameron Ward accounted for all of those 28 points on four TD passes. The Cougs then tacked on a 22-yard FG from PK Dean Janikowski to start the third period and this game was over.  Ward finished the game with 24 completions in 34 pass attempts for 299 yards, four TDs and an interception. The Wazzu defense did allow one late score, but they made sure the that there would no threat of a  CSU comeback by forcing two turnovers and holding the Rams to just 2 of 13 on third down conversions.  In the loss, QB Clay Millen completed 25 of 35 passes for 212 yards, a TD and an interception for the Rams. 

Telling Stat:  Could have been worse; Instead of being down 31-0 early in third period, CSU could have been down 42-0 if Wazzu had not failed to convert one key third down and fumbled on an earlier drive. 

Oregon State 68- Montana State 28: Providence Park, Portland, OR- There were folks that thought the Beavers could get caught looking ahead to hosting USC next week and might stumble against the Bobcats of the Big Sky Conference. They didn't.  While the Bobcats did put up a TD each quarter, the Beavers left little doubt as to how this game would play out.  With renovations being done to Reser Stadium, the only uncomfortable part of the game for HC Jonathan Smith's team was not playing at home.  They ran out to a 54-21 lead through three quarters then coasted the rest of the way for the win. QB Chance Nolan skinned the Bobcats, completing 19 of 25 passes for 276 and four TDs.  He also ran four times for 25 yards and another score. WR Tre'Shaun Harrison was Nolan's favorite target hauling in nine balls for 63 yards and a TD.  QB Tommy Mellot was most of the MSU offense throwing for 101 yards and three picks to go with 135 yards rushing 18 carries while RB/QB Sean Chambers scored three of the Bobcats four TDs.

Telling Stat: 9 for 10 = Rout; OSU scored TDs on nine of their first 10 drives to whip the Bobcats. 

Washington 39- Michigan State 20: Seattle, WA- A big second quarter provided enough of a cushion for the Dawgs to withstand a late comeback by the Spartans on Montlake.  UW took the opening kickoff and promptly drove the ball 77 yards in seven plays to take a 7-0 lead.  QB Michael Penix, Jr. capped off the drive with an eight-yard TD pass to WR Ja'Lynn Polk. The Spartans were forced to punt on the ensuing possession and the Huskies went right down the field again only for the Spartans to make a great goal line stand and take over possession on their own two-yard line. The Husky defense then stuffed MSU RB Jarek Broussard for a safety.  UW then took the ball after the free kick ands drove 50 yards for another TD and a had 16-0 lead with 13:49 left in the second quarter.  The shell shocked Spartans never recovered.  Two more TD passes from Penix, Jr, sandwiched around seven-yard Spartan TD pass from QB Payton Thorne to WR Keon Coleman gave there Dawgs a 29-8 halftime lead.  After a stalemate of a third quarter, Sparty did make a bit of a comeback, but it was not enough and the Huskies picked up their first big win for HC Kalen DeBoer. Penix, Jr. torched the MSU secondary completing 24 of 40 passes for 397 yards and four TDs.  Thorne completed 30 of 42 passes for 323 yards, three TDs and an interception in defeat. The UW defense squashed the Spartans rushing attack, allowing just 42 yards on the ground. 

Telling Stat: They never got started;  Washington owned the ball early holding it for 13:11 of the first 17:11 of the game.  During that time, they put Michigan State in a 16-0 hole that they couldn't dig out of. 

Arizona 31- North Dakota State 28: Tucson, AZ- The mighty Bison of NDSU came to the desert southwest with plans to embarrass the seemingly vulnerable Wildcats.  Instead, UofA beat the Bison.  NDSU had won nine of the previous 11 FCS national titles and had also won their last six games v. FBS teams.  So, it was not a big surprise that the Bison held a 28-24 lead with 8:52 to play.  However, the Wildcats did something they had not done in a long time, they rallied to win.  After the Arizona defense held NDSU for downs, QB Jayden deLaura's arm and RB Jonah Campbell's legs drove the Wildcats 50 yards to the Bison's 22-yard line. de Laura then put the Wildcats ahead to stay when he connected with WR Jacob Cowing for a touchdown. The Bison went three and out on the ensuing possession. UofA then ran the final 2:48 off the clock for the win.  de Laura finished connecting on 20 of 28 tosses for 229 yards and a touchdown for UofA.  FB Hunter Luepke ran for 115 yards and two TDs on just 18 carries to spearhead the Bison's attack in the tough loss.

Telling Stat: Bruised, but not beaten;  The Arizona defense gave up 283 yards rushing to South Dakota State. However, they gave up just three yards rushing and five yards total on NDSU's last two drives to secure a tough win. 

Utah 35- San Diego State 7: Salt Lake City, UT- When SDSU was pretty much manhandled at home by Arizona to start the season, hopes weren't high for the Aztecs to pull off a win at Utah. After a first 20 minutes of play where the teams traded defensive blows, the Utes made a few adjustments and put up 21 points to finish off the first half.  QB Cameron Rising threw three TD passes to account for the 21 points. His TD tosses covered 30, 13 and 15 yards to TE Brant Kuithe, WR Solomon Ends and WR DeVaughn Vele. Utah then came out and put the game away with TDs other first two drives off the third period.  RB Tavion Thomas raced 18 yards for the first score and Rising threw his fourth and final TD pass of the game for the second score.  That one was a short three-yard pass Vele for his second TD catch of the game. SDSU was able to avoid the big goose egg when QB Kyle Churm threw an 18-yrd TD pass to WR Josh Nicholson with 3:56 left to play. Rising's four TD passes were part of his 18 completions in 30 tosses for 224 yards.  Churm led the stagnant SDSU offense completing five of 16 passes for 53 yards and that lone Aztec TD.  

Telling Stat: Punting ain't winning;  Six of SDSU's first eight drives ended in punts.  The other two ended in turnovers.  That's how the Aztecs ended up on the wrong end of a 35-0 score and facing a big fat L in the middle of the third quarter. 

Eastern Michigan 30- Arizona State 21: Tempe, AZ-  It was a game that fell under the category of Pac 12 After Dark at ASU.  However, it turned out to be lights out for ASU HC Herm Edwards after his Sun Devils were embarrassed by the Eastern Michigan Eagles. The Eagles from Ypsilanti were as tough as their factory worker history as they literally ground out a victory.  RB Samson Evans, who had never run for over 100 yards in a game, torched the Sun Devils for 258 yards and a TD on 36 carries.  EMU built top a 24-14 halftime advantage thanks to Samson's TD, a four yard run from RB Jaylon Jackson, six-yard TD pass from QB Austin Smith to WR Hassan Beydoun and a 27-yard FG from PK Jesus Gomez. The second half was defensive stalemate with ASU scoring the half's only TD, but it wasn't enough to stave off the upset at the hands of the Eagles. ASU's last chance for a comeback died when WR Jaylin Conyers fumbled at the EMU 30-yard line with 2:01 left to play.  ASU QB Emory Jones completed 20 of 32 passes for 182 yards and a TD in the loss. 

Telling Stat: They ground out the victory;  RB Samson Evans carried the ball on 12 of EMU's final 15 plays, racking up 119 yards to help kill the clock and ASU's chances of escaping an embarrassing loss. 

Observations

...So long Herm;  There will be no miracle at Sun Devil Stadium for Herm Edwards as he was relieved of his duties as the HC of Arizona State this past Sunday afternoon.  The Sons of Sparky suffered an embarrassing loss to Eastern Michigan and that was apparently the last straw for the ASU admin.  Well that, and the fact that ASU is under the gun from the NCAA for numerous recruiting violations during Edwards time in Tempe.  So long, Herm 

...This just in; Iowa is the worst 2-1 team in the FBS. 

...Fashionably late;  Being a member of the great unwashed in society I don't know if the season at Newport has ended, but the Ivy League has finally kicked off their season.  Everyone but Yale won their non-conference opener.  The Bulldogs got whipped, 42-17 by Stephen F. Austin. 

...More Herm;  We all know how former SC HC Lane Kiffin was Tarmaced after a bad loss to ASU, but now former ASU HC Herm Edwards may have been end zoned in his own stadium. End Zoned

...Unexpected big one;  Suddenly, Oregon's game at Wazzu this week could be a great one. 

...He didn't even get a Tammy Wynette;  Colorado HC Karl Dorrell didn't even get the classic "Stand By Your Man," press release from CU AD Rick George.  Changes are coming at the foot of the Flatiron Mountains. Check out the non-vote of confidence in this press release.  No Tammy is no good

...Opportunity going to waste here;  This kicker pictured below is BYU's Jake Oldroyd.  Can somebody get this guy a NIL deal with Preparation H?

...Hindsight is a tough mistress; Northwestern fans were pretty happy when they came from behind to beat what was believed to be a resurgent Nebraska team a few weeks ago. Now, the Wildcats are 1-2 after a loss to Southern Illinois and Nebraska is winless, rudderless and has fired their HC one week and their DC the next. 

...Feeling all Peaches and Herb; The reunited combo of Washington HC Kalen DeBoer and QB transfer Michael Penix, Jr. is working out great for the Huskies.  Penix, Jr. has led the Dawgs to a 3-0 record and has already thrown for over 1,000 yards.  DeBoer was Penix, Jr's OC back at Indiana in 2019. 

...Irish eyes not smiling;  ND OC Tommy Rees was not happy with QB Drew Pyne's effort midway through their contest with Cal last Saturday.  These lips are easy to read. Words of Encouragement

... Three for four the hard way;  The Nevada-Iowa game featured three different weather delays that lasted a little over four hours.  The game started at 6:40 PM Saturday ended at 1:39 AM Sunday with with Hawkeyes defeating the visiting Wolfpack, 27-7.  The only other game FBS still being played when this game finished was Duquesne at Hawaii. 

...Panic under the dome;  You knew it was dire in South Bend when Lou Holtz and Mantei Teo showed up to help the team dig out from their 0-2 hole.  They even broke out a really ugly set of green jerseys.  If they had lost, I wonder if they would have had dug up Knute Rockne and popped him up on the sidelines for their next home game. Hmmmmm

...Cowboys up; Let's hear it for Ragtime Cowboy Joe!  Wyoming is 3-1 and 1-0 in the Mountain West with a win over Air Force last Friday.  

...Tough divison; Everyone in the Big Ten East is 3-0 with exception of Michigan State at 2-1. Yes folks, Indiana, Maryland, and Rutgers are all 3-0 along with TheeeOSU, Michigan and Penn State. Wow.

...Troy not pleased;  Former UCLA QB Troy Aikman was not happy with his alma mater's attendance and level of play v. South Alabama. Empty seats, lots of empty seats 

...Wrong again;  This intrepid reporter wondered why Penn State was a three point favorite at Auburn.  I, and Auburn HC Bryan Harsin didn't see the Nittany Lions, 41-12 beatdown of the Tigers coming. 

...Gameday Fail;  We all know that ESPN sold its' soul to the SEC years ago, so I understand why College Gameday will be at Tennessee this week.  I still they should be at Kansas this week where the 3-0 Jayhawks will host 3-0 Duke. 

...Not a stellar trifecta; For the first time in school history, Colorado has lost its' first three games by 25 points or more.  

Pac 12 Overreactions 

USC is a defensive line away from being a playoff caliber team.

UCLA is better than most people think.

Utah still has two huge losses looming.

Colorado has one of the worst offenses of all time.

ASU's downhill slide has just begun, this may go for years.

Wazzu is an 8-4 team.

Washington is the best Pac 12 team north of Los Angeles.

Oregon State is a 9-3 team.

Stanford still thinks they should of beat SC. They're wrong.

Oregon could go 11-1 and stay irrelevant because of Georgia.

Cal's offense is two levels better than  CU's offense and that's not a good thing. 

Arizona is a 5-7 team. 

Good Looking Uniform Combo of the Week

The all-purple Washington Huskies uniforms mixed with the all-white Michigan State uniforms on the green Husky Stadium field turf made for a visually appealing game. 

Departments

Low Score Game of the Week: Owensboro, KY- This game comes to us from Division-II where the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers got downright defensive in an 11-6 win over the Missouri S&T Miners. The Panthers did not give up a point on defense as Mo S&T's only points came on a late punt return.  In fact, thanks to a safety, the Panthers defense outscored the Miners, 2-0.  Kentucky Wesleyan allowed only 118 total yards and just eight first downs.  They also held the Miners to 0 for 10 on third down conversions. 

Blowout Game of the Week: Alamosa, CO-  This game is from the the D-III ranks.  The Orediggers of Colorado Mines opened their season at 0-2 with a pair of frustrating three point losses to the #5 and #7 teams in D-III.  They took all their frustrations out on Adams State, spanking the Grizzlies, 84-10. It was the opener of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play for both schools.  Oredigger QB Josh Matocha cooly completed 16 of 20 passes for 211 yards and four TDs in one half of work.  RB's Michael Zeman and Landon Walker combined for 277 yards rushing on 23 carries and five TDs.  Colorado Mines punted only once and their PK Matthew Eich scored 12 points the hard way, converting on all 12 of his PAT attempts. 

Razorback Report:  The Hogs did almost too good a job of making former HC Bob Petrino feel welcome on the Fayetteville sidelines.  Petrino's Missouri State Bears held a 27-17 lead with just 12:04 to play.  Then in a span of just over two minutes the Razorbacks crossed the double stripe on a 73-yard TD pass and an 82-yard punt return to take the lead for good at 31-27.  Throw in an insurance TD run from QB KJ Jefferson and Arkansas escaped with a 38-27 victory. Jefferson finished the day with 385 yards passing and two TDs with 40 yards rushing and a TD on the ground.  Up next for the Razorbacks is a trip to Death Star in Arlington to take on Texas A&M.  

This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...

The onshore breeze has a chill to it and the sun angle has changed just enough that I don't need a calendar to tell me that Autumn is here. 

Harris Ranch beef never disappoints.

We only got two pumpkins out of our garden this year, but they do look good in our Fall display. 

Until next time folks, remember that when you stray away from your rushing game, your offense will stall.

-The Commissioner 

Week 2 2022

Hey All,

Back after a triumphant road trip to Palo Alto, your favorite football pundit is here with another edition of the column that makes your Tuesdays feel like Saturdays, Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard.  We still miss you, Tom Kelly. 

USC 41- Stanford 28: Palo Alto, CA-  HC David Shaw and his Cardinal squad pulled out all the stops in an effort to upset the new-look Trojans in their first Pac 12 road game under new HC Lincoln Riley. Those stops included springing a new slow-mesh offense on the SC defense on a sloppy field meant to negate USC's speed advantage.  While the Trojan defense gave up chunks of yards, they forced three first half turnovers. The offense took advantage of those turnovers, scoring TDs on their first five drives of the game en route to a 35-14 halftime lead.  The Trojans did not come out as strong in the second half, adding just two more FGs while doing their best to keep the Cardinal at bay as the clock ticked down. When that clock hit triple zeroes, The Trojans picked up their first win up on The Farm since 2014. QB Caleb Williams completed 20 of 27 passes for 341 yards and four TDs.  WR Jordan Addison was his favorite target with seven catches for 172 yards and two TDs.  RB Travis Dye led all rushers with 105 yards on 14 carriers and a TD. His TD came on a run where the hole was large enough to drive a semi-truck through.  For the Cardinal, QB Tanner McKee completed 20 of 35 passes for 220 yards a TD and two huge interceptions.  RB E.J Smith gained 88 yards on 19 carries with a TD to lead the Stanford's rushing attack.  However, he did fumble twice. 

Telling Stat: +4 = W;  Yeah, they gave up a lot of yards, but the Trojan defense forced four turnovers with  three of them in the red zone and that was the difference in this game. 

Utah 73- Southern Utah 7: Salt Lake City, UT- There were two cathartic butt-kickings administered in the Pac 12 this week,  Utah claimed the first one when they took out all their frustrations from last week's loss at Florida on the poor ol' Southern Utah Thunderbirds.  After a 7-7 first quarter, the Utes went on a rampage putting up 38 second quarter points to end the competitive portion of the game.  Its was an everyone gets their letter game for the Utes as most of the starters sat the second half out.  QB Cam Rising completed 17 of 23 passes for 254 yards and three TDs.  SUU QB Grady Robinson scored the Thunderbirds only points on a 28-yard run in the first quarter. 

Telling Stat: 4 >2 = No Chance;  Utah allowed only two more first downs (4) than turnovers forced (2) in this non-contest in the Beehive State.

Washington State 17- Wisconsin 14: Madison, WI- The Cougars came into this game a 17 point underdog with a simple game plan.  They gambled that Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz could not beat them by himself. They were right.  He couldn't do it.  Did Wisconsin come in to this game overconfident? Yes.  However, you can't take away the fact that the Cougars speed on defense frustrated the Badgers all day.  The Cougars lined up eight and sometimes nine men in the box and dared Wisconsin to throw.  The WSU defense's speed and total selling out to stop the run constantly put the Badgers behind the chains.  WSU's defensive ends ran circles around the Badgers plodding offensive line. On the other side off the ball, despite their offensive line being a total sieve, the Cougars offense managed to make just enough positive plays to win.  Oh, and two other things happened that never happen at Wisconsin.  The Badgers were sloppy with the ball and they actually got called for holding several times.  Fast forward to the 5:12 mark of the third quarter.  WSU RB Nakia Watson, a Wisconsin transfer, rumbled 31 yards to paydirt to give the Cougs the lead for good at 17-14.  It started to sink in to the Badgers and their fans that they were in a real game, not some tuneup against some MAC team. Then as the clock ticked away and the Cougars made stop after stop, the Badgers choked. The Cougars hadn't really moved the ball well all day, but they ran off the final 5:14 off the clock to take the game and register a major upset. QB Cameron Ward completed 17 of 28 passes for 200 yards, a TD an two interceptions in the win for the Cougars while RB Braelon Allen of Wisconsin led all rushers with 100 yards on 21 carries.  

Telling Stat: 0 for 30:16;  For the final 30+ minutes of the game, the WSU defense pitched a shutout. They got pushed around, but never broke while making Badger QB Graham Mertz look like Fred Mertz.

Air Force 41- Colorado 10: Colorado Springs, CO- It was the first meeting of these two instate rivals at Air Force since 1974.  The Buffs may never come back again after the Falcons ran roughshod over the Buffaloes. Air Force ran the ball 70 times for 435 yards on HC Karl Dorrell's hapless squad.  USAFA RB Brad Roberts gashed the CU defense with 174 yards on 24 carries and three TDs.   Roberts outgained the entire Colorado offense which mustered only 162 total yards.  RB Deion Smith led what passed for Colorado's offense with 59 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown.  

Telling Stat: They didn't need the one;  Air Force never really took to the air, completing only one pass for eight yards in their rout of the Buffs. 

California 20 UNLV 14: Berkeley, CA- The skinny on Cal this year is that the Golden Bears have a fine defense, but their offense is lacking.  It looked early on like Cal's offense had shown up and was going to score at will on the Rebels. They jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead on two TDs from RB Jadyn Ott.  The first one was a two yard plunge and the second came on a 12-yard pass from QB Jack Plummer.  However, that would be it for the Golden Bears finding the end zone.  PK Dario Longhetto accounted for the rest of Cal's points on a pair of FGs that covered 21 and 30 yards. The Cal defense would have to stand strong to put this game in the win column and they did.  Cal held for downs on their own eight-yard line with 2:46 to play then snuffed out the Rebels final chance for the upset when CB Isiah Young picked off QB Doug Brumfield deep in Cal territory on the game's final play.  Plummer completed 28 of 39 passes for 278 yards, a TD and and interception to lead Cal's offense while Brumfield completed 18 of 33 passes for 206 yards, a TD and an interception in the loss for the Rebels.

Telling Stat 15 and 60 gets a W;  The Cal offense played a good first quarter gaining 215 of their 370 total yards and scoring both of their TDs while their defense played a full four quarters.  They held UNLV to 2 of 16 combined on third and fourth down conversions on the day. 

UCLA 45- Alabama State 7: Pasadena, CA- The bRuins continued to their series of glorified scrimmages to start the season at the Rose Bowl last Saturday.  The only thing really interesting about the game was that it was played as the remnants of Hurricane Kay hit the greater Los Angeles area.  Oh, and the fact that UCLA star QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson left the game early in the second quarter with an ankle injury. Thompson-Robinson's backup, Ethan Garbers easily guided the bRuins offense against the overmatched Hornets.  He completed 14 of 18 passes for 164 yards and ran for a pair of TDs to help UCLA build up a 31-7 half-time lead.  UCLA emptied the benches in the second half and went to tack on 14 more points to finish the rout. 

Telling Stat: Like a scrimmage;  Both teams emptied their benches in this light workout. About 150 players saw action last Saturday. 

Oregon State 35- Fresno State 32: Fresno, CA- Oh, it was a barnburner of a night game in the soul sucking heat and humidity of Fresno.  It was a game where both teams traded blows all night long with Oregon State HC Jonathan Smith taking a huge gamble and watching it pay off for the Beavers first win at Fresno State in seven tries.  With 1:05 to go in the game, the Bulldogs scored what they thought was the game-winning TD when WR Erik Brooks hauled in a four-yard pass from QB Jake Haener. The scoring drive covered 75 yards in just 45 seconds. OSU got the ball back on their own 27-yard after the kickoff and proceeded to march down the field against a gassed Fresno defense.  With :03 left, OSU had a first and goal at the Bulldogs two-yard line. Smith could be seen debating what to do next.  First, he sent out the FG unit to tie the game and go to overtime. Then, after Bulldogs HC Jeff Tedford called a time out to ice the kicker, Smith reconsidered the FG attempt and sent his offense back out to win the game in regulation.  OSU's jack of all trades, LB/RB/QB Jack Colletto took the game's final snap from the Wildcat formation.  He ran off right tackle almost untouched into the end zone for the win, leaving Valley Children's Stadium a stunned and silent place. Colletto had a great stat line to end the game.  Three carries for six yards and two TDs.  Haener led the Bulldogs attack completing 29 of 45 passes for 360 yards and a TD in the bitter defeat. 

Telling Stat: 3's instead of 7's = an L;  Fresno State ended six drives with field goal attempts. They made four of those, but if just one of those drives had ended up in the end zone, the Bulldogs would have won the game.    

Oklahoma State 34- Arizona State: 17: Stillwater, OK- The Sun Devils owned the first and third quarters while the Cowboys took the second and fourth quarters and the victory on a chippy night at Boone Pickens Stadium. Chippy, meaning both squads handed out cheap shots like door prizes.  Okie State trailed 3-0 to start the second quarter but put up 17 straight points on a three-yard run from RB Dominic Richardson, a six-yard jog to the end zone from QB Spencer Sanders and a 43-yard FG from PK Tanner Brown.  The Sons of Sparky took control out of the break.  They sandwiched a one-yard run TD run from RB Xazavian Valladay and a 21-yard TD pass from QB Emory Jones to WR Elijhah Badger around another Okie State field goal to cut their deficit to just 20-17 with 14:25 to play.  The Cowboys took over from there and put the game away with two more TD passes from Sanders that covered 31 and 14 yards.  Sanders and Richardson were a great one-two punch for the Pokes. Sanders completed 21 of 38 passes for 268 yards,  two TDs and an interception. He also ran for 54 yards on 14 carries and another score. Richardson toted the rock 27 times for 131 yards and a TD of his own. ASU's one-two offensive punch was not as strong enough as Jones completed 12 of 23 passes for 223 yards and a TD while Valladay gained 118 yards on 21 carries and a score of his own. 

Telling Stat: -2 for the W; The Oklahoma State defense held ASU to -2 yards over the final 14:25 of the game to ensure a victory for the Pokes. 

Oregon 70- Eastern Washington 14: Eugene, OR- The second frustration release rout in the Pac 12 this week belongs to the Quacks. After last week when Georgia did everything to the UO but cancel their charter flight home, the Men of Oregon tore the wings off the Eastern Washington Eagles of the big Sky Conference. Oregon did something they hadn't done yet this year.  They found the end zone.  QB Bo Nix torched EWU completing 28 of 33 passes for 277 yards and five TDs.  Nix took most of the second half off as did most of the Ducks starters.  Six different UO RBs and 14 different receivers handled the ball in this laugher at Uncle Phil's house. 

Telling Stat: They ran it up; Oregon racked up 40 first downs, 604 yards of offense and 10 TDs on the Eagles for the easy win.  

Washington 52- Portland State 6: Seattle, WA- The Huskies thrashed the Vikings to compete the Pac 12's 3-0 day against the Big Sky Conference.  The Dawgs bit early and often scouring five of their first six drives to eliminate any upset hopes the Sons of Neil Lomax had.  The Purple Gang left their starters in until the final period piling up the points and yardage.  OB Michael Penix, Jr.  cooly completed 20 of 27 aerials for 337 yards, a pair of TDs and an interception. UW also piled up rushing yards with RBs Wayne Taulapapa and Cameron Davis combining for 164 yards on 22 carries and three TDs.  PSU had no real offense to speak of.

Telling Stat: 131, 2 of 13= Easy W; The Washington defense held Portland State to 131 total yards and just 2 of 13 on third down conversions to set the stage for this mismatch on Montlake.

Mississippi State 39- Arizona 17: Tucson, AZ- The remains of hurricane Kay hit the southwest this week as Mike Leach, the pirate himself, came in from the east to play probably the latest starting game any SEC team has ever played.  Coincidence, I think not.  The Pirate's squad jumped out early on the Wildcats, held onto that lead and then dominated the fourth quarter to get the win.  UofA opened the scoring on the opening drive of the game, moving the ball 75 yards in eight plays for a touchdown when RB Michael Wiley scampered 34 yards to paydirt. MSU answered right back finding the end zone twice in a three minute span on a two nine-yard TD plays. RB Jo'quavious Marks ran for the first TD and a QB Will Rogers pass to WR Caleb Ducking, (Yes, I did mean to type Ducking). However, the Bulldogs failed on both PATs and led just 12-7.  The teams traded scores over the next two periods until MSU put the game away with two TDs in the final period. Rogers completed 39 of 49 passes for 313 yards with four TDs and an interception in the win.  UofA QB Jayden de Laura completed 23 of 45 passes for 220 yards, a TD and three huge interceptions for the Wildcats.

Telling Stat:  The Pirate had a defense;  Over the final two periods, HC Mike Leach saw his Bulldogs defense pick off two passes and hold for downs three other times to secure a road win.

Observations

...It did not age well;  This intrepid reporter stated last week that Alabama would blow the doors off Texas.  I, as well as Nick Saban, still can't believe it was a one-point game.

...Fear the Crimson W; Wazzu HC Jake Dickert's legend is growing by the day in the Palouse.  I hear that nobody really misses Nick Rolovich up there one bit.

...Big Ten way after dark;  It was a late start already, but when a weather delay pushed kickoff back an hour, the Hawaii-Michigan game didn't start until 9PM at the Big House.  

...Ping Pong = togetherness;  Mississippi State HC Mike Leach on the bond between his QB Will Rogers and WR Austin Williams, "Oh they're all buddy-buddy, they play ping pong and all the rest.  Who knows who wins? I'm sure they both lie about the results," Classic, coach. Just classic. 

...Just what they needed;  HC Sam Pittman is the best thing to happen to Arkansas football in at least 30 years.

...The wannabe Harley man returns;  Arkansas hosts Missouri State this week. That brings amateur motorcycle enthusiast Bob Petrino back to Fayetteville.  Hmmmm, I wonder if Hogs fans will give him a 21-Harley Salute or just the old fashioned digital kind.  

...Looking good in purple;  Nebraska transfer Adrian Martinez didn't look bad in leading the Wildcats to a 40-12 pasting of Missouri.

...A mean streak; It's great to see the USC offensive line block with bad intentions again. The amount Pancakes, Decleaters and Dead Roaches inflicted by this OL over the last two weeks warms this old man's heart. 

...Arms decline; ND QB Tyler Buchner is out for the year after getting injured v. Marshall. Pitt won't disclose QB Kedon Slovis' status after getting hurt v. Tennessee and Texas QB Quinn Ewers will miss 4-6 weeks after getting hurt v. Alabama.  Wow.

...Punchless Hawkeyes;  In two games this year, Iowa has gained 316 total yards and scored 14 points.  USC gained 391 yards and scored 35 points in the first half v. Stanford last week. 

...Oh, did they Thunder;  The Marshall Thundering Herd controlled the entire game en route to their 26-15 upset of Notre Dame in South Bend.  

...Almost halfway to a grand;  Illinois RB Chase Brown has rushed for 496 yards in three games to lead the nation in rushing. 

...A long road ahead; Navy is 0-2 and it looks like the ship is sinking for HC Ken Niumatalolo in Annapolis. 

...Head scratcher;  How is Penn State a three point favorite at Auburn this week?  

...What a homecoming;  As a kid growing up near Madison, WSU HC Jake Dickert used to sneak into Camp Randall Stadium to play on the field.  Last Saturday he walked out proud with a Badger pelt in hand.  About 200 or so family and friends were on hand to see his Cougs take down Wisconsin. 

...Quietly making noise; Washington is 2-0 and pounded the weak opponents on their early slate like they should. Michigan State may get a very rude reception at Husky Stadium this week. 

...Nice prize;  So what does App State get for taking down Texas A&M at Kyle Field?  They get to host College Gameday next week.  Gameday's coming to town may be the biggest thing to happen to Boone, North Carolina since electricity. 

...214-1;  Before losing to Georgia Southern, Nebraska had been 214-0 when scoring 35+ points at Memorial Stadium. 

...Over before it began;  After Florida beat Utah, Gator QB Anthony Richardson was spoken of as a Heisman candidate.  Kentucky ended Richardson's Heisman campaign a week later when they skinned the Gators in the swamp. 

...0-3; Marcus Freeman has started out at 0-3.  That's the worst start for a HC in Notre Dame history.  Even worse than Mr. Schematic Advantage himself, Charlie Weis. 

...The Helton effect;  Clay Helton has now left two major programs in disarray in two different ways.  He took the long route to bring USC to historical lows.  Then in four short quarters his Georgia Southern Eagles beat Nebraska leaving the Cornhuskers in abyss of pain and emptiness and HC Scott Frost unemployed.

...13 the hard way;  Kansas moved to 1-0 in Big 12 play with a 55-42 overtime win at West Virginia.  Winning a game by 13 points in overtime has happened only three times since 1996 when overtime began in FBS football. 

...A little over four million;  That's what Texas A&M, Nebraska and Notre Dame all paid to their opponents to be embarrassed bye them at home last Saturday. 

...Surprised;  I had Colorado HC Karl Dorell getting canned before now former Nebraska HC Scott Frost. I just didn't think NU would swallow that buyout.    

...Just a rumor;  There is no truth to the rumor that Iowa fans have asked the Iowa City Police Department to conduct a manhunt to find Iowa's missing offense.  The fact is they believe that it never existed anyway. 

...Now that's how to leave a job;  The one and only Coach Ed Orgeron handled his firing form LSU in a pretty special way.  Happy Trail$

Pac 12 Overreactions

Wazzu will never be on Wisconsin's schedule ever again.

USC doesn't have a strong enough defense to be ranked #7.

Washington hopes nobody starts noticing how much better they are than last year.

Arizona is a 6-6 team.

Oregon State is the best team in the Pac 12 north of Los Angeles

UCLA will eventually play a game where there are more fans in the stands than players on the field. 

Stanford never wanted Clay Helton to ever leave SC.

Colorado will find a way to lose 13 games on a 12 game schedule.

Cal is a 7-5 team.

Utah will win 10 games on spite alone.

ASU is a 4-8 team.

Oregon scored 70 points and nobody cares.

Ugly Uniform of the Week

We go to the NFL for this week's award as the Seattle Seahawks looked at Oregon's ugliness last week and said, "Hold my beer."  These nuclear waste puke green togs should just be thrown into an incinerator.

Departments 

Low Score Game of the Week: Throggs Neck, NY- This week's game comes form the D-III level. Since SUNY- Maritime became an NCAA football school in 2009 they have built up quite little rivalry with Massachusetts Maritime.  Their rivalry game is known as the Chowder Bowl. With 3:15 left in the final period SUNY-Maritime QB Steven Stassi connected with WR Ian Derda for a 21-yard TD pass.  That pass brought the Privateers back from a 14-3 defiict to beat the the Massachusetts Maritime Buccaneers, 17-14.  The Privateers now own the Chowder Bowl Trophy and one year's worth of bragging rights over their sea faring brethren.  

Best Game Almost Nobody Saw Last Week: Dudley, MA- We stay on the D-III level where 1,135 folks saw the Nichols College Bison score the final 14 points to beat the Dean Bulldogs, 71-55. The two teams combined for over 1,000 yards of offense and 18 touchdowns last Friday night.  QB Xavier Powell completed 12 of 23 passes for 198 yards and two TDs through the air and ran for 55 yards and three more scores for the victorious Bison.  QB Nathan Cisco threw for 346 yards and six TDs in defeat for Dean.

Razorback Report: Fayetteville, AR- The Hogs are 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the SEC after beating South Carolina, 44-30.  A 23 point fourth quarter sealed the game for HC Sam Pittman's boys. The Hogs ran all over the Gamecocks, racking up 295 rushing yards. RB Raheim Sanders led all rushers with 156 yards and two TDs on 24 carries.  Up next for Arkansas is a home date with FCS foe Missouri State. 

This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...

The overwhelming scent of garlic in Gilroy, California is something you just have to experience to believe. 

A good acupressure mat is worth its' weight in gold.

I really need to stop at a roadside farmstand next road trip. 

Until Next Time, remember that if you don't play hard for a full four quarters, losses will happen.

-The Commissioner

Week 1, 2022

Hey All,

Welcome to the first in-season installment for 2022 of Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard.  We still miss you, Alan Malamud.

Summaries 

USC 66- Rice 14: Los Angeles, CA- The hype had been building all offseason as soon as Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for USC. Well, after all the bluster and fuss, it finally came time for toe to meet leather last Saturday. The Lincoln Riley era at USC started with a blowout in the oppressive Coliseum heat.  Kickoff temps near 110 degrees on the field wouldn't keep the Trojans from dominating the Owls.  After a sluggish first quarter which saw OU transfer QB Caleb Williams connect for a short TD pass to Pitt transfer WR Jordan Addison and Rice answer back with a score to tie things up, the Men of Troy then turned that 7-7 tie into a 31-7 halftime lead.  They did so on pair of TD runs by RBs Austin Jones and Raleek Brown, a 93-yard pick six from Safety Calen Bullock and a 25-yard FG from PK Denis Lynch.  The Trojan defense then put the game out of reach with not one, but two more pick sixes in a :48 span at the start of the third quarter.  LBs Shane Lee and Ralen Goforth did the honors with returns of 40 and 31 yards. Williams would find Addison for another score and Jones would score again before the quarter ended to extend SC's lead to 59-14. RB Darwin Barlow capped off the scoring with a 2-yard run midway through the final stanza. Caleb Williams' Trojan debut was an efficient one with him completing 19 of 22 passes for 249 yards and two TDs. He also ran the ball six times for 68 yards. For the Owls, QBs Wiley Green and T.J. McMahon combined to complete 14 of 28 passes for 134 yards and four costly interceptions.

Telling Stat: D-21; USC's defense outscored Rice all by themselves, 21-14.  The Trojans' three pick sixes in a game are a Pac 12 record. 

TCU 38- Colorado 13: Boulder, CO- Former Cal HC and now new TCU HC Sonny Dykes started off his tenure in Fort Worth with a win thanks to a huge second half by the Horned Frogs on both sides of the ball.  The first half was a struggle with Colorado piling up yards and time of possession but not the lead.  TCU took a 7-6 lead into the intermission.  The Horned Frogs then scored the first five times they had the ball in the second half to put the game solidly in the win column.  TCU QB Chandler Morris didn't light up the stat sheet because he didn't have to. The Frogs ran for 275 yards on the Buffs.  It truly was a team rushing effort. Eight different backs carried the ball and four of them found paydirt.  For the hapless Buffaloes backup QB J.T Shrout threw for 157 yards an a TD in relief of the ineffectual Brendan Lewis. 

Telling Stat: Defense when they needed it; TCU stopped three Colorado drives that crossed into the red zone.  CU only managed two field goals and was stopped for downs once one those drives. 

Arizona State 40- Northern Arizona 3: Tempe, AZ- Last offseason was basically a dumpster fire for ASU. Assistant coach firings, players exiting at a rapid rate due to an NCAA investigation and HC Herm Edwards receiving a big Tammy Wynette from his AD led to 51 new Sun Devils in uniform to take on the Lumberjacks from Flagstaff. Things started off sluggishly for the Sun Devils, but a 21-point second quarter put this one away early in the desert. Florida transfer QB Emory Jones paced the ASU attack by completing 13 of 18 passes for 152 yards.  He also ran for 48 yards on 11 carries and a pair of scores.  Wyoming transfer Xazavian Valladay led all rushers with 116 yards on 15 carries and a two TDs of his own. ASU PK Carfter Brown had a fine game going 4/4 FG attempts with a long of 44 yards. The NAU offense had a great deal of trouble with QB RJ Martinez throwing for just 97 yards and two interceptions.

Telling Stat: 16; ASU allowed only 16 more yards (120) than the game time temp was (104) at Sun Devil Stadium last Thursday Night. 

Georgia 49- Oregon 3: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA- The Defending National Champion Georgia Bulldogs came into this "neutral site" game facing question mark about how their defense would rebound after having five players taken in the first round of the NFL draft. Looks like those concerns were for not as the new Bulldogs defense beat up the Ducks for a full four quarters.  UO's offense couldn't cross the street much less put together any meaningful drives while the Georgia offense found the end zone on their first seven possessions. QB Stetson Bennett torched the Quacks secondary completing 25 of 31 passes for 368 yards and a pair of scores.  Stetson's backup, Carson Beck also did well in mop-up duty completing five of six passes for 71 yards and another TD.  UO QB and Auburn transfer, Bo Nix had a rough game completing 21 of 37 passes for 173 yards and two interceptions. 

Telling Stat: Oh did they march in Georgia;  The Bulldogs treated the Ducks defense like they were the  Italian Army.  UGa's seven TD drives averaged 78 yards in only eight plays. 

UCLA 45- Bowling Green 17: Pasadena, CA- In 102+ degree heat, a smattering of fans turned out to watch the bRuins fall behind early, 17-7 to a spirited Falcons squad.  However, around the beginning of the second quarter the bRuins got their offense in high gear and whipped Bowling Green over the final three periods. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson led the bRuins with his arm and his legs. He completed 32 of 43 aerials for 298 yards, two TDs and a pick.  He also ran for 87 yards on seven carries which included a 68-yard TD jaunt.  Fellow bRuin RB Zack Charbonnet gashed the Falcons for 111 yards on 21 rushes and a TD of his own.  Son of former USC All-American QB Paul McDonald, Matt McDonald completed 17 off 34 passes for 125 yards and a TD in the losing effort. 

Telling Stat: 38-0 in 43= W; UCLA scored 38 unanswered points while racking up 404 yards of offense over the final 43+ minutes to easily put away Bowling Green. 

Arizona 38- San Diego State 20: San Diego, CA- It was a huge day for SDSU.  It was the debut of the Aztecs in their new yard which goes by the name of Snapdragon Stadium.  Those who filled the new grounds expected to see their Aztecs take out the hapless Wildcats as they had done last year in Tucson.  The Wildcats showed up, but were unwilling to go along with the plan.  UofA led by Wazzu transfer QB Jayden de Laura pretty much controlled the action from start to finish.  UofA turned a 24-10 halftime edge into a 31-10 lead on the first drive of the third quarter. WR Jacob Cowing hauled in a 25-yard pass from de Laura for the score. SDSU did close the gap to 31-20 midway early in the fourth quarter.  UofA then sealed the game on the ensuing possession by traveling 75 yards in 12 plays for a TD. RB DJ Willams did the honors when he crossed the double stripe from 10 yards out. de Laura played well for the Wildcats in his debut.  He completed 22 of 35 passes for 299 yards, four TDs and an interception.  For the inept SDSU offense, QB Braxton Burmeister completed only five of  10 tosses for 51 yards, a TD and an interception.  

Telling Stat: Immobile Aztecs;  Arizona held SDSU to just 3 yards per play on first down and a paltry 2 of 11 on third down conversions to control this game. 

California- 34 UC Davis 13: Berkeley, CA- The Aggies came to Strawberry Canyon with what was touted as their strongest team in many years.  After a first quarter where they led 7-0 and held Cal to minus -1 yard of offense, it looked like Davis might actually upset the Golden Bears.  Then, the second quarter started. Cal's offense got rolling and the Aggies hopes of a first ever win over their UC brethren were dashed.  The second period saw the Bears shift to a more up tempo attack that paid off in 17 straight points on a pair of short TD passes from Purdue transfer QB Jack Plummer to WR Jeremiah Hunter and RB Jadyn Ott along with a 32-yard FG from PK Dario Longhetto.  Cal then extended the lead to 24-7 just :40 into the third quarter when DB Craig Woodson snagged an errant throw from Aggie QB Miles Hastings and ran it back 39 yards for a touchdown.  UCD answered that TD with a 60-yard TD run by RB Alonzo Gilliam, Jr. to cut their deficit to 24-14.  However the Aggies wouldn't tally another point. Cal would get another score on a 41-yard FG from Longhetto and would then cap off the scoring on Plummer's third TD pass of the day.  Plummer ended up completing 23 of 35 passes for 268 yards, three TD s and an interception.  Gilliam was a bright spot for Davis with 115 yards rushing on 14 carriers and that long TD run.

Telling Stat: 0 for 29:04 = W; Cal's defense held UC Davis scoreless for the final 29:04 of the game to ensure the victory. 

Florida 29- Utah 26: Gainesville, FL- Utah was the sexy dark horse pick to make the CFP this year. They actually ditched their usual slate of cupcakes to open the year in SEC country. They tried to announce their presence with authority in 2022 by taking on a rebuilding Florida squad in the Swamp.  Utah got a Florida squad that was ready for them under new HC Billy Napier. The two teams traded punches for a full four quarters with Utah making just enough mistakes to lose. A goal line stand, a failed two point conversion and a late interception doomed the Utes.  This game also served as the coming out party for Gator QB Anthony Richardson.  Richardson ran around and threw over the Utah defense all game long.  He completed 17 of 24 passes for 168 yards and rushed for 111 yards and three TDs. His last TD proved the be the game-winning score, but Utah forced Florida to hold on for dear life before it was all over.  On the final drive of the game QB Cameron Rising led a 69-yard drive that put the Utes on the UF six-yard line with 22 seconds left. On 2nd and Goal, Rising's pass to the end zone was intercepted by LB Amari Burney.  The Ben Hill-Griffin Stadium crowd erupted.  Utah and the Pac 12 were dealt another bad non conference loss. Utah's three headed offensive monster did well in the loss.  Rising threw for 216 yards a TD and an interception.  RB Tavion Thomas gained 115 yards on 23 carries and a score, while TE Brent Kuithe grabbed nine passes for 105 yards and a TD.  

Telling Stat: A slip and a fumble = L;  Utah RB Tavion Thomas slipped and fell in the backfield on a goal line run, then two plays later fumbled on fourth down just outside the goal line to kill a Utah drive.  A TD on that third quarter drive would have given the Utes a win in The Swamp. 

Stanford 41- Colgate 10: Palo Alto, CA- The Red Raiders of the Patriot League in the FCS made the cross country journey to take on the Cardinal.  They hoped to play the Cardinal tough. Those hopes were dashed on the first play from scrimmage when Cardinal RB E.J. Smith, (Yes, he's Emmit's kid), took a handoff 80 yards to the house. HC David Shaw's Cardinal showed off a more pass-oriented offense with QB Tanner McKee throwing for 308 yards and a pair of scores in a little over three quarters worth of work. Up 35-10 to start the fourth quarter, Stanford emptied the benches and cruised to the rest of the way.  Including that big run, Smith let all rushers with 118 yards on 11 carries and two TDs.

Telling Stat: Over at 7;  Stanford's win snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Cardinal.

Washington State 24- Idaho 17: Pullman, WA: These two border rivals put on a tight contest after dark in the Palouse. New WSU QB Cameron Ward, a transfer from that football power Incarnate Word, picked up his first win as a Cougar over a pesky bunch of Vandals.  Things didn't start well for the Cougs.  Two fumbles, (one returned for a TD), two punts and a missed FG saw the Vandals carry a 10-0 lead deep into the second quarter.  Ward then got the Wazzu offense going through the air.  On an all-passing play drive, Ward accounted for all 80 yards completing eight of nine passes.  The drive capper was a three-yard toss to WR Renard Bell.  On the ensuing possession, the WSU defense picked off Idaho QB Gevani McCoy at the Vandals 27-yard line.  A few plays later, PK Dean Janikowski knotted the score at 10-10 with a 34-yard FG. Coming out of the break, the Wazzu defense held the Vandals for downs, then marched 58 yards in eight plays for the go ahead touchdown. The score was an eight-yard pass from Ward to WR De'Zhaun Stribling.  WSU would extend their lead to 24-10 on Ward's third TD pass of the night.  This one was to WR Jaylen Jenkins for eight yards. Idaho tightened the game right back upon with a 23-yard TD pass from McCoy to WR Jordan Dwyer.  Idaho would get one last shot to tie the game, but McCoy's last pass was intercepted to end the contest.  Ward had a good night completing 25 of 40 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns.  McCoy led the Vandals attack completing 21of 32 tosses for 212 yards, a TD and two interceptions. 

Telling Stat: 4th down defense wins the night;  Wazzu held Idaho to three of seven on fourth down conversions to hold off the Vandals. 

Oregon State 34- Boise State 17: Corvallis, OR- OSU came out strong on both sides of the ball to dominate the first half, then traded scores with the Broncos the rest of the way en route to a nice win.  The Beavers scored 17 points off turnovers in the first half which led to their 24-0 lead at intermission.  The second half saw the Broncos offense come to life when QB Hank Bachmeier was replaced by Taylen Green. Green galloped 74 yards for one score and then ran four yards for another.  Suddenly, OSU found themselves in a game, hanging onto a 27-17 lead early in the final quarter.  The Beavers put away the game when LB/RB Jack Colletto ran over the BSU defense for 41-yard TD with 10:39 to play.  OSU QB Chance Nolan completed 14 of 23 passes for 251 yards with two TDs and two interceptions.  In one half of work, Green was the Boise offense. He ran for 102 yards and two TDs on 11 carries and completed 19 of 28 passes for 155 yards and an interception. 

Telling Stat: 24-0 for 30;  Oregon State's defense dominated the first half, forcing four turnovers, four punts and held for downs once which enabled the Beavers offense to build up a 24-0 lead that they would not relinquish. 

Washington 45- Kent State 20: Seattle, WA- After last year's embarrassing home opener loss to Montana, New Husky HC Kalen DeBoer made sure his squad was ready for Kent State.  Indiana transfer QB Michael Penix, Jr.  carried out his new coach's instructions well in leading the Dawgs to a 31-13 halftime lead.  A lead that let the Husky faithful believe that a new era has begun on Montlake.  Penix led the UW offense to TDs on their first four possessions. The Dawgs didn't look back after that adding a field goal before the half. The second half turned into a glorified scrimmage with the Huskies tagging on two more TDs. Penix looked great completing 26 of 39 tosses for 345 yards and four scores.  He also ran for 27 yards on four carries.  For the outclassed Golden Flashes, QB Collin Schlee completed 12 of 24 passes for 178 yards, a TD and two interceptions. 

Telling Stat: A quick start;  UW's 21-point first quarter set Kent State back on their heels and the Golden Flashes couldn't fight their way back into the game. 

Observations

...Happiness is a thing; The national hype train has long left the station for this year's SC team, but most Trojans fans experienced something they hadn't had in a very long time... happiness.  Just whipping an overmatched Rice Owls squad had folks leaving the Coliseum happy after a game for the first time in many years. 

...A new category needed;  QBs need a category to record interceptions that weren't their fault.  The pick six that handed Pitt the win over West Virginia was not even close to being JT Daniels' fault. 

...Chance encounter;  While getting away from the stifling heat in our seats, my family sought to cool off in the upper concourse of the Coliseum last Saturday.  It was there that this intrepid reporter met one of his all-time baseball heroes, Bobby Grich.  The former Angels great was a pleasure to talk to and gracious with his time. Sometimes it is good to meet one of your heroes. 

...7:15 PM PDT 9/3/2022;  That's approximately when Utah lost to Florida. That's also when the Pac 12's chances of reaching the college football playoff were put on life support. 

...Always a crack up;  This video has been around for a few years.  It is hilarious and also a reminder that you have to coach your team the fundamentals. Parental Facepalm

...Lighten up, Francis;  Aggie fans and pundits were dumping on Texas A&M after their seemingly lackluster 31-0 pasting of FCS power Sam Houston State. With TAMU holding a 17-0 lead at the half, torrential rains and lightning delayed the game for three hours. Hey Aggie fans, just be happy you got the win and nobody was seriously hurt after the long delay.

...They sunk the Navy;  How about those Fightin' Blue Hens of Delaware and their 14-7 upset of the Midshipmen!

...Get that man a cold one; According to this post game interview, Arkansas HC Sam Pittman was in need of a cold beverage after his Hogs defeated Cincinnati, 24-17.  Sam needs a drink

...Irony thy name is Polian;  Poor special teams play cost LSU their game with Florida State which is truly ironic because the only assistant coach to go with HC Brian Kelly from Notre Dame to LSU is Special Teams Coordinator Brian Polian. 

...If you know, you know;  When LSU's PAT failed this scene immediately flashed through my mind.

...Fun while it lasts;  Currently Indiana and Northwestern are the divisional leaders in the Big Ten. 

...A legal play in down under;  South Carolina State Punter Dyson Roberts executed a fake punt pretty well then had a brain cramp and punted the ball well past the line scrimmage. Aussie Rules

...A correction; I told family in the stands that the last time USC finished with 66 points, it was against Utah State back in 1989.  I was wrong.  SC hung 66 on UCLA in 2005. 

...Could be fun; This year's Tennessee-Vandy game could be a blast.

...That time of year;  When I hear commercials for Farm Bureau Insurance, alumni clubs, pancake breakfasts, coaches shows and local burger joints, I must be listening to college football on SiriusXM. 

...Almost half;  48% of all starting QBs in the FBS this year are transfers.  Instead of the Transfer Portal, the NCAA should just call this College Free Agency.

...Always fashionably late; The Ivy League won't start play until two Saturdays from now.  However, Harvard will get in a game on 9/16 v. Merrimack College. The Crimson and Dartmouth are favored to battle it out for the title in the Ancient Eight. 

...Defensive delusion;  Iowa fans who watched the Hawkeyes beat FCS Foe South Dakota State 7-3 on a field goal and two, yes two, safeties comfort themselves by saying they won with defense.  The part they aren't saying out loud is that if their sputtering offense keeps sputtering they know the OC won't be replaced.  Why?  Because he's HC Kirk Ferentz's son, Brian.  The Iowa City Press-Citizen summed up the Hawkeyes lack of offense with this great headline.

...He's #10; Stanford HC David Shaw sits all alone in 10th place for career wins by a Pac 12 HC.  The Cardinal's win over Colgate was his 94th.  With the win he surpassed former OSU headman Mike Riley and Wazzu legend Babe Hollingberry.  He's now a win away from moving into a ninth place tie with Arizona's Dick Tomey. 

...Must SC-TV;  USC's week three and four opponents face off with each other this week when Fresno State hosts Oregon State in the soul-sucking heat of Fresno.

...A big number;  Who besides me thinks that Alabama is just gonna destroy Texas this week? 

...Anonymously good;  The best QB nobody saw play last Saturday was UCLA's Dorian Thompson-Robinson.  Couple the bRuins announced crowd of 27,000 plus a lackluster Pac 12 Network audience and you have the closest thing to anonymity in major college football.

Pac 12 Overreactions

Utah will lose three more games.

Arizona is bowl bound.

UCLA's home game attendance will be < 100,000 total for their first 4 games.

Phil Knight will tell Oregon he wants all his money back.

Washington will win at least eight games this year.

Oregon State is a 9-win team. 

Wazzu will be 6-6 at best.

ASU will be good until the NCAA hammer drops.

Cal will go 7-5.

Colorado will go 0-12.

USC will score 50+  points in a game 5 times this year.

Stanford will go to a bowl this year. 

CFL Update

For all of you who were just jonesing for a report about the 110-yard game, here it is.  We are about two-thirds of the way through the season and Winnipeg is the team to beat.  The Blue Bombers own the CFL's best record at 12-1 and have a two game lead over the BC Lions in the Western Division. The Eastern Division is a mess with the Toronto Argonauts being the only team with a wining record at 6-5.  The Commissioner's favorite team, the Edmonton Elks, are in last place in the West at 3-9.  Sigh.       

Ugly Uniform of the Week

Hey Oregon! Welcome back! Yeah, there's always a reserved seat for you in this part of the blog.  To paraphrase the legendary Dean Wormer of Faber College, destroying what's left of the Pac 12's reputation by getting pummeled by Georgia in butt-ugly uniforms is no way to go through life.

Departments

Low Score Game of the Week: Easton, PA- We go to the FCS for this game where the Lafayette Leopards kicked off their 141st football season with a hard fought, 6-0 win over the Sacred Heart Pioneers.  The Leopards tallied the only points of the game when QB Ryan Schuster broke contain and sprinted 18 yards to the end zone in the third quarter.  The Leopard defense worked hard until the very end when they made a goal line stand to secure the win.  Sacred Heart RB Malik Grant was stopped on 3rd and goal at the Lafayette one-yard line as time expired to the delight of the home crowd and HC John Troxell who picked his first win as the new leader of the Leopards. 

Blowout Game of the Week: Baton Rouge, LA- This game comes from the FCS as well. The Jaguars of Southern University opened their season with an 86-0 dismantling of the Florida Memorial University Lions of the NAIA.  The Jaguars struck early and often rolling up a 42-0 lead in the first quarter.  The Jags cruised after that playing everyone but the tuba players in the rout.  Eight different ball carriers combined for 396 yards rushing and seven TDs.  The Jags defense held FMU to just 92 total yards.  The final score was ugly and so was the penalty total as the two teams committed a total of 27 penalties fro 215 yards. 

Razorback Report: Fayetteville, AR- Coming of a 9-4 2021 campaign under HC Sam Pittman, the Razorbacks hosted the Cincinnati Bearcats to start the 2022 season.  Cincy came in off a an appearance in the CFP last year.  This game was nail-bitter that showed the Hogs are not just a one-season wonder.  Arkansas used a strong defensive effort and the many talents of QB K.J. Jefferson to tame the Bearcats. Jefferson accounted for all four of the Hogs TDs in the 31-24 victory.  He completed 18 of 26 passes for 233 yards and three TDs to go with 62 yards rushing and another score.  Hogs RB Raheim Sanders toted the rock 20 times for 117 yards to lead all rushers.  Up next for Arkansas is their SEC opener v. South Carolina.  

This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...

The Donuttery in Huntington Beach gets two sugary thumbs up from me.  My lovely wife recently introduced me to this slice of donut heaven.  

San Pedro has so many stop signs and nobody ever really obeys them. 

Grilling up steaks and burgers in the backyard on Labor Day may be the most American thing a guy can do. 

Until next time folks, remember that being 1-0 is a helluva lot better than being 0-1. 

-The Commissioner.