November is now upon us. That means Turkey Day is approaching, Christmas lists start being made and college football is racing towards the end of the regular season. Take a look back at last Saturday now with yet another edition of Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard. We still miss you, Mal Florence.
Washington 52- USC 42: Los Angeles, CA- In what would prove to be USC DC Alex Grinch's final game on a Trojan sideline, his unorganized, porous defense wiped out a great effort by SC's offense in a frustrating loss to the Huskies. With as bad as the defense is, everyone knew the USC offense had to be prefect to have chance to win a shootout and they weren't. With the game tied at 28-28 with 1:14 left to play in the second quarter, USC had a 1st and 10 at their own 25-yard line. UW had just tied the score on a four-yard TD toss from QB Michael Penix, Jr. and USC needed one more score before the half to keep ahead of the Dawgs who would get the ball to start the second half. They didn't. Instead, SC QB Caleb Williams was hit in the backfield and fumbled. UW took over on the SC 12-yard line. Three plays later, UW RB Dillon Johnson ran in untouched form a yard out and the Huskies owned a 35-28 lead at the break. The Huskies took the second half kickoff and glided down the field with ease to the SC 21-yard line. On 1st and 10 from the 21, Penix, Jr. had his pass tipped inside the five and intercepted by SC CB Christian Roland-Wallace for a touchback. The UW defense, being only slightly better than the SC defense, watched as the Trojans marched 83 yards in seven plays to tie the game on a 25-yard TD pass from Williams to WR Brenden Rice. The teams traded TDs to make the score 42-42 with 1:41 left in the third quarter. On the ensuing drive the SC defense actually kept UW out of the end zone. UW did take the lead again on a 43-yard FG from PK Grady Gross. It was USC's turn with the ball again and the Trojans drove to the Dawgs 30-yard line where they faced a 3rd and 10 after having a go ahead TD wiped off the board because of a holding call. Williams was sacked an SC was was forced to punt. Punter Eddie Czaplicki's kick was downed at the UW nine-yard line. Could the SC defense finally get a crucial stop? Could they put their offense in position to win the game? Uhhhhh, no. On first down, they let Johnson sprint 53 yards down then sideline to the SC 38-yard line. A few plays later, Johnson crossed over the goal line for a TD that gave the Dawgs a 52-42 lead and the game. In the win, Johnson had a career day, carrying the ball 26 times for 256 yards and four TDs, while Penix, Jr. completed 22 of 30 passes for 256 yards, two TDs and an interception. In the loss, Williams completed 27 of 35 passes for 312 yards and three TDs. He also ran for 16 yards and a score. His top receiver was Tahj Washington who caught eight passes for 122 yards and a TD. RB Austin Jones carried the ball 11 times for 127 yards to further aid the Trojan cause.
Telling Stat: No D= L; The SC defense as coordinated by Alex Grinch gave up 52 points and 572 yards to Washington.
Utah 55- Arizona State 3: Salt Lake City, UT- After being humiliated last week at home by Oregon, the Utes gave the home fans plenty to cheer about last Saturday as they did everything to the Sun Devils short of flattening the tires on the team bus. The Utes took the opening kickoff and promptly traveled 72 yards in eight plays for a 7-0 lead when QB Bryson Barnes connected with TE Devaughn Vele for an 11-yard TD strike. The game would never be that close again. While Utah's offense methodically piled up points in every quarter, the ASU offense couldn't cross the street much generate any points. The Sun Devils only had 27 total yards at the half and 83 total for the game. In fact, their only three points came as the result of a long kickoff return rather than any kind of drive by their offense. Meanwhile Barnes finished the game completing 19 of 28 passes for 161 yards and four TDs, while RB Ja'Quinden Jackson rushed the ball 13 times for 111 yards and a TD. As a team, the Utes ran the ball 49 times for 352 yards.
Telling Stat: They couldn't move the chains; In a very impressive defensive effort, Utah held ASU to a meager six first downs and 83 total yards. The Sun Devils ran 62 plays, so that works out a a very ugly, 1.33 yards per play.
Oregon 63- California 19: Eugene, OR- This first quarter plus of game action saw the Ducks throw an interception, fumble a ball to Cal that was returned for a TD and then miss a FG. However, UO still held a 14-10 lead after these miscues. The Webfoots then relaxed and realized that they were Oregon and that Cal was Cal. The Quacks then found the end zone on seven their last eight possessions to blow the doors off the Golden Bears. UO QB Bo Nix sliced and diced the Cal secondary, completing 29 of 38 passes for 386 yards, four TDs and an interception. His backup, Ty Thompson also had a good day in mop up duty, completing six of eight passes for 58 yards and a score. WR Tez Johnson hauled in 12 passes for 180 yards and two TDs to lead the way for the UO receiving corps. As for the ground attack, RB Bucky Irving carried the ball 18 times for 89 yards and a TD. For the Bears, QB Fernando Mendoza completed 18 of 34 tosses for 177 yards an and interception, while RB Jaydn Ott rushed 20 times for 93 yards and a score.
Telling Stat: 7 of 8 is great; Oregon's seven TDs in eight drives sent everyone out of Autzen Stadium early in this laugher.
Stanford 10- Washington State 7: Pullman, WA- On a wet and chilly night an ugly, defensive Big Ten style struggle played out in the Palouse. When it was over, the Cardinal snapped a six-game losing streak to the Cougars. Wazzu's high flying offense was hobbled by the absence of RB Dylan Paine and then the loss of fellow RB Nakia Watson after only two carries. Defense reigned here from the get go with the only score of the first half coming with 6:18 to play in the second quarter. WSU scored to complete a drive of 80 yards in nine plays when QB Cameron Ward threw a nine-yard TD pass to WR Josh Kelly. Just before the half, Stanford eschewed a FG attempt and went for it on 4th and 1 at the Cougars 14-yard line. SU QB Justin Lamson was halted for no gain on the play and Wazzu took over on downs and took a 7-0 lead into the half. In the middle of the third quarter, Stanford got the spark it needed when Safety Scotty Edwards picked off Ward on the Cardinal's 47-yard line. Seven plays later, Lamson took the snap and rumbled over the right side for a TD. PK Josh Karty's PAT leveled the score at 7-7 with 2:55 left in the third period. Then with :05 left in the period, WSU DB Jamorri Colson picked off QB Ashton Daniels at the SU 35-yard line. This should have led to a score for the Cougs, but the Cardinal defense stood strong and forced a 43-yard FG attempt by PK Dean Janikowski which sailed wide and the game remained tied. Stanford then forged ahead on a drive that covered 61 yards and shaved nearly six minutes off the clock. The game-winning points for SU came via a 31-yard FG by Karty. The Cardinal defense then forced a three-and-out to force a punt on the Cougs next drive with 5:02 left. WSU wouldn't get the ball again as Stanford then ran out the clock with one of the shortest drives ever to kill the final five minutes as it lasted 10 plays and covered just 22 yards. For the Cardinal, the QB Duo of Daniels and Lamson played well enough to win. Daniels compared 15 of 31 passes for 115 yards and an interception while also rushing for 18 yards on nine carries. Lamson rushed 20 timed for 54 yards and a TD while also completing his only passing attempt for 27 yards. For the now 4-5 Cougars, Ward completed 24 of 40 passes for 241 yards with a TD and an interception.
Telling Stat: They finished strong; Stanford sealed the win by owning the fourth quarter. They outgained Wazzu, 83 yards to five and held the ball for 11:06 of the final 11:54 of the contest.
Oregon State 26- Colorado 19: Boulder, CA- The Beavers withstood a late Buffs rally to grab a win after falling at Arizona last week. Colorado HC Deion Sanders, in an effort to address problems his offense has had this year protecting QB Shedeur Sanders, demoted OC Sean Lewis and replaced him with Pat Shurmur. The result was a CU offense that only marginally protected Sanders better and did not find the end zone until the final quarter. Both teams turned the ball over twice in the first half, but the Beavers managed to forge a 14-3 lead thanks to a 23-yard TD run from RB Aiden Chiles and a 20-yard TD pass from QB D.J. Uiagalelei to WR Deshaun Fenwick. After forcing a CU punt to start the third quarter, OSU went on an 85-yard drive that took 7:24 off the clock for a TD. The TD was scored on the Beavers version of a brotherly shove across the double stripe from a yard out. Up 20-3, Colorado was penalized on the PAT and OSU decided to go for two points from the close the one-yard line. That was a bad call. A high snap sailed through hands of Uiagalelei and was scooped up by DB Kyndrich Breedlove who took it all the way to the house for a defensive two-point conversion. Colorado now trailed 20-5 and had a little spark going into the final quarter. After OSU PK Atticus Sappington booted a 22-yard FG, the Buffaloes got two late TDs on a pair of throws from Sanders. The first one was a 15-yarder to WR/DB Travis Hunter and a 12-yarder to RB Anthony Hankerson. After the second TD, OSU managed to run the final 1:42 off the clock and walkout of Boulder with the win. Uiagalelei completed 12 of 24 passes for 223 yards and a TD to go with 16 yards rushing on 11 carriers and another score. His backfield mate, Damien Martinez lugged the leather 21 times for 115 yards to lead all rushers. For the now 4-5 Buffaloes, Shedeur Sanders completed 24 of 39 passes for 245 yards and two TDs.
Telling Stat: Nowhere to run; The OSU defense had four sacks and held the Buffaloes to -7 yards rushing to help pave the way to victory.
Arizona 27- UCLA 10: Tucson, AZ- The surging Wildcats hosted the Bruins and their vaunted defense on a clear desert evening. UofA went on to grind out an impressive physical win over the mistake prone bRuins. UCLA wrapped a pair of missed FGs from PK Blake Glessner around a nine-yard TD pass from Cats QB Noah Fifita to WR Montana Lemonious-Craig to find themselves down 7-0 midway into the second stanza. UofA would go up 14-0 with 1:27 left in the half when Fifita threw another nine-yard TD pass. This one was to TE Jacob Cowuing for a 14-0 lead. However, UCLA would then sweep down the field on the ensuing drive with QB Ethan Garbers throwing a 14-yard scoring strike to WR Carson Ryan on the last play of the half. Despite their lackluster efforts so far that score left UCLA in the game down just seven to start the third quarter. The Wildcats opened up a 17-7 lead after taking nearly half the third quarter to travel 55 yards for a 37-yard FG from PK Tyler Loop. UCLA answered right back with a 29-yard FG from Glassner. Things then went downhill in hurry for the Sons of Westwood. The Cats then went up 24-10 on a drive that was aided by a facemark on the bRuins that resulted in a 1st and 10 at their own 11-yard line. The TD drive was capped off with an 11-yard scoring pass from Fafita to WR Tetairoa McMillan. On the next possession, UCLA lost Garbers for the game when he injured his knee while being sacked on first down. Much hyped Freshman Donte Moore came in and was ineffective in relief until he was injured after his head slammed to the turf on UCLA's next drive. UofA then tacked on another FG to end the scoring when Loop split the uprights from 22 yards away. The bRuins last possession ended when third string QB Collin Schlee's fourth down pass fell incomplete with 3:04 to go. UofA then ran out the clock and moved to 6-3 on the season, while the bRuins fell to 6-3. Fifita had a fine night for the Wildcats completing 25 of 32 passes for 300 yards, three TDs and an interception, while RB Jonah Coleman led all rushers with 77 yards on 17 carries. For UCLA, Garbers completed 13 of 21 passes for 143 yards and a TD.
Telling Stat: They moved the chains; Arizona converted on 11 of 16 third downs which allowed them to keep drives alive on what is a pretty stingy UCLA defense.
Observations
...The Juice is loose!; Want to take a ride with Juice Kiffin as he retrieves the tee after a Rebels kickoff? Just click this link. Juice!!!!
...Just a rumor; There is no truth to the rumor that former SC DC Alex Grinch and soon to be former OC of Iowa Brian Ferentz will be speaking at any coaching clinics in the coming year.
...They got the memo; Michigan has been informed that the football program could be facing discipline from the Big Ten due to the sign stealing scandal involving now former staffer Connor Stalions. Would the Big Ten keep the Wolverines out of the playoff? Hmmmmmmmm Notified
...OU out with dud; The final game for the foreseeable future in the Bedlam Rivalry between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State was won by the Cowboys, 27-24. That's a great win for Okie State, but can you really call it a rivalry when with that win, the Cowboys now trail in the overall series 91-20 with seven ties?
...On, Brave Old Army Team!; The Cadets forced five turnovers en route to a 23-3 upset of Air Force. The Falcons came into the game at 8-0 with aspirations of playing in New Year's Six bowl game.
...They're +1; With a rout of Cal, Oregon now holds a 43-42-2 series lead over the Golden Bears as this matchup fades away with the dissolution of the Pac 12.
...Confident Rebel; Our Field Agent in Oxford, MS sent this dispatch to the home office after the Rebels came back to defeat Texas A&M. "2024 Jaxson Dart is a serious Heisman contender. The Rebels grew up this week against Texas A&M and became a true top tier football team. I wouldn't be surprised if Ole Miss scores last to beat Georgia."
...Misguided History; Back on November 6, 1869 we are told that Princeton traveled to Rutgers for the first college football game. However, the game was played with Football Association Rules. Those rules had 25 players on each side and scoring was only achieved by kicking the ball into the opposing team's goal. That game sure didn't resemble anything close to college the football we know, but as they said in the classic western, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, " When the legend becomes truth, print the legend."
...Calmer; Watch this video of USC HC Lincoln Riley's press conference from Monday and see if you see what this intrepid reporter saw. A much calmer Riley now that Grinch has been let go. He looks relieved.
...Free James Madison!; Due to NCAA bylaws that govern the transition of FCS teams tot he FBS level, James Madison is currently 9-0 and ineligible to go to a bowl. The JMU admin has sent another letter to the NCAA to gain approval to play in a bowl. To quote another classic film, The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training, "Let them play!' An Appeal
...Only in the title tilt; MWC top ten teams Air Force and Fresno State won't meet in the regular season. So, they'd only face each other if form holds in the MWC Championship Game on 12/2.
...Irrelevancy wears blue and white; With a loss at home to Michigan this week, Penn State will most likely go 10-2 and finish in third place in the Big Ten East yet again.
...A lost season; It's sad how USC could be 9-1 right now with just a marginally better defense. Sigh.
...Huh, what?; I'm sure nobody had Oklahoma State- Texas as their most likely Big XII title game matchup.
...He was thrilled; This actual Longhorn was harpoon when this Oklahoma fan decided to pose next to his corral with a Horns Down gesture. Zero U
Roses and Thorns
As the Conference of Champions plays out its' final football season, here's the last time each league member played in the Rose Bowl game.
Arizona: Never
Arizona State: 1-1-1997 : Lost to Ohio State, 20-17
California: 1-1-1959: Lost Iowa, 38-12
Colorado: Never
Oregon: 1-1-2020: Beat Wisconsin, 28-27
Oregon State: 1-1-1965: Lost to Michigan, 34-7
Stanford: 1-1-2016: Beat Iowa, 45-16
USC: 1-1-2017: Beat Penn State, 52-49
UCLA: 1-1-1999: Lost to Wisconsin, 38-31
Utah: 1-2-2023: Lost to Penn State, 35-21
Washington: 1-1-2019: Lost 28-23 to Ohio State
Washington State: 1-1-2003: Lost 34-14 to Oklahoma
Good Riddance Alex Grinch
Alex Grinch was not a popular hire as the DC when Lincoln Riley filled out his staff after taking over at Heritage Hall. His defenses had never been great. In 2022, his bad scheme that hemorrhaged explosive plays and acres of yards was given the benefit of the doubt. Fans knew the talent level was extremely poor on defense and were told that when Grinch gets more talent into the program that things would get better. They didn't. The defense regressed has become a national laughing stock. Confusion reigned before almost every play with players not knowing where to line up, then lining up out of position. Oh, and heaven forbid that the opposing offense made a shift in their formation. That would cause further confusion and allowed for a great deal of busted coverages and explosive plays. The results were record breaking numbers posted by opposing offenses and watching journeyman starters consistently have their best day ever against the Trojans. It became an embarrassment doled out on a weekly basis. Something had to change and finally it did. Grinch is now gone and Riley and team can start picking up the pieces. However, we all remember how this year was ruined. How this could have been a playoff team. How yes, Alex Grinch is the Grinch that stole USC's season. Good Riddance, Alex Grinch. You now join the dubious pantheon on failed Trojan DCs with Keith Burns, Todd Orlando, Justin Wilcox and Nick Holt.
CFL Update
We have playoff scores from the Great White North! In the East Semi Final the Montreal Alouettes knocked off the Hamilton TigerCats, 27-12 while the B.C Lions held on for a 41-30 win over the Calgary Stampeders in the West Semi Final. This Saturday's East and West finals Weill decide who gets to play in the Grey Cup. The East Final will feature the Alouettes at Toronto while the West will see the Lions travel to Winnipeg.
Pac 12 Overreactions
USC is a 7-5 team thanks to Alex Grinch.
Arizona is still the team that nobody wants to play right now.
Oregon plays with an anger nobody else in the league has.
Colorado is a 5-7 team.
UCLA is Sun Bowl Bound.
ASU has now joined Iowa as another team in need of an offense donor.
Now even Pepperidge Farm doesn't remember when Wazzu was undefeated.
Cal is very happy to face Wazzu this week.
Washington will lose the Pac 12 title game.
Oregon State wonders how they lost to Wazzu.
Utah will lose at Washington.
Stanford is in eighth place in the league and loving it.
Ugly Uniform of the Week
Have to go with Maryland here with these yellow jerseys. Seriously, Maryland has four colors, they can come up with something better.
Departments
Wildest Game Almost Nobody Saw last the Week: Defiance, OH- A gathering of 308 people saw that The Fightin' Engineers of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology had their offense in high gear in 78-54 win over the Defiance College Yellow Jackets. The teams combined for 1,037 yards of offense, 60 first downs, 19 TDs and a defensive PAT return for two points for good measure. Rose-Hulman RB Gray Ripperda toted the rock 38 times for 226 yards and five TDs, while QB Miguel Robertson competed 17 of 25 passes for 192 yards and three scores. The Fighting' Engineers are undefeated in league play in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference in D-III. They will face the Mount St. Joseph Lions for the league title and a spot in the D-III playoffs next week.
Blowout Game of the Week: Golden, CO- We go to Divison II for this game where the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers claimed at least a share of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference crown with an impressive 77-3 dismantling of the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys. QB John Matocha completed 17 of 19 passes for 289 yards and four TDs in one half's worth of work for the Orediggers. His efforts helped Colorado Mines build up a 42-0 halftime advantage and then everyone earned their letter in the second half. A win next week over 0-10 Fort Lewis would give Colorado Mines a high seed in the D-II layoffs as they have wins over the #3,4 and 9 ranked teams in the country.
Razorback Report: Gainesville, FL- Razorback fans had seen this scenario play out a lot this season. The Hogs take an early lead, only to blow that lead and find themselves staring at a late fourth quarter deficit while their offense just can't engineer a comeback victory and the result is another loss. However, the Hogs changed the ending to the script at Florida and picked up their first win ever at Gainesville in grand fashion. Down 33-30 with 3:02 to play, QB K.J. Jefferson led his team into Gator territory where PK Cam Little booted a 49-yard FG with :44 left. The game then went to OT where UF hit a 39-yard FG for a 36-33 lead only to see the Razorbacks win the game there plays later when Jefferson hit WR Tyrone Borden with a four-yard TD pass. Woo Pig Sooieeeeee! could be heard all the way back to Fayetteville as the Hogs walked off with a 39-36 win. Up next for Arkansas is a home date with Auburn.
This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...
It's either fog or Santa Ana winds here lately. The last vestige of summer is still fighting with Fall.
It's always cool seeing candy on sale for 1/2 off just after Halloween.
I might be one of the few people who likes both falling back and springing forward.
Until next time folks, remember you can't win games with just an offense or a defense. you need both.
-The Commissioner
