Week Four Pac-12 Recap
We already had a chance to take a look at some of the Pac-12 action on Saturday, but now that the night games are over, let’s review it all. There were some interesting developments this weekend, along with a few expected outcomes.
Arizona Wildcats vs. USC Trojans
When we checked in earlier this game looked like it was headed in one direction, a Trojan victory, but the Wildcats didn’t go down easily. The Wildcats and the Trojans traded scores all night with USC ultimately taking the victory 48 – 41. USC QB Matt Barkley busted up a school record, passing for 468 yards and four touchdowns. Those yards were required though; Arizona QB Nick Foles wasn’t far behind passing for 425 yards and four touchdowns. USC sealed up the victory by recovering Arizona’s onside kick attempt. So the question remains…where was the defense? The Trojans will have a bye over next weekend while the Wildcats will be chomping at the bit for a win against a down OSU team.
Washington State Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes
It was a Cougar comeback Saturday as WSU stole the Buffs hopes of their first Pac-12 victory. It looked like Colorado had this one and then they gave up two touchdowns in the last few minutes of the game. The Cougars left it in the hands of their defense after they got within a field goal rather than execute the onside kick. The defense delivered and the Cougs got the ball back with less than two minutes remaining. The WSU offense was able to put another touchdown on the board and ultimately walk away with a 31 – 27 victory. The injury-ridden Buffs will most likely suffer their third Pac-12 loss next week to a powerful Stanford Cardinal team and WSU will be looking ahead to the Bruins.
Washington Huskies vs. Utah Utes
It was Utah’s Pac-12 home debut on Saturday and there was a brief glimmer of hope for the Utes as this one began, but the Huskies quickly snuffed it out. This game was all about turnovers and this time the Huskies came out on top forcing five turnovers by Utah. The Utes starting QB Jordan Wynn left the game with an injury to his shoulder so Jon Hays took over and it only took two passes before he was intercepted by UW. Early on the Utes looked like contenders, but they ultimately fell to the Huskies 31 – 14. Over at The Husky Haul Mark gives us a good recap of Saturday’s game. UW has a bye going into next weekend while Utah will match-up against the Sun Devils.
Oregon State Beavers vs. Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona State’s four turnovers in this game would have been detrimental against almost any other Pac-12 team, but against the Beavs it just meant a slightly lower margin of victory. OSU was up early in the game, but the Sun Devils knocked out three touchdowns in the second quarter (two passes by Brock Osweiler and a punt return by Jamal Miles). OSU got close in the third, coming within one point of ASU, but then the Sun Devils were able to power past the OSU defense scoring two more touchdowns. Osweiler had four turnovers and was sacked four times by the Beaver defense – both issues will be very concerning for the Sun Devils as Pac-12 play continues. This Saturday it was a Sun Devils victory 20 – 35. The Beavs face the Wildcats next weekend, and both teams are starving for a win. ASU will take on the Utes; both teams will need to work on their turnover trouble.
UCLA Bruins vs. Stanford Cardinals
Stanford won again…soundly. This is a legitimately powerful Cardinal team and they can’t seem to be stopped. Cardinal QB Andrew Luck got to show off his receiving skills too on Saturday. He made a one-handed catch in the first quarter to go along with his 227 yards passing during this game. The Cardinals breezed by the Bruins 45 – 19 and hold the nation’s longest winning streak of 12 games. Stanford will take on the Buffs next weekend while UCLA clashes with the Cougs.
This week both the Golden Bears and the Ducks had a bye week. Next week the Ducks continue their Pac-12 play in Eugene against Cal; Thursday, October 6th at 6:00PT