Philadelphia, PA (Best E Casino) - ARIZONA: The Wildcats pushed their Pac-10 ledger to a solid 3-1 with a convincing, 42-27 victory over the former 25th-ranked team in the nation, the California Golden Bears. The Wildcats amassed 404 total yards in the win, but the majority of the damage came on the ground, as they rumbled for 179 yards and three touchdowns. All three scores came from Keola Antolin, who racked up 149 yards on 21 totes. Willie Tuitama had an impressive showing under center, as the signal caller threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the matchup. His top two targets were Mike Thomas and Rob Gronkowski, as Thomas grabbed six passes for 104 yards and one score, while Gronkowski also hauled in six passes for 91 yards and one TD. The Wildcats will now host the sixth-ranked USC Trojans this weekend, and the winner will be one step closer to a Pac-10 title.
ARIZONA STATE: The Sun Devils were idle this past week, and there might not have been another team in more need of rest. After opening the season with two straight wins, the Wildcats have dropped their last four matchups. Arizona State will have a chance to return to the win column this week, when the team invites the Oregon Ducks to Sun Devil Stadium.
CALIFORNIA: The Golden Bears suffered their second loss of the season with a rough, 42-27 setback to Arizona this past weekend. Cal took a small lead into the second half, but the defense collapsed, as the Golden Bears surrendered 28 points in the third quarter. Despite suffering a loss, the offensive unit for Cal performed well, as the team produced 425 total yards, including 315 yards via the pass. Nate Longshore had a solid showing under center, as the quarterback threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Jahvid Best did the majority of the damage on the ground, as the tailback rushed for 107 yards and one touchdown on 16 totes. Cal will try to return to the win column this weekend when the Golden Bears host the UCLA Bruins in a Pac-10 battle.
OREGON: The Ducks were idle this past weekend, as the team went into its bye week on a high note. Oregon pushed its record to 5-2 the last time the team was on the field, defeating UCLA, 31-21. Oregon will now return to the gridiron this weekend when the Ducks travel to Tempe to take on Arizona State.
OREGON STATE: The Beavers corralled their second consecutive win this past week with a 34-13 victory over Washington. OSU racked up 421 total yards in the win, with the majority of that success coming on the ground, as the Beavers churned out 230 yards on 6.6 ypc. The Rodgers brothers dominated the Huskies, as James Rodgers scampered for 110 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries. Younger brother Jacquizz added 94 yards and one score on 20 totes in the victory. Quarterback Lyle Moevao managed the game well for Oregon State, as the signal caller completed 18-of-22 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown. Oregon State will enter its bye week this weekend, but the team will return to the field on November 1st when the Beavers host the Arizona State Sun Devils.
STANFORD: The Cardinal could not hold a late lead, as the defense surrendered a touchdown in the final seconds of their 23-20 loss to UCLA. The Stanford offense only mustered 301 total yards, but the majority of the damage came on the ground as the team rumbled for 250 yards on 5.7 ypc. Toby Gerhart was the main option in the backfield for the Cardinal, as he finished the contest with an impressive 138 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, the passing attack was practically non-existent, as Tavita Pritchard completed just 5-of-12 passes for 51 yards. Pritchard was also intercepted once and sacked once. Stanford will enjoy a much-needed week of rest, and the team returns to the gridiron on November 1st when the Washington State Cougars come to town.
UCLA: The Bruins put forth a gutsy and tough effort this past weekend, and just squeaked past Stanford, 23-20. UCLA used a seven-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Craft to Cory Harkey with just 10 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Bruins a much-needed victory. Craft completed 23-of-39 passes in the contest, and finished the game with 285 yards and two scores. Terrence Austin led the receiving corps with five catches to go along with 50 yards and one TD. The Bruins used a tremendous effort from the defensive unit, which limited Stanford to just 301 total yards, and forced three turnovers. UCLA will try to grab its second consecutive win this upcoming weekend when the team travels to Berkeley to take on the California Golden Bears.
USC: The Trojans did everything right this past weekend, as USC pounded Washington State, 69-0. It was the largest shutout for USC since 1931 (defeated Montana 69-0), and it was also the first time the Trojans grabbed back-to-back shutout wins since 1971. The team was just as outstanding offensively, especially quarterback Mark Sanchez, who broke a USC record with five touchdown passes in the first half. Sanchez only completed 15-of-20 passes in the win, and finished with just 253 yards. The ground game was punishing from start to finish, racking up 362 yards on 7.4 ypc. Three different players eclipsed the century mark, beginning with Broderick Green, who rushed for 121 yards and two scores. Stafon Johnson added 112 yards on 12 carries, while C.J. Gable rumbled for 109 yards and three scores. USC will have a much tougher task this weekend, as the team will travel to Tucson to take on the Arizona Wildcats in a pivotal Pac-10 battle
WASHINGTON: The losing continued for Washington this past weekend, as the Huskies dropped to 0-6 with a 34-13 setback to Oregon State. The Huskies racked up a solid 377 total yards, but the team committed four turnovers, the main cause for Washington's demise. Quarterback Ronnie Fouch threw for 276 yards in the loss, but the signal caller was also intercepted three times and completed only 17-of-32 passes. Surprisingly the team had a solid showing on the ground, mainly because of Terrance Dailey, who rushed for 102 yards and one score on 6.4 ypc. Unfortunately the defense for Washington was abused, as the Huskies were pounded for 421 total yards, including 230 rushing yards on 6.6 ypc. The Huskies will remain home this weekend and will host the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
WASHINGTON STATE: The Cougars 280-game scoring streak was snapped this past weekend, as the USC Trojans embarrassed WSU, 69-0. It was the worse shutout in school history. The defense for Washington State was atrocious, as the Trojans piled up 625 total yards and 10 touchdowns. WSU could not stop the run or pass, as the Cougars were pounded for 362 yards on the ground, while also being torched for 263 yards through the air. The offense was just as ineffective, as the team racked up a mere 116 total yards, including just 28 yards through the air. The ground game did not do much damage in the loss, as the team finished with just 88 yards on 2.4 ypc. Logwone Mitz was the top option for WSU, but the tailback finished with just 52 yards on 19 totes. The Cougars will enjoy a much-needed week of rest this upcoming weekend, but the team will return to the gridiron on November 1st to battle the Stanford Cardinal.
