Week One College Football Recap: The PAC-12

Arizona State vs. UC Davis

Arizona State took care of UC Davis 48-14 to start their 2011 football campaign. ASU was in command throughout the game and only allowed 14 fourth quarter points after the game was decided. The Aggies had trouble with ASU’s offense and defense in the 104 degree heat. Look for Missouri to have trouble doing the same in week two against the Sun Devils.

Junior running back Cameron Marshall got the short yardage and goal lines carries; 7 rushes for 23 yards with two touchdown runs of 2-yards each. Brock Osweiler threw for 262 yards 2 scores and one interception.

Notes to the game

ASU racked up 517 yards of total offense; 300 passing, 217 rushing. ASU turned the ball over twice while only getting one takeaway on defense.

ASU’s defense only allowed 243 yards of offense; 155 passing, 88 rushing.

Jamal Miles carried the ball once for 36 yards but showed his speed on a 98-yard kickoff return to start the second half.

Aaron Pflugrad had three catches for 50-yards with 2 touchdowns.

Redshirt freshman Alex Garoutte was perfect on six extra points and two field goal attempts including a 49-yarder before halftime.

ASU is still waiting for the return of LB Brandon Magee (Achilles’ Tendon), RB Deantre Lewis (shot in leg), and CB Omar Bolden (torn ACL). If ASU can get completely healthy again, watch out!

Utah vs. Montana State

Utah beat Montana State 27-10 to earn their first victory as a PAC-12 member. Utah was in control early and never let up jumping out to a 24-0 lead before Montana State scored a touchdown with a minute to go before halftime.

Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn was efficient completing 15 of 23 passes for 101 yards and two scores. True freshman John White (Torrance, CA) was the story of the game for the Utes. He led all rushers with 150 yards on 19 attempts with a running and a receiving touchdown.

Utah looked like they were going through the motions against Montana State. Perhaps they were looking ahead to their week two game on the road at USC? Since neither the Utes nor the Trojans looked in top form in week one, this should be an interesting matchup for both schools. USC is familiar with Norm Chow’s (USC and UCLA) offense but not the Utah players. USC struggled with their run game against the Golden Gophers. How will the two teams off-set each other at the Coliseum?

Notes to the Game

Utah’s starting left tackle senior John Cullen was held out of the game due to a concussion. He is expected to play against USC in week two.

Linebacker Brian Blechen intercepted two passes against Montana State.

All eyes were on Wynn and his shoulder. Wynn did not open it up too much but expect to see him air it out against USC next week.

USC vs. University of Minnesota

USC fought off the Golden Gophers to hang on for a 19-17 opening season victory. USC quarterback Matt Barkley and wide receiver Robert Woods received the headlines with their impressive and record setting performances; Barkley set a USC record completing 34 passes while Woods set a USC record for receptions in a game with 17, but the real story of the game is the decision making of the USC coaching staff.

Twice USC went for two after their initial scores and failed on both attempts. USC pulled the same stunt in last year’s opener against Hawaii. Why? Lane Kiffin will learn at some point that he has to play the game the correct way or his brash attitude will catch up with him. USC lost two games last year on last minute field goals adding an extra emphasis to the phrase “every point counts”. For USC to be successful, Kiffin will have to learn that each point does count even if he feels his team is better than their opposition.

Minnesota played tough in the second half and kept the game close with a third quarter nine yard touchdown by Duane Bennett (10-19). In the fourth quarter Max Shortell threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Green to draw the Gophers within two of USC.

Notes of the Game

USC was without starting tailback Marc Tyler. Tyler was suspended for his comments about USC players being paid to play on “TMZ”.

Matt Barkley finished the game 34 of 45 for 304 yards passing with three touchdowns.

Robert Woods had 177 yards receiving on 17 catches with three touchdowns.

USC only had 67 yards rushing for the game.

UCLA vs. University of Houston

Casey Keenum got revenge against UCLA shredding UCLA’s defense for 310 yards passing enroot to a 38-34 win. Keenum injured his ACL against the Bruins at the Rose Bowl during UCLA’s third game of the 2010 season; a 31-13 win for UCLA. Keenum was granted a sixth year of eligibility and delivered his payback.

The game was a shootout with Houston leading the entire way. Both team put up gaudy offensive numbers as little defense was played. UCLA had 554 yards of total offense to the Cougars 469. The two teams combined for 10 total touchdowns.

UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince left the game in the second due to a concussion allowing backup quarterback Richard Brehaut, last year’s starter, to finish the game (17 of 26 for 264 yards passing, 2 TD, 0 interceptions).

The hot seat just got hotter for UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel. UCLA has a game to get things back on track before facing the University of Texas at the Rose Bowl on September 17. Texas will be looking to revenge last year’s home loss to UCLA (34-12).

Notes to the Game

UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin started off 2011 where he left off in 2010 rushing for 126 yards on 16 attempts with one score.

Richard Brehaut ran 13 times for 78 yards. That’s putting the Pistol Offense to work!

UCLA’s wide receivers and tight ends had a great day against Houston’s weak defense. Junior Joseph Fauria exploited Houston’s defense for 110 yards on six catches with a score.

Oregon State vs. Sacramento State

Mike Riley is in for a long year. Oregon State fought back from a 21-6 deficit to tie the game and send it into overtime. Oregon State got the ball first in OT scoring a touchdown on an 18-yard run by true freshman Malcom Agnew (St. Louis, MO). Sacramento State hung tough in OT. Hornet’s quarterback Jeff Fleming threw a 6-yard touchdown pass in OT then followed with a 2-yard pass to convert the two-point conversion to win the game 29-28.

OSU plays on the road at Wisconsin in week two action. Wisconsin routed UNLV 51-17 in their season opener.

Notes of the Game

Malcom Agnew finished the game with 223 yards rushing on 33 attempts with 3 scores.

This was OSU’s first season opening loss since 2001.

OSU played seven true freshmen.

OSU quarterback Ryan Katz was benched in the second half after going 11 for 22 for 87 yards with an interception.

Stanford vs. San Jose State

The score was not indicative of the game as the Cardinal rolled to an easy 57-3 romp of the Spartans. Stanford was in control throughout and gave up the Spartans only points on an 18-yard field goal with 52 seconds before halftime.

For his standards, Andrew Luck had a mild game, throwing for 171 yards on 17 for 26 attempts with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Luck also added a one yard rushing touchdown.

Stanford should have another easy opponent in week two as they travel to North Carolina to take on the Duke Blue Devils.

Notes of the Game

The Cardinal defense was in full force only allowing 237 yards of total offense; 210 passing and 27 yards rushing.

San Jose State’s quarterback Matt Faulkner was sacked twice for a loss of 48-yards.

Stanford head coach David Shaw started preparing for 2012 by getting snaps for redshirt freshman quarterback Brett Nottingham and sophomore quarterback Robbie Picazo.

Washington State vs. Idaho State

The Cougars blasted the Bengals 64-21 leaving them one victory shy of their 2010 season total. The game for WSU went from great to bad after learning that starting quarterback Jeff Tuel, perhaps the best quarterback in college football that no one knows about, broke his left clavicle during the game. Backup quarterback Marshall Lobbestael filled in nicely going 14 of 19 for 230 yards with 2 touchdowns.

Washington State gets another game they could win this week in a matchup against UNLV at home.

Notes of the Game

True freshman running back Marcus Mason (Etiwanda, CA) made his debut against the Bengals rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown on six carries.

Sophomore wide receiver Marquess Wilson had four catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.

Andrew Furney missed an extra point kick for WSU.

California vs. Fresno State

Fresno jumped on Cal early for a 7-0 lead in the first but the Cal Bears scored three straight touchdowns, missing 2-PATs, to take a 19-14 lead before the end of the first quarter on their way to a 36-21 win. Cal’s junior scat back Isi Sofele carved up the Bulldogs defense for three scores and 69 yards rushing. Senior receiver Marvin Jones had five catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns while sophomore Keenan Allen had eight catches for 112 yards.

The Bears offense accounted for 413 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Notes of the Game

Cal is playing their home games at AT&T Park this year. Will they be able to retain the home field advantage they normally get in Berkley? Fresno State drew a larger crowd to AT&T Park for Cal’s “home opener”.

Cal’s defense, as always, looked sharp against the Bulldogs only surrendering 68 yards rushing and 142 yards passing.

Cal opens conference play next week at Colorado.

Washington vs. Eastern Washington

Washington survived a 30-27 scare against the Eagles. The Eagles lived and died by their quarterback play against the Huskies all night. Bo Mitchell threw for 473 yards against the Huskies and drove the Eagles from their 5-yard line to the Huskies’ 25-yard line with 40 seconds to play. Washington’s preseason All-PAC-12 cornerback Desmond Trufant intercepted Mitchell’s pass in the end zone to stop the Eagle’s drive and secure the Huskies’ season opening victory.

Huskies’ quarterback play was average at best. Keith Price threw for three touchdowns but only compiled 102 yards passing. Running back Chris Polk was dominating in the season opener running for 122 yards.

Notes of the Game

The Huskies’ defense had four Eagles’ receivers go for 70-yards or more on their secondary.

The Eagles attempted 69 passes but only ran the ball 17 times.

Washington plays University of Hawaii at home. This will be Hawaii’s second game against a PAC-12 team in 2011.

Oregon vs. LSU

Before a crowd of 87,711 Tiger and Ducks’ fans in Arlington, Texas, LSU capitalized on four Oregon turnovers and 12 penalties to win going away 40-27. LSU was in control most of the game leading 16-13 at halftime and 30-13 at the end of the third quarter. Oregon true freshman running back De’Anthony Thomas (Los Angeles, CA) fumbled on back-to-back possessions leading to two LSU scores in the third quarter.

Darron Thomas tried to get revenge in his home state against Les Miles, who recruited him to play at LSU but would not promise him the opportunity to stay at quarterback. Thomas played well completing 31 passes for 240 yards, one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown, but could not help overcome the mistakes made by the Ducks and the lack of a running game against LSU’s stout defense. Oregon was held to 95 rushing yards. More notably preseason Heisman candidate LaMichael James was held to 51-yards rushing on 18 carries.

LSU starting quarterback Jarrett Lee played the role of quarterback but did not impress pundits with his play; 10-22 for 98-yards with one touchdown. Spencer Ware and Michael Ford got tough rushing yards all game for the Tigers. Ware finished with 97-yards and Ford finished with 94.

If defense wins championships, LSU has a defensive unit capable of getting them to the BCS Championship Game.

Notes of the Game

This is Oregon’s first time with consecutive losses since 2007.

Oregon outgained LSU offensively 335 total yards to 273.

LSU has won 34 consecutive non-conference games.

Colorado vs. University of Hawaii

Adding to the PAC-12 woes in week one was the Buffaloes 34-17 loss to the Warriors in Hawaii. Colorado’s new head coach Jon Embree had no answers for Hawaii quarterback Bryant Moniz. Moniz was the story of the game as he threw for 178-yards with a touchdown and ran for 121 yards with three scores (120 rushing yards in the first half; Moniz was sacked five times for a loss of 30 yards). The good news for Colorado is they held Moniz to 182-yards below his passing average during the 2010 season when he threw for 360-yards per game.

The Warriors forced Colorado to punt on their first five possessions of the game. Rodney Steward, a 1,318 yard rusher in 2010, was held to 41-yards on 18 attempts but caught 4 passes for 98-yards.

Notes of the Game

Colorado has lost 19 consecutive road games.

Colorado sacked Bryant Moniz five times but gave up seven sacks offensively to the Warriors for a total loss of 44-yards.

Colorado opens conference play at home against California this week.

Arizona vs. Northern Arizona

Arizona quarterback Nick Foles started the 2011 season on a winning note leading the Wildcats to a 41-10 win over Northern Arizona. Foles ability as a passer has never been questioned. He finished the game with 412 yards passing, completing 34 on 42 attempts with five touchdowns. The question centered on Foles is his offensive line. All five linemen are new starters and the responded well, protecting their senior quarterback by only giving up one sack. The run blocking is another issue. The Wildcats were held to 75-yards rushing.

Senior wide receiver Juron Criner continued his great colligate career by catching six passes for 151 yards with a touchdown. Wildcats receiver David Roberts had seven catches for 58-yards.

Arizona gets an opportunity for a shootout and to display their offense on the national stage this week against Oklahoma State in Stillwater.

Notes of the Game

Arizona’s defense held the Lumberjacks to 259-yards of total offense.

Arizona committed 10 penalties costing them 74-yards during the game.

College Football Stat of the Week

Florida State quarterback Clint Trickett: 1 for 1 passing with a touchdown for a quarterback rating of 665.2. Trickett is the son of FSU’s offensive line coach, Rick Trickett. 

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