Tue Sep 2 14:07:28 2008

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Pac-10 Conference News and Notes

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Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - ARIZONA: The Wildcats had to wait out a lightning storm before opening their season, but once they took the field they did not waste any time dismantling the Idaho Vandals. Arizona set a school record with 49 first-half points en route to an eye-popping 70-0 win over the Vandals. It was the first shutout for Arizona since 1996, and it was also the most points scored by a Wildcats squad since 1921 when they defeated Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy, 74-0. It was an outstanding performance across the board for coach Mike Stoops' squad, beginning with the play of the defense which limited Idaho to 112 total yards. The Wildcats also forced five turnovers in the win, and held the Vandals to just 1-of-12 on third down attempts. Offensively, the 'Cats could do no wrong, as they put forth a perfectly balanced attack, rushing for 265 yards while passing for another 256. Stoops' bunch converted 9-of-15 third down chances and was a perfect 9-for-9 inside the red zone. Nicholas Grigsby was the main option out of the backfield, as the sophomore rumbled for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Willie Tuitama did not play the entire game, but while the quarterback was on the field he was extremely effective in completing 17-of-21 passes for 179 yards and three scores.

ARIZONA STATE: The 15th-ranked Sun Devils proved this past Saturday why they are considered a dangerous team, as coach Dennis Erickson's squad pummeled Northern Arizona, 30-13. Rudy Carpenter was the star of the show for ASU as the senior signal caller completed 22-of-28 passes for 388 yards and one touchdown. Carpenter also rushed for 40 yards, but Dimitri Nance did most of the damage on the ground, scoring on two runs. Michael Jones was the main target downfield for Carpenter, as the senior WR grabbed six passes for 162 yards. Arizona State will open conference play this Saturday when it faces upstart Stanford.

CALIFORNIA: The Golden Bears and Michigan State Spartans combined for 38 points in the first three quarters, but the offenses for both teams exploded in the final frame, as the two schools collected 31 points. Fortunately for the Bears they were on the right side of a 38-31 final. Kevin Riley did a solid job under center for Cal, throwing for 202 yards and two touchdowns, but the main reason for the team's success was its ground game, which churned out 203 yards on 36 carries (5.6 ypc). Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen both eclipsed the 100-yard mark, and both found the end zone once. Best finished with 111 yards on 24 attempts, while Vereen rumbled for 101 yards on just nine totes. Best also caught five balls for 63 yards, but the main option for Riley was Cameron Morrah, who finished with five catches for 93 yards and one score. Now the Golden Bears must hit the road to play Washington State in an early Pac-10 showdown.

OREGON: The Ducks opened their season with a rare conference matchup against Washington. After three quarters, Oregon had just a 21-10 lead, but then blew the game open in the final frame, scoring 23 straight points en route to the 44-10 triumph. It was an extremely balanced attack for UO, as the Ducks rushed for 256 yards and added another 240 through the air. Jeremiah Johnson entered this season knowing he had to fill large shoes left by Jonathan Stewart, and in his first start the tailback put on a show by rushing for 124 yards and two scores on just 15 totes. With the loss of Nate Costa, coach Mike Bellotti went with two quarterbacks in the opener as Jeremiah Masoli and Jake Roper both saw time under center. Masoli finished with 126 yards and two touchdowns, while Roper threw for 114 yards and one score, but also tossed an interception. Next up, Oregon invites Utah State to town before hitting the road to battle Purdue.

OREGON STATE: After scoring 17 points in the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal, the Beavers struggled mightily in the second half, posting just 11 points en route to a 36-28 setback in their season opener. The Beavers used a one-dimensional attack against Stanford, throwing for 404 yards while rushing for only 86 yards on 28 carries. Oregon State finished with 29 first downs, with 21 coming through the air. Lyle Meovao was up and down in the contest, as the signal caller threw for 404 yards and three touchdowns, but also finished with two interceptions on 34-of-54 passing. What should make coach Mike Riley smile was the play of receivers Shane Morales and Sammie Stroughter. Morales caught 13 balls for 151 yards and one touchdown, while Stroughter collected 157 yards and two scores on 12 receptions. It does not get any easier for the Beavers, as they will now have to travel across the country to take on the nationally-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.

UCLA: It was a tale of two halves in the debut of coach Rick Neuheisel at UCLA as the Bruins needed overtime to slip past a feisty Tennessee Volunteers squad. Quarterback Kevin Craft put forth his best impression of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as the young signal caller threw for only 66 yards and was intercepted four times in the first half. However, Craft returned to the field in the second half and was much more comfortable, completing 18-of-25 passes for 193 yards and a score. The strong second half helped UCLA force the extra session where it eventually grabbed the 27-24 victory. Ryan Moya was on the receiving end of Craft's touchdown pass, and finished the game with seven receptions and 65 yards. Unfortunately the ground game did very little to help the cause, as the Bruins racked up only 29 yards on 31 attempts. UCLA gets to rest this week before returning to action on September 13th against BYU.

USC: The Trojans left no doubt that they are one of the best teams in the nation, as they dismantled the Virginia Cavaliers in a 52-7 final. The Trojans were in mid-season form on both sides of the ball, but as always winning begins with defense and the Trojans were all over the field, limiting Virginia to just 187 total yards. USC forced four turnovers in the win and held the Cavs to 2-of-12 on third down attempts. Offensively, the Trojans pounded the ball early and often, and finished with 218 rushing yards on 41 carries. Four different players scored a rushing TD, including C.J. Gable, who led the way with 73 yards on nine totes. Mark Sanchez was highly efficient under center, as the junior threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Overall, the Trojans held the ball for a little over 36 minutes and when inside the red zone were able to finish by converting on 6-of-7 opportunities. USC had a bye this week, giving the team a chance to prepare for what will surely be a tremendous battle against the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on September 13th.

WASHINGTON: Coach Ty Willingham does not have much to be happy about after his team stumbled out of the gate with a 44-10 setback to league foe Oregon. The Huskies were unable to contain Oregon's offensive onslaught, as the Ducks amassed 256 yards on the ground, and added another 240 yards via the pass. Unfortunately, the offense for Washington was just as ineffective, as the Huskies were limited to just 242 total yards, including 95 rushing yards on 43 attempts (2.2 ypc). Jake Locker was the main source of production in the setback, as the signal caller threw for 103 yards and also led the ground game with 57 yards. Washington will try to rebound from the embarrassing performance when the team hosts BYU this week.

WASHINGTON STATE: The Cougars did not have much bite in their bout with Oklahoma State, as the Cowboys pounded WSU, 39-13. The Cougars failed to put forth a consistent effort offensively, finishing with just 196 total yards. WSU collected just 14 first downs in the contest, and converted only 2-of-13 third down attempts. The passing attack was simply atrocious, as Gary Rogers completed just 12-of-24 passes for 82 yards. Rogers did toss a touchdown, but also threw an interception and was sacked twice. The rushing attack was slightly better, but still WSU struggled on the ground by rumbling for just 114 yards on 34 carries. Dwight Tardy was the best option out of the backfield, as the tailback racked up 59 yards. Washington will try to right the ship this week when it battles the California Golden Bears in an early Pac-10 showdown.