Pac 10 Sports Blog

With their starting quarterback and star running back sidelined with shoulder injuries, the Oregon State Beavers pulled off a last-minute comeback at Arizona. The Beavers’ 19-17 victory kept them on track to earn their first Rose Bowl berth since the 1964 season.
Trailing the Arizona Wildcats 17-16 with 1:19 remaining in their Pac-10 clash in Tucson last Saturday, the Beavers drove from their own 20-yard line to the Arizona 7. The key play in the series was a 47-yard pass from backup quarterback Sean Canfield to receiver Sammie Stroughter.
Canfield, a junior who threw for 224 yards and a touchdown in relief of injured starter Lyle Moevao, found Stroughter alone and beyond the defense along the left side. It was the fifth catch of the night for Stroughter, a senior who finished with 116 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The big play set up a 24-yard field goal attempt for Oregon State sophomore Justin Kahut, whose successful kick sailed through the uprights with no time left, lifting the Beavers to the 19-17 triumph.
At 7-1 in the conference, the Beavers are deadlocked with USC atop the Pac-10 standings. Each of the leaders has one league game remaining, but Oregon State owns the tie-breaker advantage based upon a 27-21 victory over the Trojans on Sept. 25.
Here is a look at this week’s match-ups involving Pac-10 teams, beginning with a rivalry showdown that has direct Rose Bowl implications.

Oregon (8-3 overall, 6-2 Pac-10) @ Oregon State (8-3, 7-1)
7 p.m. EST Saturday
All that stands now between the 17th-ranked Beavers and their first trip to Pasadena in 44 years is one more Pac-10 opponent. That foe, however, is no ordinary adversary. The 19th-ranked Oregon Ducks, who are averaging 39.8 points per game this season to lead the conference in scoring offense, would like nothing better than to spoil the Beavers’ plans in this in-state grudge match known as the Civil War.
The high-powered Ducks, who also lead the league in total offense (at 458.5 yards per game) and rushing offense (with 268.1 yards per contest), feature game-breaking running backs Jeremiah Johnson and LeGarrette Blount as well as dual-threat quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Johnson (with 863 yards) and Blount (816 yards) are ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, in the Pac-10 in rushing. Masoli has passed for 1,212 yards and has rushed for 559.
Oregon State is ranked fourth in the conference in scoring offense (at 32.4 points per game) and third in total offense (at 414.2 yards per contest), but the Beavers could be without two of their main weapons in Moevao and freshman tailback Jacquizz Rodgers.
Moevao is aiming to come back from the shoulder injury that kept him out last week. If Moevao can’t play, the Beavers will again rely upon Canfield.
Rodgers, the Pac-10’s leading rusher with 1,253 yards, left the game against Arizona in the first quarter with a shoulder sprain. Oregon State head coach Mike Riley said this week that Rodgers is doubtful to play against Oregon.
Rodgers’ brother James Rodgers rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries last week at Arizona. James Rodgers, a sophomore wide receiver, has caught 50 passes for 612 yards this season for the Beavers. His per-game average of 55.6 yards receiving ranks fifth in the Pac-10.
Stroughter is the Pac-10 leader in receiving with 73.4 yards per game, for a season total of 807.
Oregon State holds a statistical edge defensively over Oregon. The Beavers rank second behind USC in the Pac-10 in scoring defense (at 21.4 points per game, tied with California) and second in total defense (allowing 289.6 yards per game). Oregon is rated sixth in the conference in scoring defense (27.1 points per game) and seventh in total defense (375.7 yards per game).
Oregon stands alone in third place in the Pac-10 standings, one game ahead of California, which posted a 37-16 victory last week over rival Stanford (5-7, 4-5). The Cal Golden Bears (7-4, 5-3) will close out their league season on Dec. 6 with a home game against Washington (0-11, 0-8).
Last year’s Civil War game between Oregon and Oregon State was a classic in Eugene, as the visiting Beavers defeated the Ducks, 38-31 in double-overtime. James Rodgers scored the winning touchdown for Oregon State on a 25-yard run in the second overtime.
Saturday’s game at Reser Stadium in Corvallis should be another thriller.
Prediction: Oregon 31, Oregon State 28

UCLA (4-6, 3-4) @ Arizona State (4-6, 3-4)
9:30 p.m. EST Friday
The loser of this night-after-Thanksgiving match-up in Tempe will be eliminated from bowl consideration, while the winner will need to post another victory on Dec. 6 to earn post-season eligibility. Both teams will play in rivalry games on Dec. 6, when Arizona State will travel down Interstate 10 to battle Arizona in the Duel in the Desert and UCLA will host cross-town foe USC.
Arizona State has won two straight after floundering through a six-game losing streak. The Sun Devils blanked Washington State, 31-0, in their most-recent game on Nov. 15, posting their first shutout since a 19-0 triumph over top-ranked Nebraska in 1996.
The Bruins also played stellar defense in their last game, forcing five turnovers in a 27-7 win at Washington on Nov. 15.
Arizona State defeated UCLA last year, 24-20, as tailback Keegan Herring rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Prediction: Arizona State 23, UCLA 17

Notre Dame (6-5) @ USC (9-1)
8 p.m. EST Saturday
The Trojans have won six in a row in their non-conference rivalry against the Fighting Irish. Last year’s game in South Bend was no contest, as Mark Sanchez threw four touchdown passes to lead USC to a 38-0 rout.
The rugged USC defense, which is allowing just 8.3 points and 222.5 yards per game, should dominate the Irish again.
Prediction: USC 31, Notre Dame 3

Washington State (2-10) @ Hawaii (6-5)
11 p.m. EST Saturday
Washington State edged rival Washington last week, 16-13 in double-overtime, as Nico Grasu kicked a 28-yard field goal on the final play of regulation to tie the game and then booted a 37-yarder in the second overtime to win it.
The dramatic victory was the Cougars’ first of the year in Pac-10 competition. Washington State fans stormed the field in jubilation afterward, as the Cougars won the Apple Cup for the second consecutive season.
The Hawaii Warriors, meanwhile, have scored 91 points in their last two games, defeating New Mexico State, 42-30, and Idaho, 49-17.
Washington State has allowed 546 points this season for a per-game average of 45.5.
Prediction: Hawaii 52, Washington State 17

By Tom Kessler
DFN Sports Staff Writer

The Oregon State Beavers are just two wins away from clinching their first trip to the Rose Bowl in 44 years.
The Beavers took another giant step toward a New Year’s Day invitation to Pasadena last Saturday when they defeated the California Golden Bears, 34-21, in Corvallis. With the victory, Oregon State improved to 6-1 in the Pac-10.
The USC Trojans, who pulled away in the second half Saturday night for a 45-23 triumph over Stanford, currently stand atop the conference at 7-1. Oregon State, however, can leapfrog over the Trojans and into the Rose Bowl if the Beavers (who defeated USC, 27-21, on Sept. 25) win their final two regular-season games, against Arizona this Saturday and against rival Oregon on Nov. 29.
The Oregon Ducks, who hold sole possession of third place in the Pac-10, defeated fourth-place Arizona, 55-45, in a shootout at Autzen Stadium in Eugene last Saturday. Meanwhile, in games last week involving teams in the lower tier of the conference standings, Arizona State shut out Washington State, 31-0, and UCLA defeated Washington, 27-7.
Three games are on the Pac-10 schedule for this Saturday, with the spotlight contest kicking off at 7 p.m. EST in Tucson when Arizona hosts Oregon State.

Washington (0-10 overall, 0-7 Pac-10) @ Washington State (1-10, 0-8)
3 p.m. EST
The Apple Cup rivalry series has produced 64 victories for the UW Huskies and 30 wins for the WSU Cougars, with six ties. Last year’s game, the 100th Apple Cup, was won by Washington State, 42-35.
This season’s match-up is unique in that neither team has posted a victory all year over a Division I-A program.
Washington State’s only win came on Sept. 20 over Division I-AA Portland State. Washington hasn’t beaten anybody and is the only winless team in the FBS. The Huskies should be able to change that Saturday against a Washington State squad that has been outscored 440-61 in eight Pac-10 games.
Prediction: Washington 31, Washington State 24

Stanford (5-6, 4-4) @ California (6-4, 4-3)
3:30 p.m. EST
These northern California rivals have met 110 times in the Big Game since 1892, with Stanford posting 55 victories, Cal winning 44, and 11 contests ending in ties. Total points scored in the series: 1,780 for Cal, 1,755 for Stanford.
The Cardinal prevailed in last year’s grudge match, 20-13. They’ll try to win a similar type of ball-control struggle on Saturday, handing the rock early and often to senior Toby Gerhart, who is the first Stanford running back in 18 years to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. Gerhart, who finished with 101 yards and a touchdown on the ground last week against USC, now has 1,033 rushing yards this year and is just 52 yards away from breaking Stanford’s single-season record, set by Tommy Vardell in 1991.
Stanford needs a victory Saturday in its regular-season finale to qualify for a bowl game.
Cal, which is already bowl-bound, finishes the regular season with two home games. In addition to Saturday’s tussle against Stanford, the Golden Bears also will host Washington on Dec. 6.
Prediction: California 24, Stanford 21

Oregon State (7-3, 6-1) @ Arizona (6-4, 4-3)
7 p.m. EST
The Arizona defense was torched last Saturday by Oregon for 45 points and 411 total yards — in the first half.
The Wildcats rallied to make a game of it in the second half, closing a 45-17 deficit at the intermission to 48-45 on freshman tailback Keola Antolin’s fourth touchdown of the day with 6:38 remaining. The Ducks, however, clinched it on a 40-yard touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount with 3:38 left.
Saturday’s contest between Oregon State and Arizona could develop into another shootout. Oregon State freshman Jacquizz Rodgers leads the Pac-10 in rushing with 1,233 yards, while the Wildcats can counter with the 1-2 punch of sophomore Nic Grigsby (who has 941 yards rushing on the season) and Antolin (who has rushed for 398 yards). The Beavers’ Rodgers and the Wildcats’ Grisby each have run for 11 touchdowns, while the UA’s Antolin has nine rushing TDs.
Junior quarterback Lyle Moevao has passed for 1,967 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Beavers, while UA senior Willie Tuitama has thrown for 18 touchdowns and a conference-leading 2,321 yards.
Prediction: Oregon State 38, Arizona 35

By Tom Kessler
DFN Sports Staff Writer

The USC Trojans earned another key victory in the Pac-10 title chase last week when they defeated California, 17-3. Oregon State, meanwhile, remained just a half-game behind the first-place Trojans by knocking off UCLA, 34-6.
Elsewhere in the conference last Saturday, Oregon edged Stanford in a 35-28 thriller. Arizona became bowl-eligible by pounding Washington State, 59-28, while Arizona State snapped a six-game losing streak with a 39-19 win over Washington.
Another full slate of Pac-10 action is on this week’s schedule. Here is a look at the five match-ups.

California (6-3 overall, 4-2 Pac-10) at Oregon State (6-3, 5-1)
3:30 p.m. EST
Oregon State controls its own destiny in the race for the Rose Bowl, owning a tie-breaker advantage over USC thanks to a 27-21 victory over the Trojans on Sept. 25. If the Beavers can defeat California, Arizona and Oregon to close out their regular-season schedule, they will be playing in Pasadena on Jan. 1.
Oregon State tailback Jacquizz Rodgers has been a major factor in the Beavers’ success. With 144 yards rushing last week against UCLA, Rodgers increased his season total to 1,089 yards, setting a new Pac-10 freshman record. He is on pace to become the first freshman ever to lead the Pac-10 in rushing.
California will be looking to get its offense back on track after being held to three points and 165 total yards last week against USC.
Prediction: Oregon State 31, California 27

Washington State (1-9, 0-7) at Arizona State (3-6, 2-4)
5:30 p.m. EST
While the Sun Devils’ season has been a disappointment, they can still qualify for a bowl game if they finish with victories over Washington State, UCLA and rival Arizona.
Arizona State should have no trouble with a Washington State team that has allowed 409 points in seven Pac-10 games.
Prediction: Arizona State 49, Washington State 10

Arizona (6-3, 4-2) at Oregon (7-3, 5-2)
6:30 p.m. EST
This game has the makings of an entertaining shootout between two teams that have plenty of offensive firepower.
Oregon is the top rushing team in the Pac-10 with an average of 274.3 yards per game. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli led the Ducks on a buzzer-beating drive last Saturday against Stanford, as LeGarrette Blount scored the winning touchdown on a 3-yard run with six seconds remaining.
Meanwhile, Arizona amassed 531 yards of total offense last week against Washington State. Nic Grigsby rushed for 189 yards and Willie Tuitama passed for 214 for the Wildcats.
In winning their sixth game of the season, the Wildcats have qualified to play in a bowl game. It will be Arizona’s first bowl trip since 1998.
Prediction: Oregon 34, Arizona 31

USC (8-1, 6-1) at Stanford (5-5, 4-3)
7 p.m. EST
This year’s Stanford team is better than the one that went to Southern Cal last season as a 41-point underdog and shocked the Trojans, 24-23.
This year’s USC defense, however, has been dominant in eight of the Trojans’ nine games, with the lone exception being the 27-21 loss to Oregon State in late September. Since that loss, USC has won six straight and has outscored its opponents, 231-23.
For the season, the Trojans lead the nation in scoring defense (at 6.7 points allowed per game) and total defense (206.4 yards per game). They should be able to maintain those rankings by shutting down Stanford’s grind-it-out, ball-control offense.
Prediction: USC 31, Stanford 3

UCLA (3-6, 2-4) at Washington (0-9, 0-6)
10:15 p.m. EST
Rick Neuheisel takes his new team, the Bruins, to Seattle to face the Huskies, a team that he coached from 1999-2002.
While Washington is the only FBS team in the country that has not won a game this season, the losing streak could end on Saturday.
Prediction: Washington 24, UCLA 21

By Tom Kessler
DFN Sports Staff Writer

The California Golden Bears defeated visiting Oregon, 26-16, in the rain at Berkeley last Saturday, improving to 4-1 in the Pac-10. The Bears trail first-place USC (a 56-0 winner over Washington last week) by a half-game, and the two contenders will face off Saturday night in a showcase matchup in SoCal.
Meanwhile, the Oregon State Beavers are also very much a factor in the conference race at 4-1. With an earlier victory over USC in their pocket, the Beavers kept chopping wood in the title chase by holding on for a 27-25 win over Arizona State last week.
Stanford, Arizona and Oregon each have two losses in the league. The Cardinal posted a 58-0 shutout over Washington State last week, while the UA Wildcats had a bye.

Here is a look at Saturday’s full slate of games in the Pac-10.

Stanford (5-4 overall, 4-2 Pac-10) @ Oregon (6-3, 4-2)
3:30 p.m. EST
The Ducks didn’t take to the water in the California quagmire last week. Oregon’s lengthy list of miscues included two turnovers that led to short touchdown drives for the Golden Bears.
Stanford running back Toby Gerhart needs 89 more yards to become the school’s first 1,000-yard rusher since the player known in Cardinal lore as “Touchdown Tommy” achieved the feat 17 years ago. Tommy Vardell, who went on to a productive NFL career as a first-round draft choice for the Cleveland Browns, churned out 1,084 yards on the ground for Stanford in 1991.
The Ducks won last year’s game over the Cardinal, 55-31. This one figures to be much closer.
Prediction: Oregon 24, Stanford 21

Arizona (5-3, 3-2) @ Washington State (1-8, 0-6)
5 p.m. EST
Arizona is closing in on qualifying for the Tucson school’s first bowl game since 1998. One more win would make the Wildcats bowl-eligible, while two victories would virtually guarantee them a bowl-game invitation.
Meanwhile, in Pullman, an early-season win over Division I-AA Portland State can’t mask the fact that Washington State is having one of the worst seasons ever by a Pac-10 team.
Just how bad have the Cougars been in 2008?
They have lost their six conference games by scores of 66-3, 63-14, 28-3, 66-13, 69-0 and 58-0.
They have scored a total of 33 points in those games.
They have already set a Pac-10 record in defensive futility by allowing 350 points in their conference games, and that total could approach or eclipse the 500-point plateau by the time WSU’s league schedule is complete.
Back on Aug. 30, Arizona hung 70 points on its over-matched opening-night opponent, the Idaho Vandals. A repeat performance for the Wildcats could be in the offing on Saturday.
Prediction: Arizona 63, Washington State 6

Oregon State (5-3, 4-1) @ UCLA (3-5, 2-3)
6 p.m. EST
Oregon State quarterback Lyle Moevao left last week’s game against Arizona State in the second quarter with an injury, but backup Sean Canfield passed for 218 yards and two touchdowns to guide the Beavers to a hard-fought victory over the Sun Devils.
Oregon State tailback Jacquizz Rodgers needs 55 more rushing yards to become the third freshman in Pac-10 history to reach the 1,000-yard mark. He leads the league with 118.1 yards per game and is on pace to become the first freshman ever to win the league rushing title.
UCLA defeated Oregon State last season, 40-14. An approximate reversal of that score sounds about right for Saturday’s game in Pasadena.
Prediction: Oregon State 38, UCLA 10

Arizona State (2-6, 1-4) @ Washington (0-8, 0-5)
7 p.m. EST
In an attempt to provide a spark to their moribund rushing attack, ASU gave junior Shaun DeWitty his first career start at tailback last week against Oregon State. DeWitty responded by rushing for 110 yards on 16 carries, and he’ll aim to surpass those numbers Saturday against winless Washington.
While the Sun Devils have lost six straight, they still can qualify for a bowl game if they win their last four over Washington, Washington State, UCLA and Arizona.
Prediction: Arizona State 34, Washington 14

California (6-2, 4-1) @ USC (7-1, 5-1)
8 p.m. EST
The Golden Bears can shake up the Pac-10 title race by pulling off an upset against the seventh-ranked Trojans. In order to do it, however, No. 21 California will have to solve a USC defense that has allowed more than 10 points in a game just once all season.
Oregon State scored 27 in its stunning victory over the Trojans on Sept. 25. In their other seven games, the Trojans have allowed 7, 3, 10, 0, 0, 10 and 0 points, for a total of 30.
For the season, USC is first in the nation in both scoring defense (at 7.1 points per game) and total defense (211.6 yards per game).
The Trojans will need to be prepared to face either California starting quarterback Kevin Riley, who left the Bears’ game against Oregon last week with a concussion, or backup and sometimes-starter Nate Longshore, who filled in admirably with 136 passing yards, or both.
The Golden Bears stayed close in this matchup last year, losing to the Trojans, 24-17, at Berkeley.
Prediction: USC 27, California 10

By Tom Kessler
DFN Sports Staff Writer

Last week’s Pac-10 action featured comeback victories by Arizona and UCLA. The Wildcats put up 28 points in the third quarter to surge past California, 42-27. The Bruins, meanwhile, scored a last-minute touchdown to edge Stanford, 23-20.
Elsewhere in the conference, USC pounded Washington State, 69-0, and Oregon State earned a 34-13 triumph over Washington.
Four teams are tied atop the Pac-10 standings, as USC, Arizona, Oregon and Oregon State all have 3-1 league records. USC will play at Arizona this Saturday, while Oregon travels to Arizona State. Oregon State has a bye this week.
Here is a look at the four games involving Pac-10 teams on Saturday’s schedule.

UCLA (3-4 overall, 2-2 Pac-10) @ California (4-2, 2-1)
3:30 p.m. EDT
Kevin Craft tossed a 7-yard touchdown to Cory Harkey with 10 seconds remaining to complete the Bruins’ rally over Stanford last week. Craft passed for 285 yards in the game, a week after finishing with 288 yards through the air in a loss to Oregon.
The Golden Bears squandered a 24-14 halftime lead in their loss at Arizona – allowing two long touchdown passes, a scoring run and a pick-six interception during the Wildcats’ third-quarter barrage. California was bolstered by the return of tailback Jahvid Best, who rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown after having missed the Golden Bears’ previous game with an elbow injury.
Prediction: California 31, UCLA 13

Notre Dame (4-2) @ Washington (0-6)
8 p.m. EDT
Tyrone Willingham will try to lead the Huskies to their first victory of the season against the coach’s former team, the Fighting Irish.
Washington was hurt by three interceptions thrown by redshirt freshman quarterback Ronnie Fouch in last week’s loss to Oregon State. True freshman running back Terrance Dailey provided a spark to the UW offense, rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown.
The Washington defense will be tested by Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen, a sophomore who has passed for  1,631 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions through six games.
The Fighting Irish fell to North Carolina, 29-24, in Notre Dame’s most-recent contest on Oct. 11.
Prediction: Notre Dame 35, Washington 17

Oregon (5-2, 3-1) @ Arizona State (2-4, 1-2)
10 p.m. EDT
Both teams have had two weeks to prepare after enjoying byes last Saturday. Both have quarterback issues – the Sun Devils are hoping that senior standout Rudy Carpenter is recovered from an ankle injury while the Ducks are deciding between Jeremiah Masoli and Justin Roper.
Masoli ran for 170 yards and a touchdown against UCLA on Oct. 11 for the Ducks, who lead the Pac-10 in rushing with 275.1 yards per game.
The Sun Devils, who have lost four straight, will try to get their running game back on track. Senior tailback Keegan Herring, who has been hobbled by injury, has rushed for just 131 yards this season after finishing with 815 yards on the ground last year.
Prediction: Arizona State 24, Oregon 21

USC (5-1, 3-1) @ Arizona (5-2, 3-1)
10:15 p.m. EDT
Early in the week, Tucson was fired up about the impending visit from the sixth-ranked Trojans. But with legendary U of A basketball coach Lute Olson announcing his retirement on Thursday, it remains to be seen whether the enthusiasm of the homecoming crowd at sold-out Arizona Stadium will be tempered for Saturday’s football showdown.
The Wildcats thrived upon their home-field advantage last week, building momentum and confidence throughout a 28-point third quarter that powered them to a 42-27 win over then-25th-ranked California. Senior quarterback Willie Tuitama completed long scoring passes to receiver Mike Thomas and tight end Rob Gronkowski during the onslaught, which also included a 21-yard interception return for a touchdown by Devin Ross.
Arizona unleashed a new weapon on offense, turning to freshman tailback Keola Antolin after an early fumble by sophomore starter Nic Grigsby.
Antolin, a 5-foot-8, 180-pound speedster, rushed for 149 yards on 21 carries, scoring twice in the second quarter on runs of 20 and 11 yards and once in the third on a 1-yard jaunt.
Arizona coach Mike Stoops indicated this week that Grigsby and Antolin would share the workload against the Trojans, who have posted consecutive shutouts over Arizona State and Washington State.
The USC defense has held its opponents scoreless for 10 consecutive quarters. In last week’s 69-0 demolition of the Cougars, the Trojans did not allow WSU to cross the 50-yard line.
The USC offense is firing on all cylinders as well, averaging 41.5 points per game. Southern Cal had three running backs rush for more than 100 yards each against Washington State, while quarterback Mark Sanchez threw five touchdown passes, all in the first half.
Sanchez, a junior, has 19 touchdown passes this season to go with six interceptions.
Prediction: USC 34, Arizona 24

By Tom Kessler
DFN Sports Staff Writer

The Pacific 10 Conference dominates the headlines along the USA’s West Coast throughout the football & basketball seasons and this fall should be no different. Arizona State and Oregon come off of fantastic seasons and USC is a perennial title contender, and the 2008 NCAA college football previews are now live at College Sports Fans. All ten Pac 10 team previews are now here so that fans like you can see how your team is expected to fare in 2008.

2008 Pac 10 Football Preview

• 2008 Arizona Wildcats football preview
• 2008 Arizona State Sun Devils football preview
• 2008 California (Cal) Golden Bears football preview
• 2008 Oregon Ducks football preview
• 2008 Oregon State Beavers football preview
• 2008 Stanford Cardinal football preview
• 2008 UCLA Bruins football preview
• 2008 USC Trojans football preview
• 2008 Washington Huskies football preview
• 2008 Washington State Cougars football preview