Arizona State was picked by many experts as a sleeper team in the Pac-12 this season. The Sun Devils have a ferocious defensive front and a NFL-ready quarterback in Taylor Kelly. When the Washington Huskies came into Tempe, Arizona State was ready for them.
Arizona State 53 #20 Washington 24
Analysis: The Washington Huskies scored early, but found their momentum stopped cold in the second quarter. While Bishop Sankey scored on the first Washington drive, it was three consecutive drives in the second quarter that reflect what went wrong for Washington. On their second drive of the quarter, with Arizona State leading 12-7, Sankey carried for a 3-yard loss on first down, Keith Price threw two incompletions, and the Huskies were forced to punt. The following drive, now down 15-7, Sankey again lost 3 yards on first down, Price threw two incompletions, and the Huskies punted. The next drive, with Arizona State leading 22-7, Price threw two incomplete passes and was sacked. Arizona State scored on the following drive to lead 29-7, and the Huskies never got back into the game.
Players:
Bishop Sankey: C-
While he could not be blamed for all of Washington's offensive struggles, Sankey still had his worst game of the season, carrying 13 times for just 22 yards. The 22 yards were the second lowest of his career as a starter.
Keith Price: C
Price fared just as badly as Sankey, throwing for just 217 yards on 16 of 39 passing. He was also sacked six times and was never comfortable in the pocket. Washington's offensive line was simply pushed around all game, and needs to rally next week against Cal.
#2 Oregon 62 Washington State 38
Analysis: The Cougars kept the game close until the third quarter, but Oregon surged in a blowout win in Eugene. On Oregon's very first series, Marcus Mariota scampered 57 yards for a touchdown. The Cougars failed a fourth down conversion on the following drive, and Byron Marshall punched it in from a yard out to extend the lead to 13. The Cougars rallied in the second quarter to close the gap to 27-21, punctuated by a 27-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Xavier Cooper. Oregon would not let them get closer, with Thomas Tyner sprinting for a 66-yard touchdown run on the following drive. Controversy struck in the fourth quarter as Connor Halliday continued to go to the air against the Oregon reserve defensive unit. Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti called the move to keep throwing against the reserves by Washington State coach Mike Leach "low class". Aliotti would later apologize for his comments.
Players:
Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner: A
While Marcus Mariota had a good day passing, the Oregon rushing attack was the real offensive force. Marshall carried for 192 yards, Tyner had 99, and even Mariota had 62 on the ground as they combined for six rushing touchdowns. The Ducks outgained the Cougars on the ground 383 to 2.
Connor Halliday: C
Halliday had an up and down day, setting a new FBS record with 89 pass attempts, breaking Drew Brees' record at Purdue. He completed 58 of them for 557 yards and four touchdowns, but also threw four interceptions, including one Terrence Mitchell returned for a touchdown. The 557 yards were a new Washington State record.
Oregon State 49 California 17
Analysis: Sean Mannion and Brandin Cooks were in sync from the word go, and the Beavers took care of business against the Golden Bears. Mannion and Cooks hooked up a touchdown pass in the second quarter, and Cooks ran for another, giving the Beavers a 28-3 lead at the half. The Golden Bears switched quarterbacks from Jared Goff to Zach Kline, but the Beavers never let them get back in the game.
Players:
Brandin Cooks: A+
Cooks had an absurd 193 yards receiving by halftime, with two scores in the second quarter, one on the ground and one in the air. He finished with 13 catches for 232 yards receiving.
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