Pac-12 Northwest Football Wrap-Up: Weather Plays Havoc For Northwest Four

With almost 50,000 people without power in Oregon and Washington, college sports were probably the last thing on the minds of many residents.  But the beauty of football is that it goes on regardless of the weather.  With all four northwest teams playing at home in the storm, everyone had to fight through a rain-drenched Saturday in Pac-12 play.

#2 Oregon 55, California 16

Analysis:  While rain forced ball control issues for both teams, special teams gave the Ducks the advantage they needed.  Bralon Addison returned two punts for touchdowns, and the Ducks led 41-3 at halftime.  With the winds making passing downfield difficult, the Ducks went to Byron Marshall for the rushing attack to the tune of 130 yards on 19 carries with two scores.  Thomas Tyner added 94 yards and a touchdown on the ground, and the Ducks outgained the Golden Bears on the ground 264-149. 

Players:
Marcus Mariota: B
Mariota managed the game as well as could be expected in the storm, leading four first quarter scoring drives, and finishing two of them with touchdown passes to Josh Huff and Daryle Hawkins. 

Bralon Addison: A
Addison had a sensational night in special teams, taking two punts back for scores.  His first in the second quarter went for 75 yards, and his second one in the third quarter featured him making six defenders miss in the mud, scoring from 67 yards. 

#16 Washington 31, Arizona 13

Analysis: With the weather playing games with the passing game, the Huskies went all-in with Bishop Sankey.  He did not let them down.  Sankey carried a school record 40 times for 161 yards, and the Huskies recovered from a mutually ugly first half to beat the Wildcats.  Arizona closed to within five in the second half on a touchdown run from quarterback B.J. Denker, but Sankey plowed in from a yard out on the following drive to give the Huskies a lead they would not lose.

Players:
Bishop Sankey: A
With neither team able to throw in the strong winds, the Huskies rode Sankey to the win.  While his longest carry was only 17 yards, Sankey wore down the Wildcat defense with constant pounding runs.  Between Sankey, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Kasen Williams and Keith Price, the Huskies have the offensive tools to matchup with any team in the Pac-12

#5 Stanford 55, Washington State 17

Analysis: What started as a fairly close game in Pullman quickly turned into a one-sided affair.  Kevin Hogan and the Cardinal offense shredded the Cougars secondary to open a 17-3 lead at the half.  Connor Halliday was injured after throwing a pick-six in the third quarter, and backup Austin Apodaca fared no better, throwing a pick-six as well. 

Players:
Connor Halliday: C
Halliday was unable to get anything going downfield for the Cougars, finishing with just 184 yards passing on 24 completions.  He left with a shoulder injury in the third quarter.

Oregon State 44, Colorado 17

Analysis: Sean Mannion put up yet another impressive aerial display against the Buffaloes, setting a new Oregon State record with six touchdown passes in a Beaver win in Corvallis.  Brandin Cooks caught nine passes for 168 yards and two scores, and Oregon State led 38-3 after three quarters.  Terron Ward had a great game overall substituting for Storm Woods, with 158 total yards.

Players:
Sean Mannion: A
Mannion continued his chase to break Derek Anderson's passing record, throwing for 414 yards on 27 of 52 passing.  He now has 2,018 yards passing with at least seven games left to play. 

Brandin Cooks: A+
Cooks had a fantastic night against the Buffaloes, and with the injury to Marquise Lee of USC is now the best receiver in the Pac-12 bar none.  He should get a lot of consideration for the Fred Biletnikoff Award for the nation's best receiver, joining him with former Oregon State wideout and Biletnikoff winner Mike Hass.