Week 12 in the PAC-12
Week 12 saw one team secure a spot in the championship game whilst two others kept themselves alive in the race for the title. Let’s take a look at what happened in the penultimate week of PAC-12 football:
Week 12 Results:
Colorado 14 @ 56 Washington State
Utah 18 @ 42 Arizona
UCLA 38 @ 20 USC
Oregon 49 @ 13 Arizona State
Cal 27 @ 15 Stanford
Washington 22 @ 20 Oregon State
Top three games from Week 12:
Washington @ Oregon State
UK fans who stayed up late were treated to a thrilling showdown as this game topped the line up of Sky Sports’ coverage following their deal with ESPN. As per usual, Washington didn’t make it look easy but they got the job done in Corvallis, battling through the driving rain on their way to clinching a spot in the championship game.
This was not a vintage performance from Michael Penix Jr. but his connection with Rome Odunze remains strong. Penix found Odunze for both of his passing touchdowns along with the game sealing catch on third and three for the final clock killing first down.
A botched punt cost Oregon state dearly. In torrential conditions, the long snapper sent the ball way above the head of punter Josh Green and into the endzone. Green could only boot it out the back of the endzone to prevent a touchdown recovery, but incurred the two-point penalty for the infraction that turned out to be the difference between the two teams.
DJ Uiagalelei was solid but his two interceptions stalled Oregon State’s attempts to gain ground. However, Damien Martinez was running over defenders all night on his way to 123-yards and two touchdowns. His score in the final minute of the third quarter brought the Beavers within five points. A field goal reduced the deficit further but they could not overcome those final two points as they turned over the ball on downs allowing the Huskies to run out the clock.
UCLA @ USC
At the beginning of the season this would have been a major upset but as USC limp towards the end of the season it seemed inevitable. Even the talent of Caleb Williams, who may have played his final game in cardinal and gold if he decides to sit out USC’s bowl game to prepare for the draft, was not enough to overcome the Trojan’s significant deficiencies on defense. The ground game was also severely lacking as solid Bruins defensive front held USC to just three total yards on the ground. UCLA’s T.J. Harden ran all over USC for 142-yards and two touchdowns.
UCLA looked like they wanted to take home the Victory Bell more and came out fighting in the first quarter. The Bruins stopped Austin Jones on fourth and one before T.J. Harden punched it in from a yard out. Kenny Churchwell stripped the ball from Zachariah Branch on USC’s subsequent drive, giving the Bruins great field position in the redzone for Ethan Garbers to find Habermehl for the touchdown. Williams was then picked off as his pass sailed over Brendan Rice’s head into the hands of Devon Kirkwood.
Williams redeemed himself with a beautiful ‘moon ball’ pass to Rice for a 74-yard touchdown. That was Williams’ only TD pass of the game as he faced constant pressure and was sacked four times. Things went from bad to worse in the third quarter as Marshawn Lloyd fumbled inside USC’s ten-yard line and Alex Johnson scooped and scored to extend the Bruins’ lead.
USC couldn’t convert on fourth and two at the start of the fourth quarter as Thaj Washington was tackled at the line to gain. Garbers connected on an underneath pass to Habermehl who launched himself over defenders into the endzone. A late consolation TD for Austin Jones was too little, too late as the Bruins claimed a convincing victory in The Battle of Los Angeles.
Utah @ Arizona
Arizona continues to roll under head coach Jedd Fisch as they came out firing on all cylinders, beating five conference opponents in a row for the first time since 1998. The Wildcats took advantage of a depleted Utah defence that was missing Jonah Elliss, Cole Bishop and Karene Reid due to injury. Utah appeared to have no answer as the Cougars scored in multitude of ways including a touchdown pass from receiver Tetairoa McMillan to RB Michael Wiley, a punt that was blocked and scooped for the score by Anthony Ward and pass behind the line of scrimmage from QB Noah Fifita to Montana Lemonius-Craig for a 32-yard dash down the sideline to the endzone. To begin the second quarter, a pitch to Wiley saw him go untouched into the endzone after a 32-yard run.
Arizona did leave points on the board as Tyler Loop’s FG attempt to close the first half was tipped by Connor O’Toole. He also missed a 50-yard attempt midway through the third quarter. Utah QB Bryson Barnes tried his best to reduce the deficit, recording a career best 320-yards in the process, but his two interceptions were costly and prevented the Utes from coming anywhere close to the Wildcats for the duration of the game.
Utah had some late consolation when Barnes found McClain with 43 seconds left on the clock for a touchdown and ran in the subsequent two-point conversion to bring their total to eighteen. Arizona put in former starting QB Jayden De Laura who launched it to McMillan for 70-yard touchdown that rubbed salt into an already very sore wound.
Top Performances of Week 12:
Passing:
Bo Nix, Oregon: 24/29, 404 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INT, 99.5 QBR v Arizona State
Receiving:
Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona: 8 recs, 116 yards, 14.5 AVG, 1 TD v Utah
Rushing:
T.J. Harden, UCLA: 22 carries, 142 yards, 6.5 AVG, 1 TD v USC
Defense:
Jabbar Muhammad, Washington: 1 tackle, 2 INTs, 4 PD v Oregon State
Power Rankings after Week 12:
1. Oregon
2. Washington
3. Arizona
4. Oregon State
5. UCLA
6. USC
7. Utah
8. Washington State
9. Cal
10. Colorado
11. Arizona State
12. Stanford
The top three remain the same. Oregon looks as deadly as ever whilst Washington continues to grind out wins on their quest for perfection. Arizona’s blowout of Utah has cemented them as contenders and knocked the Utes two places down the rankings. UCLA jump two places Cal, Colorado and Arizona State all drop a place whilst Washington State leap frogs them all courtesy of their demolition of the Buffaloes.
Games to Watch in Week 13:
Oregon State @ Oregon
Rivalry week begins with the final ‘Civil War’ game between the intra-state rivals. Oregon State are eliminated from contention but will do all they can to stop the Ducks from securing a spot in the championship game. Oregon have been criticised for not having any wins against ranked opponents. This is a big opportunity for them to silence the doubters. Bo Nix looks hotter than ever after coming of a, school record tying, six touchdown performance.
Washington State @ Washington
Another final rivalry game before the conference breaks up, this time the Apple Cup. Washington State snapped a six-game losing streak with their trouncing of Colorado and could clinch bowl eligibility with a win. Washington needs to preserve their perfect record to give themselves the strongest case to be included in the playoffs.
Arizona @ Arizona State
Arizona will come into the Territorial Cup as strong favourites but Arizona State, despite their record, are a team that won’t just lie down. Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham has hinted that freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada could from his knee injury after missing the last nine games. Whoever is under centre, Arizona State will do whatever they can to slow down the Wildcats efficient offense and end their spectacular season on a sour note.