Week 8 in the PAC-12
This week had a bit of everything including a blowout, a walk off victory and a defensive slugfest. Let’s take a look at how things went down in Week 8.
Week 8 Results:
Washington State 24 @ 38 Oregon
Utah 34 @ 32 USC
Arizona State 7 @ 15 Washington
UCLA 42 @ 7 Stanford
Top three games from Week 8:
Washington State @ Oregon
Bo Nix became the record-holder for NCAA starts as he led Oregon to victory in his 54th game. It wasn’t the strongest of starts for the Ducks as Washington State jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the second quarter after a 97-yard drive culminated in a four-yard scoring run from Nikia Johnson. It remained tight entering the half as Oregon took a narrow 17-13 lead following Nix’s two-yard goal line dash for a touchdown before Dean Janikowki’s 33-yard kick brought the Cougars within four points.
Come the second half though, Washington State just couldn’t keep pace with the Ducks. Despite Cam Ward putting up 438 yards he was not able to translate these into points until his sole touchdown pass with 52 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, by which time it was too late.
Bucky Irving was dominant on the ground, shedding tacklers on his way to 129 yards and two touchdowns including a 43-yard scoring run, to go along with his 51 receiving yards and touchdown catch. Nix also found Tez Johnson in the endzone for the second of his touchdown passes with Johnson finishing on 94 yards for the day. Oregon showed that they continue to be a force to be reckoned with as they vie for a place in the championship game.
Arizona State @ Washington
Good teams find a way to win but Washington, the current favourites to win the conference, looked anything but title contenders against a downtrodden but determined Arizona State. Both teams’ offenses were neutralised in what turned into a defensive slugfest.
Neither Heisman contender Michael Penix Jr. nor Trenton Bourguet registered a touchdown, throwing two and one interceptions respectively. The only offensive touchdown of the game came courtesy of Sun Devils RB Riley Skattebo running it in from a yard out after ASU took possession following a fumble on a botched exchange by Penix.
ASU disrupted Penix Jr. and the passing game by applying pressure up the middle, often sending at least four pass rushers to get to the quarterback. This aggressive approach appeared to work with Penix finishing the game with just 87 yards on 4.8 yards per attempt and an interception when being blitzed per Pro Football Focus. Despite this pressure ASU only managed one QB hit during the game.
Washington did not score a touchdown until the fourth quarter. This was thanks to a pick six by safety Mishael Powell that pushed the Huskies into the lead. ASU kicker Dorio Longhetto missed from 43-yrds, finishing 0/2 on the night. Washington were able to increase their lead to eight points after Grady Gross put it through the uprights before ASU turned it over on downs and sealed the victory for the Huskies.
Utah @ USC
Utah continues to be a bogey team for Lincoln Riley’s USC as they have beaten the Trojans in their last four matchups, including last year’s championship game. Caleb Williams’ Heisman candidacy is under even more scrutiny now as he suffered his first home loss for USC following a game in which he threw no touchdown passes.
Sione Vaki was the star of the show for Utah, playing both ways at safety and receiver on his way to 149-yards and two touchdowns, one of which was a 53-yard grab from QB Bryson Barnes on the Utes third play of the game. Barnes was solid in place of injured starter Cam Rising, putting up 235 yards (a career high) and three touchdowns along with an interception.
USC fought back from a 28-14 deficit in the third quarter with the comeback triggered by Calen Bullock’s interception that he returned thirty yards for touchdown. After scoring a field goal and stopping Utah at midfield, Zachariah Branch returned the ensuing punt to the eleven-yard line setting up USC to take a one-point lead as Williams ran it in from 11-yards but failed to convert the two-point attempt.
The only problem was that there was still 1:46 left on the clock. This allowed Barnes to lead the team down the field. Ja-Quinden Jackson was able to convert on fourth and one to keep the drive alive. Bryson Barnes then dug the team out of second and fifteen with a 26-yard run that took them within the twenty-yard line. Cole Becker then converted the game winning kick from 38-yards to keep Utah’s championship dream alive.
Top Performances of Week 8:
Passing:
Bo Nix, Oregon : 18/25, 293 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT, 85.9 QBR v Washington State
Receiving:
Sione Vaki, Utah: 5 recs, 149 yards, 29.8 AVG, 2 TD v USC
Rushing:
Bucky Irving, Oregon: 15 carries, 129 yards, 8.6 AVG, 2 TD v Washington State
Defense:
Van Fillinger, Utah: 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL v USC
Power Rankings after Week 8:
1. Washinton
2. Oregon
3. Oregon State
4. Utah
5. UCLA
6. USC
7. Arizona
8. Cal
9. Colorado
10. Washington State
11. Stanford
12. Arizona State
Washington holds on to top stop as they eke out a narrow victory whilst Oregon are snapping at their heels. Oregon State remain third after their by week. Utah rise to fourth after their win in Los Angeles keeps them as contenders. All the teams in the bottom half were on a bye or lost so no movement there.
Games to Watch in Week 9:
Oregon @ Utah
A matchup with real championship game permutations. Despite the number of players they have lost to injury, you can’t count Utah out. The Utes defense can keep them in a game with anyone but the way Oregon’s offense is clicking right now may be too much for them.
Colorado @ UCLA
Colorado have had the bye week to recover from their jarring overtime loss to Stanford and Coach Prime will expect his players to come out fighting. However, they may hit a brick wall of a UCLA defense that currently leads the conference in total defense and has only allowed seven touchdowns all season.
Oregon State @ Arizona
Oregon State have gone from strength to strength as DJ Uiagalelei continues to improve. Arizona have found their identity with Noah Fafita under centre and can cause problems for even the strongest teams. This could turn out to be a tasty battle.