Roundup: ASU is all business in Pullman
Never much of a doubt in the Halloween contest last night as Taylor Kelly and Arizona State rolled past Washington State 55-21. Heck of a game from the ASU QB: 22-31, 275 yards and five touchdown passes (how ‘bout that one to Richard Smith?) in addition to 66 rushing yards on nine attempts and two trips to paydirt with his feet. Kelly has OWNED the Cougars the last two years, and a result of this most recent performance, the Sun Devils are bowl-eligible at 6-2.
While the Sun Devils were able to trick them for most of the night, ESPN was a rare treat for the Cougars. It was the first time since 1990 that ESPN had televised a game at Martin Stadium.
We got a game for you tonight to get your November off right with Oregon State hosting USC at 6 p.m. on ESPN2. When it comes to The Oregonian’s Oregon State-USC preview, Connor Letourneau believes the Beavers should limit the off-kilter Trojans attack. Also, check out the orange Oregon State helmets for tonight – beautiful.
Here’s some good news on the Trojans’ side of things: Marqise Lee is probable for the Oregon State game, as is tight end Xavier Grimble. So many injuries for USC this year; good to have some news about players returning to the lineup. Additionally, USC is using a search firm for its next football hire.
The Saturday slate is a little on the light side with just two games, and the fun begins when Cal welcomes Arizona to Strawberry Canyon for a 12:30 p.m. PT kickoff on the Pac-12 Networks, and here are some practice and injury updates from California Golden Blogs. Everything well sourced. Great info dump here.
This unit had been banged up a bit in recent weeks, but luckily Arizona is healthy in the secondary before playing pass-happy Cal. A win here and the ‘Cats are bowl-eligible.
The Bruins will look to right the ship against the Buffaloes in the Rose Bowl at 4:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1), and Jordon James’ status will be a game-time decision for UCLA. Mora’s leading rusher suffered an ankle injury four weeks ago.
It’s going to take some time before Mac gets the Buffs where he wants ‘em, and as a result, patience is definitely a virtue for Mike MacIntyre as he tries to turn around Colorado.
This’ll do wonders for the UW-UO rivalry: Sports Illustrated Photoshopped Washington fans out of Marcus Mariota’s cover. No game for the Dawgs this weekend. Also, let’s get unleashed with Gregg Bell as he introduces us to Nigel Williams-Goss, a freshman like no other.
Both the Cardinal and Quacks are off this week, so there is some calm before the Stanford-Oregon hype. Also, a great feature from Elliott Almond about how the Stanford-Cal rivalry has met its match with adopted half-brothers Josh Huestis (Stanford men’s hoops) and Christian Dean (Cal men’s soccer). It’d be tough to explain in a roundup, so I’ll let Almond do the ‘splainin’ for me. You should really check this one out.
Ya know, with all the hype surrounding the football team, you should probably take a moment to learn that the Ducks are No. 19 in the AP preseason men’s college basketball poll. Other Pac-12 teams include Arizona (No. 6) and UCLA (No. 22). In the USA Today Coaches Poll, Arizona is fifth, Oregon is 18th and UCLA is 23rd.
No football in the SLC this weekend, but there is some men’s hoops action between the Utes and Saint Martin’s tonight, and Utah wants progress out of its exhibition game.