Roundup: Utah and ASU open up with W's
The Pac-12 is 2-1 on the new season, and it started off with a 56-14 Utah thumping of FCS Idaho State. Kurt Kragthorpe opines that Utah quarterback Travis Wilson was courageous in the win (how ‘bout that touchdown dive tho), while Utah return man Kaelin Clay took two back to the house – one punt, one kickoff (thanks for the highlights, Parker Baruh).
Tough, tough loss for the Cougs, dropping a 41-38 nailbiter to Rutgers in Seattle, and Uncle Ted writes that Washington State had more fourth-quarter issues. At least Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday lit up the scoreboard, throwing for 532 yards and five touchdowns (one pick) in the loss.
The final nightcap was a better result for the Conference of Champions, with Arizona State defeating Weber State 45-14. One of the many highlights from this game was that Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong started his season off on the right foot, catching 10 balls for 146 yards … in one half. Here’s some analysis from Arizona State’s win over Weber State, provided to us by Jeff Metcalfe.
Two games tonight, including the Rocky Mountain Showdown between Colorado and Colorado State (6 p.m. PT, FOX Sports 1). Here’s a Colorado-Colorado State game preview seen through a Buffalo lens (shout out to Kyle Ringo of BuffZone.com).
As Arizona gears up for UNLV Friday night at 7:30 p.m. PT on ESPN, Ted Miller gives us a feature on Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon, who will be starting in his first collegiate game. Should be a fun one.
Better set your alarm early Saturday morning, because UCLA travels to Charlottesville for a 9 a.m. PT tilt against Virginia (ESPN). Famed "Around the Horn" commentator Bill Plaschke writes that UCLA football head coach Jim Mora is looking to lead the Bruins to greatness.
The second year of the Bear Raid Era gets underway Saturday afternoon in Evanston against Northwestern (12:30 p.m. PT, ABC/ESPN2), and Mike Vernon of the SF Chronicle features the Cal football running backs, guys the coaches are urging to "step up their game".
Ready for the two-time defending Pac-12 champs to get back on the field? David Lombardi certainly is, and he provides us with some analysis on how to beat UC Davis. Card and Aggies at 1 p.m. PT on the Pac-12 Networks from The Farm.
When Oregon State greets Portland State on the field Saturday afternoon (1 p.m. PT, Pac-12 Networks), Oregon State running back Ryan Nall will get a chance to play against his older brother Jacob, a tight end for the Vikings.
A couple of headlines on the USC front as the Trojans get ready to play Fresno State Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PT on FOX: USC running back Anthony Brown quit the team, while head coach Steve Sarkisian said Josh Shaw can “potentially” return to the field this season.
Here's an Associated Press preview of one of the Pac-12 Saturday nightcaps in Washington-Hawai’i (7:30 p.m. PT, CBS Sports Network), focusing in on first-year Washington football coach Chris Petersen.
Want five things to watch for in the Oregon-South Dakota game (7:30 p.m. PT, Pac-12 Networks)? Count your lucky stars that Tyson Alger of The Oregonian took the time to whip it up for you.