Pac-12 Notebook: Veteran QBs leading the way

The Pac-12, as usual, has intriguing young quarterbacks.

UCLA’s Josh Rosen and Washington’s Jake Browning are touted true freshmen who won jobs in camp and have held their jobs with some distinction.

Rosen has helped the Bruins navigate multiple key injuries en route to a 6-2 record. Browning, who missed a game because of a shoulder injury, returned Saturday night against Arizona and accounted for five touchdowns — four passing and one on the ground.

Oregon State true freshman Seth Collins has done some good things, too. Washington State sophomore Luke Falk is going to ultra-prolific.

But perhaps the most valued thing in college football is experience at the quarterback position, so perhaps it’s no surprise that the three best teams in the league right now — Stanford, Utah and resurgent USC — are all led by senior quarterbacks who are multi-year starters.

The Trojans have Cody Kessler; the Utes have Travis Wilson; Stanford has Kevin Hogan.

And Hogan really saved the Cardinal’s bacon Saturday night in a 30-28 win at Washington State.

It was tough going through the air against the Cougars, but Hogan ran 14 times for 112 yards, including a 59-yard scamper that pulled Stanford within 22-20 late in the third quarter. After a Stanford interception two plays later, Hogan finished off a 17-yard touchdown drive with a 6-yard run.

“Kevin Hogan has so much heart,” said Stanford coach David Shaw.

“He is such a fighter. I couldn’t be more proud of him because not everything was working for him and we had to lean on him as a runner, and he made some great runs. We went to Kevin to run because nothing else was working. …

“Kevin running was the last thing. I don’t know what we would have done if that didn’t work.”

It barely worked. Washington State missed a last-play 43-yard field goal attempt that would have won the game.

Stanford now has a commanding edge in the Pac-12 North. Utah still leads the South by one game over USC (which has beaten the Utes) and UCLA. For now, quarterback experience rules.

ARIZONA (5-4, 2-4)

Game: Washington 49, Arizona 3. The Wildcats got a 27-yard field goal on the opening drive and then didn’t score. Offense, defense, special teams … it was all bad for Arizona, which suffered its worst lost to Washington since a 54-0 drubbing in Seattle in 1991. The Wildcats turned the ball over four times, including two interceptions by quarterback Anu Solomon, whose streak of passes without a pick ended at a school-record 223. Arizona managed just 330 yards — 205 below its average — while playing without starting RB Nick Wilson, who did not travel because of a knee injury.

Takeaway: This looks like a case of “it’s going to get worse before it gets better.” Injury-plagued and weary (Arizona is in the midst of playing 12 consecutive weeks), the Wildcats didn’t show a lot of fight when the game against Washington started to go sideways. Arizona is sitting on five wins and would have to play about the perfect game to either win at USC this week or vs. Utah the following Saturday. UA closes at Arizona State, which has issues of its own, but is a more talented team. In short, Arizona might have do something amazing just to get bowl eligible at 6-6.

Next: at USC, Nov. 7

ARIZONA STATE (4-4, 2-3)

Game: Oregon 61, Arizona State 55 (3 OTs). In a wild game with big plays and controversial calls, Arizona State lost when QB Mike Bercovici was intercepted on a pass into the end zone on second-and-goal from the 3. Oregon had scored to lead off the third overtime on a 20-yard pass to receiver Bralon Addison in the back of the end zone that was much reviewed but ruled in. The Sun Devils piled up 742 yards and 37 first downs but they lost to the Ducks for the ninth consecutive time, allowing too many big plays to the Ducks, including a tying touchdown pass with 12 seconds left in regulation.

Takeaway: That was a tough loss for the Sun Devils, who began the season talking about all kinds of goals, all the way up to the College Football Playoff. “This one hurt as bad as any one I’ve had since I’ve been here,” said coach Todd Graham, in the midst of what would be his worst of four seasons in Tempe. What seems fundamentally wrong? Nothing major, other than inconsistency, whether it is from Bercovici or Graham’s baby — the defense — which still ranks among the best at creating havoc, but all the reward has come with a lot of risk and a lot of big plays allowed. Plenty of work to be done to get bowl eligible.

Next: at Washington State, Nov. 7

CAL (5-3, 2-3)

Game: USC 27, Cal 21. The Bears lost their third consecutive game after starting 5-0 and reaching No. 23 in the AP poll. Cal closed to within six points with 3:52 left on a touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Goff to tight end Stephen Anderson. That came one play after Cal converted fourth-and-10 with a 29-yard pass to Darius Powe, who made an over-the-shoulder catch. But USC took over at its 33 and was able to run out the clock with six consecutive runs, including two third-down conversions. Goff was 23-of-31 for 272 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Takeaway: Cal was a big tease with that 5-0 start. That the Bears have come down to earth after playing Utah, UCLA and USC isn’t a big surprise, but the lack of offense does raise some eyebrows. Even Goff’s status as the likely No. 1 quarterback prospect for the 2016 NFL Draft has taken some hits. Cal has failed to score more than 24 points in any game of this three-game skid. “Every time we lose we let an opportunity slip away,” Goff said. Said coach Sonny Dykes: “We have played really good people this year, and we are trying to get to the point to where we can beat those really good people. … I felt like we have played good enough to win at least two (of the last three) games.” A big battle awaits against Oregon, but at least the Bears should be able to score more than 24.

Next: at Oregon, Nov. 7

COLORADO (4-5, 1-4)

Game: UCLA 35, Colorado 31. The Buffs gave No. 24 UCLA all it wanted, but, as has happened so much in the past few years, Colorado came up just short. CU went on an 18-0 run to take its first lead at 31-28 with 12:04 to go. But UCLA came back later in the fourth quarter with a 69-yard drive, capped by running back Soso Jamabo’s 2-yard run with 8:28 left to play. Colorado was stopped on fourth-and-4 at the UCLA 23 on the ensuing possession, but got one more drive, starting at its 20 with 1:52 to go. That last hope was snuffed out when QB Sefo Liufau was intercepted by UCLA defensive back Nate Meadors in the final minute.

Takeaway: Colorado ran 114 plays — 114! — had 34 first downs and gained 554 yards. And it still ended up losing to a ranked team for the 20th consecutive time. Not much else for the Buffs to do but “keep sawing wood” as coaches like to say. “It was definitely frustrating in the first half,” coach Mike MacIntyre said. “But we battled back from it and had an opportunity to win the game. We just didn’t finish it.” CU needs three more wins to get bowl eligible in a 13-game season. With games against Stanford, USC, at Washington State at Utah, that is virtually impossible.

Next: vs. Stanford, Nov. 7

OREGON (5-3, 3-2)

Game: Oregon 61, Arizona State 55 (3 OTs). Quarterback Vernon Adams made a couple of stunning stay-alive plays and on-the-mark throws, including an 8-yard fourth-down pass to receiver Dwayne Stanford with 12 seconds left in regulation and then a 20-yard scoring pass to Bralon Addison at the back of the end zone to start the third overtime. Was his toe out? In? Did he drag his back foot first? Doesn’t matter. Refs called it good, and then cornerback Arrion Springs intercepted Mike Bercovici on second-and-goal from the 3 to end the game. Just in time, because the Ducks, after giving up 742 yards, were absolutely gassed on defense.

Takeaway: For Oregon, it’s all about “win and advance” because it has no margin of error and needs help to win the Pac-12 North, even if it ends up beating front-running Stanford later this month. The good news for now is that Adams is healthy, darting among defenders, playing like he’s on skates. Without him, the Ducks have no chance. With him, they still have a defense that gave up 742 yards and really had no business winning at ASU. Enjoy the Ducks for being wildly entertaining but the high-wire act does not suggest an ability to run the table.

Next: vs. Cal, Nov. 7

OREGON STATE (2-6, 0-5)

Game: Utah 27, Oregon State 12. Oregon State redshirt freshman quarterback Nick Mitchell threw for 204 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 40 yards, starting in place of injured Seth Collins, who did not travel with the team to Salt Lake City because of a knee injury. The Beavers were within one score after three quarters, down 14-6, but the Utes scored the next 10 points. Oregon State gave itself a chance at a comeback, scoring on a 2-yard pass from Mitchell to receiver Victor Bolden to make it 24-12 with 8:07 remaining, but that was as close as OSU got.

Takeaway: This season’s hard rebuild continues under first-year coach Gary Andersen, but it looks like he has Beaver believers. Oregon State showed grit in the face of tough circumstances — being on the road against the 13th-ranked team in the country without its starting quarterback — and played smart football while keeping the game close with its defense. Mitchell, who is not the runner that Collins is, acquitted himself well in his first start, too. It will be interesting to see both in the final month, assuming Collins is healthy.

Next: vs. UCLA, Nov. 7

SOUTHERN CAL (5-3, 3-2)

Game: USC 27, Cal 21. Sophomore cornerback Adoree’ Jackson returned his first career interception for a touchdown, and the USC stayed alive in the Pac-12 South race with the win. It was close. Cal scored with 3:52 left to make it 27-21, but USC was able to run out the clock with six consecutive running plays, including converting a pair of third-down conversions, before getting into the victory formation. QB Cody Kessler worked the short passing areas all game, finishing 18-of-22 for 186 yards.

Takeaway: After falling at Notre Dame in its first game of the post-Steve Sarkisian era, the Trojans have won two in a row under interim coach Clay Helton. What’s impressive in the past two games is how he has emphasized the physical over the flash. USC ran the ball 50 times against Cal — more than twice as many times as it attempted to pass. That paid off late as the Trojans were able to run out the clock. Tre Madden had a brilliant run on third-and-1 from the Trojans 42. He was initially stuffed up the middle, but he bounced around right end for a 14-yard gain. USC would be wise to simply overpower Arizona this Saturday.

Next: vs. Arizona, Nov. 7

STANFORD (7-1, 6-0)

Game: Stanford 30, Washington State 28. Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan ran for two touchdowns in the second half as the Cardinal rallied for a win, which only came after having to sweat out a 43-yard field goal attempt on the final play. WSU’s Erik Powell missed after making five field goals earlier in the game. Stanford freshman CB Quenton Meeks, making his first start, recorded his first two interceptions. His second pick set up a 19-yard field goal by Conrad Ukropina with 1:54 to go for the winning points. Hogan ran for a career-best 112 yards, and running back Christian McCaffrey added 107 on the ground.

Takeaway: Coach David Shaw said it all: “We survived by the skin of our teeth.” Surviving is all that matters. Stanford dropped from eighth to ninth in the AP poll, slipping behind Notre Dame, but the Cardinal will have a chance to take care of the Irish later this month. Stanford has only one more road trip in the regular season — at Colorado this week — before finishing with home games against Oregon, Cal and the Fighting Irish. The Pac-12 North is all but wrapped up.

Next: at Colorado, Nov. 7

UCLA (6-2, 3-2)

Game: UCLA 35, Colorado 31. The Bruins had a tough time putting away Colorado, which played keep-away from the Bruins for much of the game. The Bruins made a critical fourth-down stand with 3:34 to go and then had to rise up once more, this time with an interception from cornerback Nate Meadors with 51 seconds left. UCLA got the winning points after a 69-yard drive, capped by true freshman running back Soso Jamabo’s 2-yard run with 8:28 left to play.

Takeaway: What a bizarre game. UCLA gave up 34 first downs and had to defend 114 plays, and yet the Bruins’ defense came up with big plays at the end in what was expected to be a fairly easy win at home. “It was hard, it was a puzzle, we showed true grit, it was one of the most rewarding wins since I have been here,” coach Jim Mora was quoted as saying in the L.A. Times. While the Buffs were steadily marching, UCLA built a 21-3 lead with explosive plays — a 31-yard pass from Josh Rosen to Paul Perkins, a 96-yard interception return by Ishmael Adams and an 82-yard run by Perkins. It’s nice to have athletes. UCLA will have too many of those for Oregon State this week, too.

Next: at Oregon State, Nov. 7

UTAH (7-1, 4-1)

Game: Utah 27, Oregon State 12. Utah struggled for much of the game, but quarterback Travis Wilson threw for 198 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 56 yards and another score to help the 13th-ranked Utes finally pull away. Utah didn’t score in the second or third quarters, entering the final period with a 14-6 lead. Utah scored the next 10 points to get some breathing room, and was able to hold off the Beavers after they scored to make it 24-12 with 8:07 remaining. RB Devontae Booker carried 25 times for 121 yards and a touchdown for the Utes.

Takeaway: It wasn’t emphatic, but the Utes did bounce back with a win after the 42-24 loss at USC. Gaining only 372 yards against the worst team in the league isn’t encouraging, though, and the Utes didn’t create a turnover for the second consecutive week. Their early-season success was fueled by turnover margin, so that’s an area worth watching. Said coach Kyle Whittingham: “It was good to get a win; 7-1 was the objective coming into tonight and that was the only thing we were concerned about.” Utah will keep grinding away in what is expected to be a taut battle this week at Washington, which has the Pac-12’s top-rated defense.

Next: at Washington, Nov. 7

WASHINGTON (4-4, 2-3)

Game: Washington 49, Arizona 3. Washington true freshman quarterback Jake Browning threw four touchdown passes in his return from a shoulder injury, as he completed 16-of-24 passes for 263 yards without an interception. He also ran for a score a week after missing the game at Stanford. The Huskies’ defense, which entered the game as the stingiest in the Pac-12 (18.9 points per game) did its part by holding Arizona to 330 yards — 205 below its average. Washington came up with four turnovers, including three interceptions.

Takeaway: The Huskies’ defense, even after losing four players who were selected in the top 44 in the 2015 NFL Draft, is legit. They are fast and athletic. Said Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez: “They don’t give you anything easy. You have to earn everything, whether it’s in the throw game or in the run game. … They lost some really good ones, but they’ve recruited well at the University of Washington for the last several years.” That shows on offense, too, with a true freshman backfield of Browning and RB Myles Gaskin. Did anyone really doubt that Chris Petersen would get this thing rolling? An upcoming game at Oregon State is likely a win; the Huskies then have toss-ups against Utah and WSU at home, and a game at ASU.

Next: vs. Utah, Nov. 7

WASHINGTON STATE (5-3, 3-2)

Game: Stanford 30, Washington State 28. Kicker Erik Powell tied a school record for field goals in a game with five, but he’ll remember this game as nightmare after he missed his sixth attempt — a 43-yarder that would have won the game as time expired. Powell was responsible for WSU’s first 15 points of the game, connecting on attempts of 46, 23, 47, 28 and 28 yards. QB Luke Falk completed 35-of-61 passes for 354 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions, both coming in the second half. The second one came late in the game, setting up Stanford at the WSU 39, from which the Cardinal drove for a 19-yard field goal and the winning points.

Takeaway: The Cougars have more than just the fancy Air Raid offense; their defense was plenty salty against Stanford but came undone by a couple of big runs by Stanford QB Kevin Hogan. But anybody who watched would have thought WSU was the more physical team, which is quite a statement when playing against the Cardinal. WSU squandered a golden opportunity to take control of the Pac-12 North, but the potential for a strong finish is still very likely.

Next: vs. Arizona State, Nov. 7

NOTES, QUOTES

–Colorado senior WR Nelson Spruce became the Pac-12 career receptions leader on Saturday, finishing the game against UCLA with 11 catches. He’s up to 267 for his career, breaking the mark held by Arizona’s Mike Thomas, who had 259 from 2005 to 2008.

“It’s cool,” Spruce said after a 35-31 loss to UCLA. “It’s something I’ll be able to look back on and remember for the rest of my life, but I probably would have traded a win for it. This one hurt.”

–USC announced a plan last week to renovate and restore the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. If approved, construction would begin after the 2017 season and be completed for the 2019 home opener (home games in 2018 would not be affected). The renovation to the Coliseum, which was built in 1923, will come at a cost of about $270 million and be privately funded by USC.

By replacing and widening seats, and increasing leg room in many sections, the capacity of the stadium will be reduced from 93,607 to about 77,500.

–Trojans athletic director Pat Haden announced Friday he would step down as one of 13 members of the College Football Playoff selection committee. He cited health, as well as duties with his regular job, as reasons.

“I am reluctant to step down, but my doctors advised me to reduce my traveling,” Haden said in a statement. “With the weekly CFP meetings about to start and the travel commitment involved, I had to make this difficult decision. I feel it is in the best interest of the CFP and also of USC, with our current football coaching change and our upcoming Coliseum renovation.”

–Washington true freshman quarterback Jake Browning helped spark the Huskies against Arizona after sitting out the previous game at Stanford because of a shoulder injury. “It was horrible. It sucked,” he said of not being able to play. “You just sit there and watch; it was miserable. But that made it feel that much better to come back this game.”

–USC had to take away the helmet of sophomore WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, who suffered a fractured hand against Cal but was trying to get back into the game.

“JuJu has a fracture in his hand that he was able to cast up and play with a little bit in the second half,” said interim head coach Clay Helton. “That gave him some pain to the point where we decided to pull him. We’ll see how it goes. He’s had a fracture in that hand before and we’ve cast it up. It’ll be a total pain tolerance thing there.”

QUOTE TO NOTE: “I’m a big believer in that there is one equation in football that works, which is field position plus momentum equals points.” — Stanford coach David Shaw

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

FIVE BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM WEEK 9 IN THE PAC-12:

1. The hunt for the College Football Playoff is alive. The league’s best hope, Stanford, escaped Washington State as the Cardinal held on 30-28, its seventh consecutive victory. Stanford has beaten USC and UCLA, and could knock off Oregon, Notre Dame and the Pac-12 South champ to finish 12-1. How could you leave THAT team out of the playoff?

2. Utah’s South lead is tenuous. This week’s game at Washington looks to be a toss-up, and the Utes still have to play UCLA. USC is coming hard in the league race, a game back, with a win over Utah in its pocket. UCLA also is a game back. If the Utes’ defense isn’t creating turnovers, it won’t be easy to hang on to the lead.

3. Pac-12 replay refs can step out of the spotlight. The league had two key and controversial replay calls this week: The Oregon touchdown in the third overtime regarding receiver Bralon Addison’s toes, and a non-fumble call against Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey that provided the Cardinal comeback momentum. But nothing tops what happened in the ACC, as the league announced four errors in the officiating of Miami’s eight-lateral kick return for a touchdown to beat Duke.

4. This is not the state of Arizona’s year. The Sun Devils and Wildcats staged a winner-take-all game for the Pac-12 South last season. Arizona won that one and took the crown, a year after ASU represented the South in the league title game. This season, when the rivals meet on Nov. 21 in Tempe, the only thing on the line might be bowl eligibility.

5. No league has more talented young running backs than the Pac-12. Here are some of the first- and second-year runners in the league: Oregon’s Royce Freeman, Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, Arizona State’s Demario Richard, Arizona’s Nick Wilson, Washington’s Myles Gaskin, USC’s Ronald Jones II, UCLA’s Soso Jamabo … you get the idea.