Pac-12 Football: USC, Stanford atop Week 1 power rankings
By Dana Becker
When you play early in the week, you tend to get forgotten about unless there is an upset involved.
Utah had no problems with Weber State, scoring a 41-10 victory behind almost 600 yards of total offense. As they do, the Utes were balanced rushing for 294 and passing for 293.
Tyler Huntley completed 24 of 39 for 253 yards with four touchdowns, while Zack Moss added 150 yards rushing and a score to his night.
It wasn’t anything to really move Utah up the rankings both nationally and within its conference, but a loss would have been crushing. Now, Kyle Whittingham’s bunch can prepare for a road date with Northern Illinois feeling good about themselves.
For the fourth consecutive season, Colorado showed Colorado State who is big bigger in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, posting a convincing 45-13 victory.
Steven Montez continued to show his progress as a quarterback, throwing for 338 yards and four touchdowns. Montez completed 22 of 25 passes and even added 34 more yards and another score.
More importantly, the Buffaloes received over 160 yards out of running backs Travon McMillian and Kyle Evans. McMillian had 103 and a score, with Evans carrying the ball 12 times.
Oh, and we cannot forget about breakout star Laviska Shenault Jr., as the receiver hauled in 11 passes for 211 yards, including an 89-yard touchdown. Shenault was a standout during the preseason and shined under the big lights, as well.
Sure, North Carolina has been battling some off-the-field issues, but as far as California is concerned, picking up a win in a meeting between Power 5 schools accounts for a great weekend.
The Bears picked off four passes and Patrick Laird ran for 95 yards and a touchdown in a 24-17 victory.
Both Ross Bowers and Chase Garbers saw time at quarterback, with neither really separating themselves from the other. Bowers was 8-for-17 for 56 yards, with Garbers completing 7-of-13 for 54 and a touchdown.
California benefited from 160 yards on the ground and received a 13-tackle performance from Evan Weaver. Cameron Goode also returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown.
It was a little rocky early on for Washington State and head coach Mike Leach, as they trailed at Wyoming, 16-13, midway through the second quarter.
Eventually, though, the offense was able to start churning out points behind graduate transfer Gardner Minshew. Replacing all-time leading passer Luke Falk, Minshew was 38 of 57 for 319 yards with three touchdowns.
He connected with nine different receivers, including 10 receptions to James Williams. Max Borghi had six catches, with both Jamire Calvin and Davontavean Martin hauling in five.
The Cougar defense zoned in on taking away Tyler Vander Waal, as he was just 8-for-20 passing for 67 yards with an interception. Vander Waal replaced first round draft pick Josh Allen at quarterback.