Pac-12 Football: Stanford leads four remaining unbeatens out West
By Dana Becker
Much like over at UCLA, things are definitely not going well for cross-town rival USC. The Trojans scored just 14 points in a 23-point defeat to Texas in a game that was never really close.
Coming off a loss to Stanford in which they looked out of sorts on offense, USC again struggled. JT Daniels threw for 322 yards but failed to find the end zone, as the ground unit amassed a whopping negative-5 yards rushing when sacks were factored in.
Stephen Carr and Vavae Malepeai each scored touchdowns, running for just a net 16 yards on eight carries. Carr had a 23-yard run, finishing with just 13 on the day.
The Trojans will try to snap out of their skid when they host Washington State on Friday night.
San Diego State did everything they could to keep the Sun Devils unbeaten, but Arizona State just didn’t want it.
The Sun Devils were unable to convert a late turnover after officials reversed a call on a completed pass that would have given them the ball inside the 5-yard-line with six seconds left. Instead, a desperation pass from the 35 fell incomplete.
Entering off a big win over Michigan State, the Arizona State was ranked No. 1 against the run. Juwan Washington, though, ran for 138 of the 311 yards on 58 carries by the Aztecs.
Manny Wilkens threw for 341 yards, but Arizona State had just 36 yards on 24 carries on the ground.
The Sun Devils hit the road for a date with Washington this Saturday night.
Unbeaten and entering a bye week, California has plenty on its minds.
The Golden Bears had no trouble with Idaho State, as Chase Garbers threw three touchdowns and the ground game accounted for 213 yards.
Garbers, who passed for 224 on 20-for-25, also added 42 yards rushing to his day. The defense backed him with four sacks and a turnover.
California has a bye before hosting Washington with games at Washington State and USC to follow.
We will find out this week just how for-real Washington State is this season.
The Cougars have scored at least 31 points in wins over Wyoming, San Jose State and Eastern Washington.
Now, though, they get USC on the road in a game the Trojans must-win.
Gardner Minshew completed 45 of 57 for 470 yards with two touchdowns, the Cougar special teams scored and the defense overcame a three-touchdown showing by Gage Gubrud to pick off three passes.
There will be some fixing needed on defense after Eastern Washington ran for 141 yards on 34 carries, as the Trojans will be looking to rely on their talented back.