The conference’s reputation took another hit this week, as USC got run over by Boston College a week after the Trojans took down mighty Stanford. UCLA struggled against Texas, a week after the Longhorns got trounced by BYU, but at least they came home with the win. Colorado lost to Arizona State, but they gave them a hell of a fight. Everyone else won, including Washington State, who broke a four-game losing streak dating back to last season.
Game of the Week
UCLA Bruins @ Texas Longhorns
With Brett Hundley at the helm, even UCLA’s slow start should have been little cause for concern for Bruins’ fans, especially after the struggles Texas had last week against BYU. The problem was, Hundley didn’t make it through the first quarter. After running for a first down during the Bruins second drive, Hundley landed awkwardly and looked to have damaged his elbow, and was taken out of the game. No Heisman trophy contender, no problem. Well, almost. With backup Jerry Neuheisel taking over, and Texas passer Tyrone Swoopes starting just his second game, the defenses were in the ascendancy for much of the game. Even so, Bruin Paul Perkins stepped up in Hundley’s absence, rushing for 126 yards on 24 carries, and leading the team in receiving with five catches for 69 yards and providing a reliable check-down target for Neuheisel. The sophomore passer threw for 178 yards and two TDs, keeping the offense moving with short passes. Swoopes used a similar game plan, throwing for 196 yards and two scores, but converted on a 4th and 8 with a 33-yard pass to set up a TD late in the first quarter. Late in the game, with the home side up 17-13, the Longhorns failed to capitalize on a Jordon James fumble, setting up a William Russ punt. Russ had had an excellent evening, and boomed a 58-yarder, but Ishmael Adams finally broke loose for a 45-yard return, setting up the Bruins at the Texas 33. Neuheisel needed just one play to retake the lead, hitting Jordan Payton for a 33-yard TD. With three minutes left, the Longhorns couldn’t mount a comeback, and the Bruins got to run out the clock.
Offensive Player of the Week
Isaiah Myers, Washington State Cougars
You could put any number of players in here, after some outstanding performances this week, but Washington State’s Myers deserves the top spot for week three. Portland State had no answer to Myers, who caught 11 passes for 227 yards. Of his 11 passes, 3 were for touchdowns, while 6 more went for first downs. Myers was involved in all the Cougars scoring drives, barring the final one, which was one play. The senior caught a 67-yard pass to set up Washington State’s second TD, and when the Vikings looked like they might be mounting a comeback, Myers caught a pair of TD passes to quash any such hopes. Myers final catch of the day was a 55-yard TD in the final quarter, and put the icing on a very fine cake.
Defensive Player of the Week
Shaq Thompson, Washington Huskies
For the second week in a row, a Husky wins the defensive award, and this could become a trend this season. The Washington defensive unit put a chokehold on the Illinois offense and never really let them get into the game, but linebacker Thompson scored twice to keep the game out of reach. His first score, coming after the Huskies took a 14-3 lead, may have changed the complexion of the game entirely. The Illini had a nice first down run by Josh Ferguson wiped out by a penalty, forcing them into a passing situation. Lunt was hit as tried to pass, and the ball went straight to Thompson, who had a clear run to the end-zone from 36 yards. Barely 10 minutes of game time later, Lunt was stripped while attempting to pass, and “Johnny on the spot” Thompson picked up the loose ball on the hop and raced to the endzone for score number two. It was the first time since 1978 a Husky had returned a fumble and an interception for TDs in the same game. Thompson also had four tackles, and carried three times for 16 yards on offense.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Matt Haack, Arizona State Sun Devils
Colorado have some playmakers, and Arizona State’s defense knew they would have their hands full, as proved to be the case. However, the Sun Devils had one weapon Colorado had no answer to, punter Matt Haack. The sophomore regularly kept the Buffs pinned deep, dropping three of his seven punts inside the 20, and only having one returned. He averaged 48.1 yards per punt, with a long of 57, and only 1 punt went for a touchback. He had punts downed or fair caught at the nine, one and seven-yard lines, forcing CU to drive the length of the field to keep pace.
Team of the Week
Washington State Cougars
After a tough couple of weeks in which Washington State lost to Rutgers at home, and were then shut down by Nevada, the Cougars were in danger of their season spiraling out of control. With Portland State’s potent offense coming to town, a Cougar defense that had struggled to get opponents off the pitch over the last couple of weeks had some cause for concern. Or so they thought. The defense was great, keeping the Vikings offense under control, while Connor Halliday tore their defense to shreds, en route to 544 yards and six TDs. To add insult to injury, Halliday’s fourth quarter replacement, Luke Falk, threw an 84-yard TD pass to establish the final scoreline at 59-21. The lack of a running game has yet to be answered, but this was a much-needed, and stylish, win for the Cougars.
*Section Photo credit to Richard Mackson, USA Today Sports; Featured Photo (above) credit to Matthew Emmons, USA Today Sports
