While four teams in the Pac-12 had a bye week this past weekend, the four Pac-12 match ups provided an early look at how the conference’s top teams stack up.
Arizona State rebounded from a shaky early season start to upset UCLA on the road. Stanford made a statement in a rout over Arizona, while Cal stayed undefeated by sneaking past Washington State at home.
Oregon 41 – Colorado 24
The Ducks rebounded from last week’s colossal loss to No. 5 Utah with a victory over lowly Colorado. The Buffaloes entered the game with a 17-game Pac-12 losing streak, and Oregon used a big second half to extend it.
Running backs Royce Freeman and Taj Griffin led the way for the Ducks as the team had 537 yards of total offense, 361 of which came on the ground. Freeman had 27 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns, while Griffin added 11 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Oregon’s defense, led by DeForest Buckner and Rodney Hardrick, had a much better showing this week. The Ducks held the Buffaloes to one touchdown in the second half while amassing three turnovers in the game.
No. 24 California 34 – Washington State 28
For the second week in a row, Cal trailed against a team it was favored to beat. This time, at home against Pac-12 cellar dweller Washington State, the Golden Bears were in danger of an upset.
Although WSU quarterback Luke Falk threw for 389 yards and two touchdowns, it wasn’t enough to dethrone Cal, as its defense forced four turnovers and had seven sacks in the win.
Cal quarterback Jared Goff, a Heisman trophy candidate, went 33-for-45 for 390 yards and four touchdowns, outperforming Falk and Washington State’s “air-raid” offense.
The Golden Bears get their first true test of the season when they travel to Salt Lake City, Utah next week to face the Utes. ESPN’s College Gameday will be in attendance.
Arizona State 38 – No. 7 UCLA 23
Arizona State’s season appeared to be in jeopardy after two early season losses, most recently to USC last week. The Sun Devils had the look of a determined team on Saturday at UCLA, though.
Quarterback Mike Bercovici helped Arizona State amass 465 yards of total offense, while the defense did its job in limiting UCLA playmakers Josh Rosen and Paul Perkins. Rosen completed 55 percent of his passes and added an interception, while Perkins was limited to 3.5 yards per carry.
The Sun Devils outscored the Bruins 14-0 in the third quarter to take a 29-10 lead entering the fourth, but UCLA responded with two touchdowns to get within six points late in the fourth. A Kalen Ballage 23-yard touchdown run with 45 seconds left in the game sealed the win for Arizona State.
No. 18 Stanford 55 – Arizona 17
Stanford appears to be the early favorite in the Pac-12 north after a convincing victory over Arizona at home. The Cardinal combined for 314 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, led by running backs Christian McCaffrey and Barry Sanders.
McCaffrey, Stanford’s leading rusher, scored his first rushing touchdown of the season late in the first quarter before finishing the game with 17 carries for 156 yards and that score. Sanders rushed four times, but his presence was felt as he finished with 76 yards and a score.
Arizona quarterback Jerrard Randall started in place of the injured Anu Solomon. Randall finished with 184 yards yards, 67 yards rushing, and one touchdown.
Follow Will Denner on Twitter @Will_Denner