Washington State at No. 21 Arizona (12:30 p.m. Saturday)
The Cougars are desperate to end a five-game losing streak after falling 40-14 to then-No. 25 Notre Dame last weekend. Senior running back Dwight Tardy gathered 72 yards on only eight carries, but freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel threw two interceptions and the Cougar defense gave up an alarming 592 total yards. Two weeks ago, the Wildcats earned their third Pacific-10 Conference victory over a struggling UCLA team. Though sophomore quarterback Nick Foles threw three interceptions and the offense combined for five total turnovers, Arizona still emerged with a 27-13 victory behind stellar defensive play. The Bruins were held to just 211 total offensive yards, and none of the three quarterbacks they used guided the team into the end zone.
Key stat: Last year, the Wildcats had 531 yards of offense in a 59-28 victory over the Cougars.
Washington at UCLA (12:30 p.m.)
UCLA is officially in a tailspin, having lost its first five Pac-10 matchups. The Bruins came tantalizingly close to their first conference victory last weekend against Oregon State before ultimately falling 26-19. Quarterback Kevin Prince finished the day with 323 yards and two touchdowns, and sophomore wide receiver Nelson Rosario totaled a career-high 152 yards. Washington comes off a much-needed bye week after a 43-19 drubbing at the hands of Oregon. All eyes will be on junior quarterback Jake Locker, who has thrown four interceptions in his last two games and could have a tough time against the conference’s second best pass-defense. UCLA allows only 197.6 yards per game and has intercepted 12 passes this season.
Key stat: Locker has thrown for over 200 yards in all but two games this year.
Oregon State at No. 23 California (4 p.m.)
The Beavers’ confidence continues to grow as they have now won three of their last four games. Not surprisingly, their resurgence has been keyed by the Rodgers brothers. Against UCLA last week, junior wide receiver James Rodgers ran for the winning touchdown with 44 seconds remaining, finishing with 106 yards receiving to go along with 28 rushing. Running back Jacquizz Rodgers, meanwhile, did just about everything for the Beavers. The dynamic sophomore ran for 112 yards, caught seven passes for 92 yards, and even threw for a touchdown. Senior quarterback Sean Canfield also seems to be hitting his stride and has gone without an interception in each of his last three games.
California, meanwhile, seems to have put embarrassing losses to Oregon and USC behind it and has won three straight. Most recently, the Golden Bears eked out a 23-21 victory over Arizona State. Junior quarterback Kevin Riley threw for 351 yards and two touchdowns, while junior running back Jahvid Best had 124 total yards and a touchdown. Kicker Giorgio Tavecchio kicked three field goals, including a 24-yard game-winner with 21 seconds left.
Key stat: Over his last three games, Riley has thrown for 8 touchdowns. He had thrown only five through his first five games.
No. 12 USC at Arizona State (5 p.m.)
Embarrassed by a Halloween blowout against Oregon, the Trojans will look to come out firing on all cylinders against Arizona State. The Trojans defense should be particularly motivated after giving up 47 points and 613 total yards to the Ducks offense. Freshman quarterback Matt Barkley will also look to improve upon his performance last week, as he threw for two touchdowns but only 187 yards. The Sun Devils are coming off a heartbreaking 23-21 loss to California at home. Senior quarterback Danny Sullivan threw for 244 yards but had two interceptions, and Arizona State’s defense gave up 408 total yards.
Key stat: USC has not lost back-to-back games since the 2001 season.
[email protected]
USC trying to bounce back at ASU
Daily Emerald
November 5, 2009
More to Discover