Week two of the 2005 Pacific-10 Conference season features a season opener for Stanford, a bye week for No. 1 Southern California and an early conference match-up between California and Washington.
No. 19 California (1-0) at Washington (0-1)
Cal head coach Jeff Tedford should have little trouble leading his Golden Bears past Washington under first-year head coach Tyrone Willingham. In Willingham’s debut last week against Air Force, the Huskies led late in the game, but could not stop the Falcons when it mattered most. Air Force scored in the final minute of regulation and handed Washington a 20-17 loss at Qwest Field in Seattle.
Unfortunately for the Huskies, their search for Willingham’s first win gets more difficult this weekend in Seattle. However, they will have the home crowd in their corner against the Golden Bears, who are without starting quarterback Nate Longshore. In Stanford’s 41-3 win last week over Sacramento State, the redshirt freshman broke his left ankle, leaving Tedford to select junior Joe Ayoob to start this weekend. Willingham believes that Cal’s sophomore tailback Marshawn Lynch poses the biggest threat to the Huskies.
“Obviously, we have a great deal of respect for him (Lynch) and what he has done last year and this year. He is, without question, maybe the best back in the conference,” Willingham said. “I say that knowing that you have a guy like Reggie Bush in the conference.”
Stanford at Navy (0-1)
The Cardinal has high hopes going into its season opener against Navy. Stanford has a new head coach at the helm, Walt Harris, who coached Pittsburgh to five consecutive winning seasons and a Fiesta Bowl berth last year on the heels of a Big East Conference title. Harris knows how to win games, but cannot look past this road game against Navy, which put together a stunning 10-2 season last year.
The Midshipmen return only two starters on offense, but are riding a wave of success, despite losing their opener to Maryland last week 23-20. Senior quarterback Lamar Owens will have three running backs to hand the ball to on a regular basis, resulting in prime opportunities for play action against the Cardinal.
Stanford returns nine on an offense that is in desperate need of production from senior tailback J.R. Lemon. Senior Trent Edwards returns as starting quarterback for the Cardinal, whose passing game proved efficient last season, soaring as high as 31st in the nation in yards per game. This matchup in Annapolis, Md, has all of the makings for a close game and should not disappoint.
Oregon State (1-0) vs. Boise State (0-1)
Oregon State won its first home game in newly raised Reser Stadium last weekend with ease against Portland State, and the Beavers will have a chance to notch their second win as they host Boise State this weekend. Boise State was not as successful as the Beavers in its opener. The Broncos were dominated by No. 13 Georgia 48-13.
Boise State may have fallen short of a win last week, but it does have the potential to steal a win from the Beavers if it can quiet the hostile crowd.
The Bronco’s passing attack, led by quarterback Jared Zabransky, should have no problem throwing against the Beavers’ secondary, but the biggest factor in the game will be how well Oregon State’s leading receiver Mike Hass and quarterback Matt Moore can connect against Boise State’s defense. This nationally televised game marks a true test for both programs.
Washington State (1-0) at Nevada
The Cougars are looking for their second win tonight in Reno, where they will meet Nevada for the Wolf Pack’s season opener. Washington State and second-year head coach Bill Doba are heavily favored to defeat Nevada, but stranger things have happened.
In last week’s win over Idaho, tailback Jerome Harrison got the Cougars on the board on the first play from scrimmage with an 80-yard touchdown run. The senior has the potential to put up big numbers against Nevada, as do receivers Jason Hill and Michael Bumpus.
UCLA (1-0) vs. Rice
The Owls open their season at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. this weekend against the Bruins, fresh off of their 44-21 shellacking of San Diego State on Saturday.
Maurice Drew rushed for three touchdowns against the Aztecs and could do the same, if not more, against Rice. The Bruins can make quick work of the Owls, if they do not overlook this game for next weekend’s home matchup against Oklahoma.
Arizona (0-1) vs. Northern Arizona (1-0)
Arizona lost a heartbreaker to Utah last weekend in Salt Lake City, but returns to Tucson, Ariz. this weekend for what should be an easy win over Northern Arizona. The Wildcats acknowledge this matchup against their Division I-AA neighbors from Flagstaff, Ariz., but the Lumberjacks haven’t topped Arizona since 1932.
Huskies look for first win at home against Golden Bears
Daily Emerald
September 8, 2005
California’s Marshawn Lynch, seen here last year against Oregon, will lead the Bears’ attack Saturday at Washington. The sophomore gained 147 yards on 24 carries, including one touchdown, in Cal’s season-opening 41-3 victory over Sacramento Stat
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