Everything is set.
On the final weekend of the regular season, Arizona laid claim to the Pac-12 South division crown, capitalizing on an opportunity given to them following UCLA’s loss to Stanford by defeating Arizona State.
Elsewhere, Oregon continued its seven-game win streak with a win over Oregon State, Washington cruised to a win in the Apple Cup, while USC dominated Notre Dame.
In addition, Cal missed out on bowl eligibility in a loss to BYU and Utah staved off Colorado to hold the Buffaloes winless in conference play.
Here’s a look at this weekend’s action:
Stanford 31, UCLA 10:
It was simple for the Bruins coming in – win and face Oregon in a rematch for the Pac-12 Championship game. However, it became apparent early on that Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan had no intentions of letting that happen. Hogan turned in his best performance of the season, passing for 324 yards and two touchdowns as the Cardinal built a 21-point lead with more than 10 minutes remaining in the game. Additionally, Brett Hundley and the Bruins offense would be held to just 262 total yards of offense.
Arizona 42, Arizona State 35:
Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez didn’t want any word of the UCLA game being heard or displayed during the Wildcats’ matchup with Arizona State in the Territorial Cup. It appears to have been the right call. With Nick Wilson rushing for 178 yards and three touchdowns, the Wildcats held off its fiercest rival 42-35 and found out almost immediately after they’d be representing the south division in the Pac-12 title game. Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon added 208 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Oregon 47, Oregon State 19:
Oregon knew it would be in the Pac-12 Championship game representing the north division well before Saturday’s Civil War. However, with plenty still to play for, Marcus Mariota and the Ducks made quick and easy work of its bitter rival. The redshirt junior quarterback accounted for 404 yards of total offense and six touchdowns, indicating why – if it wasn’t already known – he is considered by most to be the best player in college football this season. Just over 25 minutes into the game, the Ducks had scored 30 points and would cruise the rest of the way.
USC 49, Notre Dame 14:
In its final regular season game of a season that has more than a few bad-breaks for the Trojans, Cody Kessler’s made his mark on this storied rivalry. Passing for 372 yards and six touchdowns, Kessler became the first quarterback in USC’s 127-year history to throw six touchdown passes in a game. In addition, USC forced two turnovers and proved to be too much for Notre Dame team that will now finish the season on a four-game losing streak.
BYU 42, California 35
A year removed of a 1-11 campaign, Cal was just one win away from becoming bowl eligible. However, that opportunity wasn’t seized, as BYU countered everything the Bears offered in a back-and-forth game that ended in a 42-35 win for the Cougars. Despite quarterback Jared Goff’s 393 yards passing and four touchdowns, BYU outdid the Bears in every fashion.
Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise
Pac-12 Roundup: Arizona emerges out of south division, to face Oregon in conference title game
Justin Wise
November 29, 2014
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