Only two teams remain in the hunt to reach the Pac-12 Championship game heading into the final week of the regular season. Despite No. 23 Oregon’s impressive 48-28 victory over No. 24 USC, it wasn’t enough to get the team back to its second consecutive championship game.
No. 11 Stanford’s 35-22 defeat of Cal clinched its third Pac-12 North title in four years, and a trip to the championship game to face either UCLA or USC. UCLA kept its title game bid alive with a 17-9 road upset at No. 13 Utah, setting up a winner-take-all matchup with crosstown rival USC next Saturday.
Here’s how the rest of the Pac-12 fared in Week 12:
Arizona State 52 — Arizona 37
Though both teams came into Saturday’s game out of contention for the Pac-12 Championship, the rivalry game still held meaning for in-state bragging rights.
Arizona State (6-5, 4-4) and quarterback Mike Bercovici threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns, while running backs Kalen Ballage and Demario Richards combined for 225 rushing yards.
Arizona (6-6, 3-6) struggled offensively without starting quarterback Anu Solomon, who sat out the game with a concussion. Third-string quarterback Brandon Dawkins threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by a 95-yard bomb to receiver Trey Griffey.
Washington 52 — Oregon State 7
The Huskies faced little opposition on the road from the Beavers in a dominant victory. Freshman quarterback Jake Browning threw four touchdown passes and Washington scored 52 unanswered points before quarterback Marcus McMaryion connected with wideout Victor Bolden for the Beavers’ only points.
Washington (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12) must win against Washington State next Friday to become bowl eligible.
Heading into next Friday’s Civil War against the Ducks at Autzen Stadium, Oregon State (2-9, 0-8) is in danger of finishing its Pac-12 schedule without a win.
UCLA 17 — N0. 13 Utah 9
An up and down season for UCLA (8-3, 5-3) is far from over. Freshman quarterback Josh Rosen threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns, receiver Jordan Payton piled up 105 receiving yards and running back Paul Perkins added 98 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Utah (8-3, 5-3) played without standout running back Devontae Booker, who had knee surgery on Thursday, ending his season prematurely. Quarterback Travis Wilson threw for 110 yards and ran for 67 more, but the Utes were unable to find the end zone during the game as Wilson fumbled on Utah’s final drive.
Despite Utah’s early season surge, the Utes’ loss to UCLA eliminated them from Pac-12 title contention.
No. 11 Stanford 37 — Cal 22
Cal (6-5, 3-5) had plenty of chances in the “Big Game” to take the lead from Stanford (9-2, 8-1), but a combination of inefficiency in the red zone and inability to slow Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey ultimately cost the Golden Bears.
McCaffrey gained a Stanford record 389 all-purpose yards, including 192 rushing and a 98-yard kickoff return just before halftime.
Cal missed several opportunities in the red zone, settling for field goals on three possessions. Quarterback Jared Goff threw for 386 yards and two touchdowns but had three bad throws that were the difference between field goals and touchdowns. The Golden Bears conclude their Pac-12 schedule with a home game against Arizona State next Saturday.
No. 24 Washington State 27, Colorado 3
Though Washington State (7-3, 5-2) won comfortably at home, the game took a serious turn in the third quarter when Cougars quarterback Luke Falk was sacked and hit his head on the turf.
The injury appeared to briefly knock Falk unconscious, and he layed on the field for several minutes after taking the hit. Falk was eventually carted off the field and gave a fist pump to the crowd as he exited. Before the injury, Falk had 199 passing yards and a touchdown.
Colorado backup quarterback Cade Aspay threw for 238 yards in relief of injured starter Sefo Liufau.
Follow Will Denner on Twitter @Will_Denner
Pac-12 roundup: Stanford clinches the North division, UCLA and USC set for winner-take-all showdown next week
Will Denner
November 21, 2015
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