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SALT LAKE CITY — With conference play underway, Pac-12 teams have started to beat up on each other.
The North is becoming crowded with Stanford, Washington and Oregon in the mix. Oddly enough, Arizona is at the top of the South ahead of USC and Colorado.
Here’s a look at how the Pac-12 performed in Week 4.
Arizona (2-2, 1-0 Pac-12) at Oregon State (1-3, 0-1)
Score: Arizona 35, Oregon State 14
Game recap: Arizona led 14-7 at halftime. On the first possession of the second half, the Wildcats scored again to take control of the game. By the time it was 28-14, Oregon State couldn’t make anything happen to cut the spread.
Key stat: Arizona running back J.J. Taylor ran for a Reser Stadium record 284 yards and two touchdowns.
Conference implication: The Wildcats’ offensive line helped the run game explode. They’re struggling with penalties, though — they had seven for 55 yards. Arizona needs to clean up its play so it doesn’t hurt itself throughout conference play.
Oregon State needs to work on stopping the run. This was another game to learn something from as the Beavers look to play a complete game.
Next opponent: Arizona hosts USC on Saturday. Oregon State travels to Arizona State on Saturday.
Score: Washington 27, Arizona State 20
Game recap: Trailing 27-13, Arizona State quarterback ran into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown to cut Washington’s lead to one score. While the Sun Devils hoped for a Huskies’ three-and-out, officials changed a Washington third-down incompletion to a complete pass, allowing the home team to run out the clock.
Key stat: In the third quarter, Jake Browning became Washington’s second quarterback in history to hit 10,000 passing yards.
Conference implication: Washington’s offensive line played well against a defense that had 12 sacks coming into the game. Browning was sacked just once, and he had time to find his receivers downfield.
The Sun Devils found their run game after it hardly existed the past two weeks.
Next opponent: Washington hosts BYU on Saturday. Arizona State hosts Oregon State on Saturday.
Score: Stanford 38, Oregon 31 OT
Game recap: Oregon had a chance for a 30-7 lead in the third quarter, but Stanford had a scoop-and-score fumble return that ignited a comeback, resulting in overtime. The Cardinal scored first on a tipped pass. The Ducks tried to get a touchdown of their own, but their pass was also tipped, and Stanford grabbed it for an interception to end the game.
Key stat: Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns.
Conference implication: Both Stanford and Oregon are in the North, which is becoming crowded with Washington. It’ll be a battle for who takes the division crown. Oregon hosts Washington on October 13 and Stanford visits Washington on November 3.
Next opponent: Stanford travels to Notre Dame on Saturday. Oregon travels to California.
Score: USC 39, Washington State 36
Game recap: Trailing by 13 points in the second half of the game, USC started to make a comeback with a 50-yard pass touchdown in the third quarter. Freshman quarterback JT Daniels found the end zone again to put USC within one to start the fourth quarter. To tie the game with 1:41 left to play after both teams scored another touchdown each, Washington State’s field goal attempt was blocked and gave the Trojans its 18th straight home win.
Key stat: Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew completed 37-of-52 passes for 344 and three touchdowns.
Conference implication: The Trojans struggled, but were able to make a comeback thanks to big second-half plays. Mistakes continued, which included plenty of penalties. USC should grow from this game, especially knowing that Daniels will continue to get better the more he plays.
For the Cougars, there’s nothing to be too disappointed at from this game. Minshew played great against the team’s first real competition of the season. Special teams didn’t shine late in the game, but there’s more good things than bad coming from this weekend for Washington State.
Next opponent: USC travels to Arizona on Saturday. Washington State hosts Utah on Saturday.
