Pac-12 Week 12: Teams vying for postseason eligibility as season winds down


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THE WEST COAST — As the regular season nears its end, teams are still vying for a chance at a bowl game.

With Washington State (9-2, 6-2 Pac-12) and Colorado (5-6, 2-6) off this week, most of the Pac-12 competed for a chance at postseason eligibility. Stanford won to keep Washington out of the race for the North. USC will find out its opponent in the conference championship next week. If Washington State beats Washington in the annual Apple Cup, the Cougars will win the North. If the Huskies win, Stanford will represent the North and play against USC.

Here’s a recap of how the Pac-12 performed in Week 12.

Arizona (7-4, 5-3) at Oregon (6-5, 3-5)

Score: Oregon 48, Arizona 28

Game recap: The Ducks fell behind early, but with quarterback Justin Herbert back from a fractured collarbone injury they ramped up the scores for the win. Oregon had a 28-21 advantage going into halftime. Herbert managed to lead the Ducks to score 20 more points while Arizona only put up seven more points.

Key stat: Running back Royce Freeman ran 19 times for 135 yards and four touchdowns—his first time scoring since September.

Conference implication: After missing a bowl game last year, Oregon reached eligibility with a healthy Herbert.

Arizona has already clinched a spot for a bowl, winning five of its last six games.

Next opponent: Oregon hosts Oregon State on Saturday. Arizona travels to Arizona State on Saturday.

> Ducks pull out their bag of tricks on the flea-flicker, and Royce Freeman pounds it in for his third career 4-TD game [\#GoDucks](https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoDucks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [\#AZvsUO](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AZvsUO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [pic.twitter.com/mHiocSD4R8](https://t.co/mHiocSD4R8) > > — Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) [November 19, 2017](https://twitter.com/oregonfootball/status/932080595227721728?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)

Arizona State (6-5, 5-3) at Oregon State (1-10, 0-8)

Score: Arizona State 40, Oregon State 24

Game recap: The Sun Devils marched over the Beavers from start to finish. Arizona State scored 30 points in the first half, while Oregon State managed to avoid a first-half shutout with a touchdown late in the second quarter. It was Arizona State’s largest advantage at intermission since 2013. At the end of the day, Sun Devils running back Demario Richards’ three touchdowns proved too much to overcome for the Beavers.

Key stat: The Sun Devils outgained the Beavers on the ground by 180 yards and converted on all four of their trips to the red zone.

Conference implication: Arizona State clinched bowl eligibility with this win. It also marks the seventh time since 2010 that the Sun Devils will finish the regular season with at least six wins.

The Beavers couldn’t give their 16 seniors one last win at Reser Stadium. Oregon State has one more shot at winning its first conference game of the season next week against in-state rival Oregon.

Next opponent: Arizona State hosts Arizona on Saturday. Oregon State travels to Oregon on Saturday.

> DON'T BLINK![@MannyWilkins5](https://twitter.com/MannyWilkins5?ref_src=twsrc^tfw) ➡️ [@kylewilliamsVI](https://twitter.com/kylewilliamsVI?ref_src=twsrc^tfw) in about 90 seconds and just like that, it's 7-0 Sun Devils right out the gate! [pic.twitter.com/CLLfV6tUWj](https://t.co/CLLfV6tUWj) > > — Sun Devil Football (@FootballASU) [November 18, 2017](https://twitter.com/FootballASU/status/931979825681637376?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)

California (5-6, 2-6) at Stanford (8-3, 7-2)

Score: Stanford 17, California 14

Game recap: In a low-scoring affair, California never owned the lead. The Bears had a chance to take over after a big defensive stop, a pass breakup to force a 41-yard field goal attempt. Stanford’s try failed as Jet Toner’s kick sailed wide right. California moved the chains into its opponent’s territory, but Stanford stopped the drive with an interception inside the 10-yard line. The Cardinal ran out the clock to secure victory.

Key stat: Despite re-injuring his ankle, Bryce Love ran for 101 yards and a touchdown, including a 57-yard rushing score. It was his 11th run of 50 yards or more this season.

Conference implication: Stanford did its part by winning but now needs Washington State to lose to Washington in the Apple Cup to win the North.

For a chance to go bowling, California needs to beat UCLA—which is also fighting for eligibility.

Next opponent: Stanford hosts Notre Dame on Saturday. California travels to UCLA on Saturday.

> THERE. HE. GOES. [@Blovee\_20](https://twitter.com/Blovee_20?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)'s eleventh TD rush of 50+ yards extends the Cardinal lead! > 📺 » [@FOXTV](https://twitter.com/FOXTV?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)[\#HeismanLove](https://twitter.com/hashtag/HeismanLove?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [pic.twitter.com/nkVJrUcMkK](https://t.co/nkVJrUcMkK) > > — Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) [November 19, 2017](https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/932084822146654208?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)

UCLA (5-6, 3-5) at USC (10-2, 8-1)

Score: USC 28, UCLA 23

Game recap: USC got on the scoreboard first with a tricky 72-yard punt return in the beginning of the first quarter. UCLA tied the score with a touchdown of its own but would never hold a lead of its own. The Bruins closed within five points but a missed two-point conversion and failed onside kick gave USC the win.

Key stat: Josh Rosen’s 421 yards were the most ever by a UCLA quarterback against USC.

Conference implication: With the South already locked in their favor, the Trojans didn’t take the night off. Instead, USC finished its regular season strong, showing promise as it awaits to find out who it’ll take on in the conference championship.

UCLA has relieved Jim Mora of his duties, so offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch will act as interim head coach for the rest of the year. The Bruins are unbeaten at the Rose Bowl but went 0-6 on the road. California visits on Friday, when the winner will earn bowl eligibility.

Next opponent: USC will take a week off before playing in the Pac-12 championship game on Dec. 1. UCLA hosts California on Friday.

> Another look at USC’s trick punt return TD! [\#FightOn](https://twitter.com/hashtag/FightOn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [pic.twitter.com/O426YaBgew](https://t.co/O426YaBgew) > > — USC Trojans (@USC\_Athletics) [November 19, 2017](https://twitter.com/USC_Athletics/status/932067502166646784?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)

Utah (5-6, 2-6) at Washington (9-2, 6-2)

Score: Washington 33, Utah 30

Game recap: Quarterback Jake Browning threw for 108 yards on Washington’s last two possessions to help set up a come-from-behind win. The Huskies evened the score at 30 on a 2-yard rushing touchdown with 58 seconds remaining. Utah was forced to punt on the next drive, giving Washington one more shot to win. Browning took the Huskies downfield to Utah’s 22-yard line with eight seconds left. After missing a field goal and a PAT earlier, Tristan Vizcaino redeemed himself with the game-winning field goal.

Key stat: Utah is the first team to score 30 points at Husky Stadium since the Utes did it in 2015.

Conference implication: Washington can’t play for the division title as Stanford beat California. The only thing the Huskies are competing for is a second-straight 10-win season.

Playing for bowl eligibility without several starters due to injury, Utah pulled out all sorts of trick plays from an early onside kick, which its punter recovered, and a fake punt on fourth-and-17 from its own 27 to keep the drive alive. The Utes’ gutsy play-calling worked for most of the game, but calling a critical and unnecessary timeout before Washington tried on second down ultimately gave the Huskies life to pull off a stunning last-minute win. Now, the Utes are in a do-or-die situation against Colorado to become bowl eligible.

Next opponent: Washington hosts Washington State on Saturday. Utah hosts Colorado on Saturday.

> WOOF! > > Browning ➡️ Gaskin.[\#PurpleReign](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PurpleReign?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [pic.twitter.com/tAgZE65I4T](https://t.co/tAgZE65I4T) > > — UW Football (@UW\_Football) [November 19, 2017](https://twitter.com/UW_Football/status/932124272746569728?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)

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