Happy Friday!
Leading off
Behind a 174-yard rushing performance and a touchdown from freshman running back Nick Wilson, the Arizona Wildcats improved to 2-0 with a 26-23 win over UTSA Thursday night.
It wasn't always pretty. After quarterback Anu Solomon connected with Cayleb Jones on an 85-yard touchdown strike to start the game, the redshirt freshman was just 16-of-31 passing the rest of the way for 146 yards.
Twice the upstart Roadrunners came back from a 10-point deficit to get to within one score. But each time the Arizona defense stiffened.
Here's the rundown.
One more game tonight as Washington State travels to Nevada looking to shake off last week's fourth-quarter loss to Rutgers. The Cougars are 2-0 all-time against Nevada, with the last meeting coming in 2005. Wazzu quarterback Connor Halliday was 40 of 56 for 532 yards and five touchdowns in the loss to Rutgers.
Ducks distractions?
Earlier this week, former Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla made some fiery accusations at his old school. John Canzano of The Oregonian fired back. From his column Thursday:
What do you do when you feel abandoned by your university? How do you respond when you see your former team talked about as a playoff contender while you struggle? What is your response when you've fashioned a reality that announces you as the victim yet again?
If you're Colt Lyerla, you burn it all down.
There's never a good time for a story like this to break, true or not. But the timing does seem a little suspicious with Michigan State coming to town for the biggest nonconference game in college football to date.
Make your pick
Here's what some folks across the country are saying about the two biggest games in the Pac-12 this week.
The Fox guys are split on Stanford and USC, but Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman both see the Ducks winning.
The USA Today consensus is on Stanford and Oregon winning, but it's not unanimous.
Ryan Kartje of the Orange County Register has both road dogs winning.
The NFL guys are mostly split, but with a majority leaning toward Stanford and Oregon.
The Athlon guys mostly favor Oregon and Stanford.
Christian Caple of The News Tribune has USC winning by a touchdown and Oregon covering the spread.
News/notes/practice reports
Some audio of Arizona State coach Todd Graham on Sirius Radio.
Some Sonny Dykes video talking practice. (That's what he's talking about. Practice).
Colorado's construction should be done in time for home opener.
Some Oregon notes, plus a (brief) response from Mark Helfrich to the Lyerla accusations.
A Q&A with Oregon State tight end Connor Hamlett.
Breaking down Stanford's tight ends.
Jake Brendel will be a game-time decision for the Bruins.
Hayes Pullard is expecting a smash-mouth game against Stanford.
Utah and Fresno State have some history from the WAC days.
Chris Petersen's thoughts on multiple topics before the home opener.
Father and son will meet Friday night when Nevada hosts Washington State.
Just for fun
"Attention passengers, if you look to your right, you'll see someone who is a big fan of the the movie The 300." What else could it be?
Flying into Oregon? Hope your flight pattern takes you over Brian's property. #GoState pic.twitter.com/5VdhkHdNsa
— Mark Hollis (@MSUAD) September 4, 2014I know the game was last night, but this is still kind of cool.
Block A flag on 16th floor of Marriott in downtown San Antonio. pic.twitter.com/OgRiADLmzW
— Daniel Berk (@DSBerk) September 4, 2014