Pac-12 Football had a much better showing this weekend as opposed to the previous one. Week 2 was highlighted with a huge upset in Big Ten country and a walk-off touchdown at the end of regulation. Here are six quick takeaways from all the Pac-12 action.
1. Something Special Brewing in Corvallis?
For the second straight week, the Oregon State Beavers got the better end of a Mountain West foe. They beat the Fresno State Bulldogs 35-32. OSU showed some uncanny resiliency and fortitude after the Bulldogs to the 32-29 lead with a 1:05 left. Two-way player Jack Colletto scored the game-winning two-yard touchdown with no time remaining.
The Beavers are now 2-0 with a game against Montana State coming next week. They’re racked up 178 rushing yards in both their games this season. Meanwhile, quarterback Chance Nolan has done just enough through the air to keep opponents off balance. They look like ready challenge USC and Utah in their first two conference games.
2. Watch Out for ‘Jackhammer’ Jack Colletto
Speaking of Colletto, he is truly one of the most fascinating players in the Pac-12. After transferring to OSU as a sophomore quarterback, Colletto switched to linebacker as a junior. However, Coach Smith decided to run a special package for him on offense. He is the Beavers’ unstoppable short yardage specialist, and he is quite effective.
As called by @MEPOSU & heard on the @varsity app: pic.twitter.com/taDGIZILf3
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) September 11, 2022
The redshirt senior had 16 rushing touchdowns coming into this season. He’s already tallied three more this season, with two coming against Fresno State. He is an early All-Pac-12 First Team All Purpose candidate this year.
3. WAZZU’s Defense is the Unit of the Week
Despite being 17.5-point underdogs, the Washington State Cougars upset the No. 19 Wisconsin Badgers 17-14. All credit goes to their defense. The squad was on the field for over 70 plays and about 38 minutes. Yet, the defense never wilted. It held Wisconsin scoreless in the second half and came up with stops late when Wisconsin had opportunities to tie the game.
The Cougs’ offense has struggled to find consistency through two games. However, head coach Jake Dickert’s defense has come ready to play in both games.
4. USC’s Fast Start Continues
After starting the game with six-straight scoring drives against Rice last week, the USC Trojans scored touchdowns on their first five possessions against Stanford Saturday. They have outscored opponents 66-28 in the first half this season.
Lincoln Riley has his offense dialed in. It registered 505 total yards in the 41-28 victory over the Cardinal. Quarterback Caleb Williams looked close to flawless again by completing 20 out of 27 passes for 341 yards and four TDs. Yes, Rice and Stanford are not the best opponents to gauge USC’s true offensive strength. However, Williams, Jordan Addison, Mario Williams, Travis Dye and company have looked dominant thus far.
5. Growing Pains in Tucson
It was all positive for the Arizona Wildcats last week after they beat San Diego State 38-20. The negative vibes cam this week as Mississippi State stomped Arizona 39-17. The Wildcats kept it within a one-possession game into the fourth quarter. However, they didn’t have the offensive consistency to keep up.
Arizona QB Jayden de Laura completed 23 of 45 pass attempts for one TD and three interceptions. It was a poor performance, and head coach Jedd Fisch has some work to do with his transfer QB.
No, there's no quarterback controversy in Tucson. But you can't deny the difference in energy with Noah Fifita in place of Jayden de Laura. Hate de Laura's body language. If I'm Fisch, and de Laura continues to "improvise" and "throw interceptions," I'm making a change.
— Jon Gold (@ByJonGold) September 11, 2022
6. Washington’s Air Attack Has Some Juice
For the second-straight week against an inferior opponent, the Washington Huskies have looked explosive on offense. In the 52-6 win over Portland State, Michael Penix Jr. threw for 337 passing yards and two TDs.
Huskie Speed 💨
2020 All-American Jalen McMillan (@jalenmcmillan20) was moving. #PurpleReign ☔️ #AllAmericanBowl 🇺🇸
— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) September 10, 2022
Last year, the Huskies only threw for over 300 passing yards twice. They have already accomplished this feat through two games this season. Again, Kent State and Portland State are inferior opponents, but UW had issues with lower-level opponents last year (see Montana). Everyone will see how quickly HC Kalen DeBoer has fixed the passing offense against Michigan State next week.
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