PAC-12 GAME WINNERS AND LOSERS
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
AZTECS STUMBLE 41-16, LOSE RUNNING BACKS
RAMS ON SHORT END OF OFFENSIVE SHOWDOWN
San Diego State came into their game against Toledo looking to discover their offense.
After the first drive,things looked good as the Aztecs scored for the first time in four games on their opening drive, generating a score for the first time in the first-half in three games.Sadly, excitement was to be short lived as Cooper DiLeva’s 25-yard field goal would be their only highlight for some time. Again the Aztecs would really fail to produce on offense as they saw Toledo dominate against an emotionally down Aztec team. The Aztecs (1-3) were turned away at most every opportunity and they will work to improve as they take on Texas State in next week’s Pac-12 opener.
The Rockets led 17-3 at halftime and the Aztecs tried an onside to open the second half. They failed to recover and the next play saw Rockets Quarterback John Alan Richter hit wide receiver Bryson Hammer for a 38 yard score. This was the second score for the pair as they also had an earlier 78 yard score. Richter would throw for 284 yards on 16-22 passing with three scores. Aztec quarterback Jayden Denegal was 19-31 for 206 yards with a score and an interception. He was replaced late in the game with backup Draiden Trudeau who went 4-5 for 53 yards and a score. The Aztecs really had no sense of a running game, generating only 48 yards of offense. They had to punt six times on the day with punter Tashi Dorje amassing a 42.8 yard average. Jaylon Hawkins returned four kicks for 119 yards, including a 42 yard long to provide some spark.
Running backs Lucky Sutton and Javion Kinnard both left the game with injuries. Senior Christian Washington left the team earlier in the week so the Aztecs were extremely depleted and had to resort to redshirt Freshman Jordin Thomas and true freshman Josiah Lucas. Lucas managed 18 yards on nine carries while Thomas had one carry for eight yards. The running back by committee didn’t work and neither did the Aztecs game. With the score 27-3, Denegal had a pass intercepted and returned by Isaac Zay for a 67 yard house call. The Aztecs did manage two scores, bringing the final to 41-16. The Aztecs had several players scratched dye to a case of the mumps. Toledo outgained the Aztecs 494-296 in the rout.
Colorado State on losing end of a 59-45 offensive showdown vs. UTSA
Colorado State travelled to San Antonio for a game in the Alamo Dome and it certainly looked like it was going to be a last stand for the Rams. The fireworks started early with the Rams returning the opening kickoff 94 yards for a Mel Brown Score. The Roadrunners (3-1) had a few plays, but had to settle for a field goal, but missed. Colorado State (2-2) took over on their own 26 and quarterback K’saan Farrar hit Terrence Smith in stride and he took it to the house for a 74 yard score. Almost two minutes in and the Rams led 14-0. The Roadrunners would put together the next five touchdowns to nearly blow out the Rams, taking a 35-14 lead midway through the second period. The Rams would put up a score on a pass from Farrar to Nader Chirichi and a 35-21 halftime score. The second half was give and take as the Rams scored on a Durell Robinson one yard run. The Roadrunners scored on the ensuing kickoff as Mekhi Anderson went 100 yards and a continued Roadrunner 42-28 lead. The Rams would score next on a 3 yard run by Robinson. UTSA had a touchdown pass and the Rams would answer with a 18 yard TD run by RJ Vick. Both teams traded field goals and the Roadrunners would cap the scoring on a 47 yard run down the sidelines by A’Marion Peterson. The final score was 59-45 with both teams combining for over 1,000 yards. Colorado State had 344 yards passing while UTSA put 239 on the ground. The Rams were led by Farrar with 29-46 passing for 344 yards. The Roadrunners were paced by Owen McCown who was 20-30 passing for 303 yards and 3 scores. Colorado State plays next week at home against Oregon State in a Pac-12 Conference Game. UTSA travels to Rice. ‘
Bobcats breakout hibernating offense in 63-10 win over Incarnate Word
Texas State got the offense they have been hoping for and expecting on Saturday as they expectedly got the game they were hoping for against Incarnate Word. Both teams combined for over 1,000 yards as both UTSA and TXST lit up the stat sheets. Both schools are about 45 miles away from each other and they showed offense prowess. 23,594 fans showed up for an anticipated fireworks show as Texas State finally broke out early as Quarterback Brad Jackson hit Beau Sparks on a 63 yard scoring toss. Sparks had been injured the first 3 weeks. The Cardinals answered with a 7 play drive and a 32 yard pass from quarterback Roy Alexander to Emmett Brown. The Bobcats would score the next five touchdowns on passes and runs. Word broke that streak with a field goal to end the 3rd quarter, but the Bobcats were relentless as they added another passing score, a rushing score and a 77 yard punt return to put the cherry on top of the cake. Quarterback Brad jackson was a near perfect 17-20 for 244 yards and five scores. The BobcatsThe Cardinals threw for 53 times against the efficient Bobcats 23 attempts. Texas State travels to San Diego State for their first Pac-12 Conference match against the Aztecs next Sunday. Incarnate Word visits Stephen F. Austin next Saturday.
Boise State wins the Battle of the Broncos and the tops in the Group of 6
In a highly anticipated game, Boise State took on Western Michigan in what really was Boise State dominance. The Boise Broncos were led by quarterback Maddux Madsen who threw for three scores and running back Dylan Riley chewed up 138 yards and a score as the Broncos controlled the paddock, winning 32-7. Madsen was in total control throughout the game. In the opening drive, he connected with Matt Wagner on a 34-yard scoring strike. They would run in a two point conversion. In the second quarter Dyloan Riley would find paydirt on a five yard run. This would be the halftime score, with BSU leading WMU 15-0. It was more of the same in the third quarter as Ben Ford caught a six yard strike from Madsen and a 22-0 lead. Canaan Moore would add a 25 yard field goal, building upon a 25 – 0 lead. Midway through the fourth, Matt Wagner would take a two yard pass from Madsen to round out Boise State’s scoring. Western would finally tally points with a minute left on a 2 yard run by Cole Cabana, putting the final at 32-7. The Broncos would outpace Western Michigan 377 to 223 yards. Western only managed 113 total yards between six bucks, while Boise State tallied 173 yards behind 5 rushers. Matt Wagner would lead Boise State with 94 yards on seven receptions for two touchdowns. The game was a statement win for Boise State, continuing their trajectory for a potential College Football Playoff Spot. Boise State returns home next week to open Pac -12 play against Utah State. Western begins MAC play when they travel to Buffalo.
Cougars host Wildcats in old Pac-12 Matchup
Washington State has taken on good teams this season. They played Washington and Kansas State. Last night was no different as they took on Arizona. They were certainly ready to play as they jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. Arizona is a notorious slow starter, but fans in Martin Stadium were thinking they had this one. Quarterback Caden Pinnick started things for the Cougars (1-3) with an 11 yard run. Later in the quarter a Noah Fifita pass was snagged by Jackqujntin Bal and returned 25 yards for a pick six and a Washington State 14-0 lead. Two minutes later, Tre Spivey would take a 28 yard catch from Fifita and the Wildcats were on the Board. Later in the second quarter the Wildcats would tie with S[ivey again taking a pass, this time from four yards out for the tie. The Cougars (3-1) would hit a field goal as time was nearly expiring to take a 17-14 lead into halftime. The second half would be a tale of two tapes as Arizona controlled most of the game. They would shut down the Cougars 13-7 to ensure the margin of victory. Two Arizona field goals by Michael Salgado-Medina and another touchdown pass by Noah Fifita sandwiched around a Cougars score and Arizona felt thankful with the win. The loss drops Washington State to 1-3, albeit a pretty good team. Arizona had nearly 300 yards passing behind a 22-36 effort by Fifita. The Cougars were led by Caden Pinnick going 24-41 for 241 yards.
Cougars first year head coach Kirby Moore said, “Appreciate our players’ fight. Started fast with the TD and the interception. Third quarter we were really inefficient on offense.” Arizona hosts Cincinnati in a conference game. Washington State stays at home as they welcome Fresno State in their Pac-12 Conference opener.
Aggies get their first win in a 21-10 victory over Troy
Utah State returned home and found the friendly confines of Logan to be what the doctor ordered as they handled the Trojans(2-2) , out of the Sun Belt, 21-10. The Aggies (1-3) finally found some quarterback play as Grady Brosterhous threw for 242 yards and two scores while rushing for 89 yards as the Aggies came from behind at halftime for the win. The first half was posturing as Troy took a 10-7 lead into halftime. The Aggies responded with Brosterhous connecting with Eli Wood for a 5-yard score early in the third quarter. Later in the same quarter, Javen Jacobs added a 6-yard run to make it 21-10. This was the first rushing touchdown of the season for the Aggies who have been fairly anemic at scoring. The Aggies opened the game with a 57-yard scoring toss from Brosterhous to Jaon Robinson. He would up 18-28 passing for 242 yards and two scores. The Aggies were close with Troy in yards as they hald a slight 413-395 yard edge. The Aggies could certainly work on penalties as they shot themselves in the foot for 13 penalties for 105 yards. They did manage to snatch away three interceptions, helping to flip the field. Troy has a bye before returning home against Southern Miss. Utah State is at Boise State next week in Pac-12 Conference opening play.
Oregon State with a win over UTEP of the Mountain West shows they have something special this season.
The Beavers jumped out early and often as they took down the Miners in a cross conference game, controlling a 33-7 victory. The Miners, (1-3) new to the Mountain West, struggled on offense, managing just 222 yards of total offense on the evening. The Beavers, (2-2) meanwhile, were chewing up yards, accounting for 451, with 301 coming through the air. Quarterback Braden Atkinson threw for three scores and running back AJ Newberry rushed for 11 yards and a score Atkinson was 24-34 for 301 yards. He was helped out by standout receiver Jesse Legree with six receptions for 109 yards and two scores. Newberry had a 12 yard run to open the scoring. Atkinson added a 14-yard scoring pass to Legree and the Beavers added two field goals for a comfortable 20-0 lead at halftime. Two more touchdown passess in the second half were all the Beavers needed. The Miners QB EJ CDolson managed a 6-yard toss to Carver Cheeks in the third quarter, but they would get no closer. This was the first meeting between the two western schools, who have a long history of playing football. UTEP is at New Mexico in their first Mountain West game while Oregon State is at Colorado State for their Pac-12 opener.
In the Nightcap, Fresno State is on track as they stop a stubborn Rice Owl team
Both teams brought their firepower last night as the evening was full of long and exciting plays. Bulldog quarterback Jayden Mandal three for three scores and running back Rayshon Luke added 167 yards on the ground and a score in an exciting 38-24 Fresno State ((3-1) victory in front of 39,000 fans. The festivities began when Owl tailback Ben Grice took a handoff from his own 12 and raced untouched 88 yards. Fresno State would bounce back with a Mandal to Josiah Freeman 6-yard scoring toss to even the contest at 7. Rice (1-3) added a touchdown pass fro quarterback Max Mosey to Jacurri Brown for 40 yards and a Rice led. The Bulldogs countered with a tying strike from Mandal to Jahlil McClain. Rice hit a 22 yard field goal at the half for a 17-14 halftime lead. The Bulldogs dominated the second half as they outscored the Owls 24-7. Rayshon Luke would put the finishing nail in the coffin. Rice quarterback Jacurri Brown would throw for 119 yards and add 141 more on the ground with a score. Fellow backfield mate Ben Grice would add 109 yards on 7 carries and his long score, For the Bulldogs, Luke would carry 11 times for 167 yards and a score. Running back Bryson Donelson only added 19 yards on 9 carries in an off performance. The Bulldogs added eight plays over 15 yards, chewing up big yards in the evening. Rice returns home to take on UTSA next week while Fresno State opens Pac-12 Conference play at Washington State.
Poetic Justic as Iowa takes down Michigan on the last play
Iowa managed to turn the tables on Michigan winning on the last play of the game. They had one last snap with two seconds left and quarterback Hank Brown threw a game-ending 16-yard pass to Reece Vander ee in the front corner of the endzone for an improbable 20-19 win. Western Michigan earlier had what appeared to be a victory, but officials deemed there was still one second left on the clock and the Wolverines converted a Hail Mary for the walk-off win. The football gods were certainly on notice. Maybe this was just a little bit sweet for Western.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos