Wednesday, October 22, 1997
Pac-10 Notebook
Surprises abound in Pac-10 football
When asked if the Pac-10 race has developed as predicted, Bruin
head coach Bob Toledo had a very simple answer:
"There are some surprises," Toledo said. "I don’t want to be
specific with names."
Toledo probably didn’t want to motivate any teams by calling
them either overachievers or disappointments. Therefore, he was
careful not to be too explicit. A reason for his behavior could be
a game this weekend against UC Berkeley (2-4 overall, 0-3
Pac-10).
The surprises:
Good:
1. No. 10 Washington State. The Cougars are 4-0 in the Pac-10
after a 63-37 shootout victory over California last week. If WSU
stays undefeated, a matchup against No. 7 Washington (5-1, 3-0)
could decide who travels to Pasadena to play in the Rose Bowl.
2. No. 13 UCLA. The Bruins (5-2, 3-1) lost two tough games early
in the season and could have easily folded. But UCLA bounced back
to score 66 points twice and now enjoy a five-game winning
streak.
3. No. 22 Arizona State. After last year’s magical Rose Bowl
season, the Sun Devils (5-2, 3-1) have been able to overcome the
loss of quarterback Jake Plummer to the NFL. With a 31-14 road
victory over Stanford, ASU is still capable of reaching the Rose
Bowl for a second straight year.
Bad:
1. USC. Once again the Trojans (3-3, 1-2) have a very talented
squad but, under John Robinson, USC has failed to reach its
potential. This lack of success has caused speculation that
Robinson’s job could be under jeopardy.
2. Stanford. The Cardinal (4-3, 2-2) lost to ASU last Saturday
and pretty much lost any chance for a trip to the Rose Bowl. After
starting the year ranked in the Top 25, Stanford has plummeted to
42d.
3. Oregon State. The Beavers (3-3, 0-3) have three victories
this season, but have failed to win a single Pac-10 game. The three
conference losses have put a big dent in what could have been a
miracle season. Still, a victory over Oregon could propel OSU into
a better light.
"(The Pac-10) never turns out like you’d expect," Toledo
said.
Nonleague record is best since ’88
Pac-10 teams have compiled a 22-7 record vs. nonleague opponents
this year with just one non-conference game left in the schedule
(Washington State vs. Southwest Louisiana). With a .759 winning
average, the Pac-10 is on pace to have the best nonconference
record since 1988. Five of the seven losses have been handed down
by top-10 opponents.
WSU quarterback is player of week
Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf tied a school record with
five touchdown passes against UC Berkeley last week, earning the
distinction of Pac-10 offensive player of the week. WSU scored a
total of 63 points, including a touchdown in each of its first six
possessions, to make them the highest-scoring team last week. When
compared to former Cougar and current New England quarterback Drew
Bledsoe, Leaf was quick to dismiss the comparisons.
"I take it as a compliment, but it’s not right," Leaf said. "You
can’t compare us until I’m making $42 million and playing in Hawaii
in January (in the Pro Bowl)."
ASU linebacker
is player of week
Arizona State linebacker Pat Tillman disrupted Stanford and
quarterback Chad Hutchinson by tallying 11 tackles, including three
for losses, on his way to the defensive player of the week title.
Tillman, rather small for a linebacker at 5-foot-11 and 202 pounds,
also made an interception and forced a fumble.
"Pound for pound, he is the greatest linebacker I’ve ever
coached," head coach Bruce Snyder said. "He’s smart, quick,
athletic – and he just proves that if you play smart and use that
to your advantage, then you will succeed."
Trojan is named player of week
USC place-kicker Adam Abrams kicked two extra points and two
field goals, including the game winner, against rival Notre Dame on
Saturday, earning him the distinction of special-teams player of
the week. The Trojans were able to win in South Bend, Ind., for the
first time since 1981 due to Abrams’ heroics.
Compiled by Vytas Mazeika, Daily Bruin staff