USC’s Fence-D is no match for Stanford
The Bay Area has three Division I football schools whose nicknames happen to form an apt acronym. Here’s how they did in Week 11.
BEARS: Cal 24, Arizona 16
With Jahvid Best watching from the sideline, Cal upset No. 17 Arizona and put a damper on the Wildcats’ Rose Bowl hopes with a win in Strawberry Canyon. The Bears held Arizona’s high-octane offense to only 274 yards, while backup running back Shane Vereen rushed for a career-high 159 yards. Cal did it for Jahvid. For the second time in the last three weeks, Giorgio Tavechhio was one of the Bears’ brightest stars. Tavecchio kicked four field goals and made a game-saving “tackle” on a kickoff return by Arizona’s Travis Cobb.
Up Next: at Stanford
CARDINAL: Stanford 55, USC 21
The Trojans’ D-Fence wasn’t any match for the Cardinal either, as Toby Gerhart led a bruising rushing attack that totaled 325 yards and five touchdowns in USC’s worst home loss ever. Andrew Luck’s numbers don’t jump out at you, but he made the big throws when he had to and picked up a few key first downs with his legs, leaving no doubt who the better freshman quarterback on the field was. Two plays in particular highlighted the Cardinal’s physical dominance in the game, and shockingly neither of them involved Gerhart, who added another 178 yards and three touchdowns to his Heisman resume. Ryan Whalen delivered a jarring block in the first half and tight end Coby Fleener left Taylor Mays feeling silly on his fourth quarter touchdown grab. Here’s more on Harbaugh’s decision to go for two.
Up Next: Cal
SPARTANS: Utah State 24, San Jose State 9
The Spartans lost their fifth straight, but at least some of SJSU’s players got to experience snow for the first time. “My status is one and eight, and that’s not a good status to be in as a head coach,” Dick Tomey said afterward.
Up Next: Hawaii
BCS FILM SESSION
Richard Sherman rubs it in. “Take ‘em out the Top 25!”
BCS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
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By Scott on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 6:54 am.
Tags: BCS Football Roundup
November 15th, 2009 at 7:20 am
We have a vote going on our blog regarding who is the best freshman QB in the country and right now and Andrew Luck is winning it by a comfortable margin over Forcier(Michigan), Barkley(USC), and BJ Daniels(South Florida) in that order.
Andrew Luck at the moment is the best freshman QB in the country, and overall appears equally talented with the likes of the other 3 in the poll. His stature and style are most similar to Barkley’s – pro-style, under center, pocket-passer – where Daniels and Forcier can do a little more as runners from the spread and like to throw on the run.
All of these QB’s have come up big at times under tremendous pressure in huge games – leading big 4th quarter drives and winning in hostile territory. Great stats, poise, and leadership from all of em. An amazing freshman QB class – no question. Been a lot of fun to watch. I like when the young guys step up big.
The Trojans D has to shoulder the blame this season. Barkley has had some rough times but nobody is going to win consistently with that D no matter who you have on offense, or specifically at QB. Barkley is solid and amazingly talented – he’ll be fine. Everyone has a bad game once in a while. He’s a true freshman – give him more time – let experience make him better.
November 22nd, 2009 at 5:51 am
[...] With Jahvid Best watching from the sideline, Cal upset No. 17 Arizona and put a damper on the Wildcats’ Rose Bowl hopes with a win in Strawberry Canyon. The Bears held Arizona’s high-octane offense to only 274 yards, while backup …More Here [...]