Best, worst from first week of football
A recap of the Pac- 12 action from Week 1…
Theme of the Week: Favorites do favorite things.
Division favorites Oregon and USC took the first of six steps toward a championship game collision. The Ducks rolled outmanned Stanford, while USC went to the wire against Arizona State. ( Reminder: The first College Football Playoff rankings will be released Nov. 24.)
Game of the Week: USC 28, Arizona St. 27.
It delivered exactly what the conference needed for the “Big Noon” audience: The appearance of an upset that morphed into a dramatic comeback as the Trojans scored two touchdowns, and recovered an onside kick, in the final three minutes. Reasonable chance this holds up as the game of the season.
Coach of the Week: Washington State’s Nick Rolovich.
The Cougars looked like they had been playing for weeks ( only five penalties and one turnover) under the leadership of a long- tenured coach with a veteran quarterback in charge and their best player in uniform … when the opposite was true on every front. No spring ball, new coach, rookie QB, no Max Borghi.
Coordinator of the Week/ Offense: CU’s Darrin Chiaverini.
Sure, the Buffaloes benefitted greatly from four UCLA turnovers, but that tells a sliver of the story. They had three long touchdown drives, gained 525 yards, committed no turnovers, scored touchdowns on six- of- seven redzone chances — and did it all with a new quarterback, new tailback and retooled receiving corps.
Coordinator of the Week/ Defense: ASU’s Marvin Lewis and Antonio Pierce.
The co- coordinators devised a zone- heavy approach that contained USC’s playmakers for 57 minutes and managed to generate pressure on Kedon Slovis. The Devils were tougher at the line of scrimmage, opportunistic and ready for everything USC attempted. In the end, the Trojans got lucky on one play ( the deflected TD) and made a phenomenal pass- andcatch on the other ( winning TD).
Play of the Week: USC’s gamewinning touchdown.
An easy call: Fourth down at the 21, game on the line, 80 seconds left, and Slovis tossed a perfect seam pass to Drake London, who was so well covered he needed to make a sensational catch. The touchdown ultimately could determine the South and elevate the Trojans to the role of playoff contender. Not sure it qualifies as the revenge of the “Jael Mary,” but it’s close.
Offensive Player of the Week: USC WR Drake London.
Several good candidates, including WSU quarterback Jayden de Laura, Colorado tailback Jarek Broussard and Oregon quarterback Tyler Shough. But London made the play of the week as part of his eight receptions and 125 yards. He was the best player on the field in the most consequential game of the day.
Defensive Player of the Week: ASU LB Merlin Robertson. The junior recorded 10 tackles against USC and was involved in two takeaways with a fumble recovery and interception. We considered his teammate, defensive lineman Jermayne Lole, but ultimately picked Robertson because of his role in the turnovers.
Debut of the Week: CU RB Jarek Broussard. The sophomore from Dallas was a redshirt in 2018 and suffered a season- ending injury in 2019, thus making Saturday his first game in 27 months on campus. And it was some debut: 187 yards, three touchdowns, plus two receptions. Broussard was a Mike MacIntyre recruit who had limited interest from Power Five programs.