Quack Fix: Reviewing Arizona State, Week 9 in College Football

Football Roundup

• Welcome back to the win column, Oregon! The Ducks (3-5, 1-4) snapped a five-game skid, their longest in 20 years, with a 54-45 victory versus Arizona State (5-4, 2-4) on Saturday. Quarterback Justin Herbert starred on offense, tying Bill Musgrave’s single-game passing record with 489 yards — a school record that had been set nine years before the true freshman was born. Let the comparisons commence!

• Looking at next week’s opponent, USC (5-3, 4-2) exploited Cals’ less-than-desirable defense, routing the Golden Bears (4-4, 2-3) on Thursday, 45-24. Running back Ronald Jones ran for a career-high 223 yards and added a touchdown, while QB Sam Darnold threw for 231 yards and five TDs to help the Trojans to their fourth straight win.
• Around the rest of the Pac-12… Just in time for midterms, No. 4 Washington (8-0, 5-0) passed its toughest test yet, topping No. 17 Utah (7-2, 4-2) on the road, 31-24. With the win, the Huskies remain undefeated and improve their College Football Playoff chances… Washington State (6-2, 5-0) overcame a three-score deficit to edge Oregon State (2-6, 1-4) on the road, 35-31. Just when it seemed like Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense had been grounded, QB Luke Falk threw for an additional four TDs in the second half to help the Cougars secure their sixth straight win… Stanford (5-3, 3-3) proved what its potential can be when healthy, as the Cardinal routed Arizona (2-6, 0-5), 34-10. Running back Christian McCaffrey looked to be in full form, accounting for 225 all-purpose yards and three TDs.
• Across the country… Someone cue KC & The Sunshine Band, because things are certainly starting to shake shake shake up in college football. Of the seven undefeated teams that played on Saturday, four of them lost… Oklahoma State stomped previously-unbeaten No. 10 West Virginia, 37-20… Wyoming also handed out a first loss, taking down No. 13 Boise State on a late-game safety, 30-28… Dare Ogunbowale’s 11-yard rushing TD lifted No. 11 Wisconsin over previously-undefeated No. 7 Nebraska in OT, 23-17… And continuing with the late-game theatrics, Texas used a last-minute field goal to hand No. 8 Baylor its first L of the season, 35-34.

#AlrightAlrightAlright

• With No. 1 Alabama and No. 20 Western Michigan enjoying bye weeks, five teams remain perfect on the season… After three lead changes in the fourth quarter, No. 4 Clemson escaped No. 12 FSU with a 37-34 win… Michigan-Michigan State kept its theme of bazaar endings intact. Following up last year’s walk-off punt fumble touchdown with something interesting would have been a tall task, but the Wolverines gave it their best shot anyway. MSU went for a meaningless two-pointer with one second remaining in an already decided game when Heisman hopeful Jabrill Peppers ran it all the way back to pad No. 2 Michigan’s lead for good, 32-23.

What can’t this guy do? No, I’m asking. Serious question.

All Things Ducks

• Women’s soccer (8-9-1, 2-7-0) split this past week, 1-1, with a 4-0 win versus Arizona State on Sunday and a 2-1 loss at Washington on Thursday. Against the Sun Devils, Maryn Beautler notched the game-winner in the fifth minute before the Ducks added an additional three scores within the first five minutes of the second half.

• Women’s tennis went 9-0 on Day 1 of the Georgia State Invitational at Piedmont Park on Friday, marking the second straight week the Ducks swept doubles in their first round of tournament play. On Day 2, the Ducks swept doubles and went 5-1 in singles play.
• Women’s golf finished fourth (293-317-295 —905, +29) at the Nanea Pac-12 Preview at the Nanea Golf Club on Tuesday. Sophomore Kathleen Scavo finished in a tie for fourth at 2-under, marking the highest finish of her career.
• Men’s and women’s cross country both placed fourth at the Pac-12 Championships at Rudolph North Golf Course in Tuscon, Ariz. on Friday.
• Women’s volleyball (14-6, 7-4) snapped a two-game winning streak, falling 3-2 against Arizona on Friday. The Wildcats squandered the Ducks 2-1 lead to win in five sets, 27-25, 17-25, 21-25, 25-13, 15-11, at Matthew Knight Arena.
• Women’s basketball trampled Northwest Christian in the exhibition opener, 89-36. Every Duck found the bottom of the net, as the team shot 56 percent from the floor and 58 percent from deep.

Before I say goodbye, say hello to HI-LIGHTS!