Pac-12 Football: Arizona Wildcats Spring Game Report Card

Spring Game Type: 60-play Scrimmage

Final Score: N/A

Passing ruled the day at Arizona’s spring game.  However, that was the one area that critics were the least concerned with. 

Offense:

Nick Foles, Matt Scott, and Bryson Beirne each saw a heavy dosage of action in Arizona’s spring game, combing for 39 passes in the 60-play scrimmage.

Each player threw for over 100 yards and at least one touchdown, connecting with 13 different receivers on the day.  Beirne tacked on an additional touchdown pass before it was all said and done, leading the team with two. 

The running game was practically non-existent, though.  Sophomore Daniel Jenkins carried the ball eight times but only gained 35 yards.  Foles had the second most rushing yards with 20.

Grade: B+

Defense:

Arizona’s defense only stopped five drives and converted just one turnover during Mike Stoop’s 60-play scrimmage.

Safety Marquis Flowers led the charge for the Wildcats, jarring four tackles and breaking up two passes.

Defensive tackle Sione Tuihalamaka also exerted some dominance on the field, pulling in four tackles and notching a sack.

Overall, Arizona’s defense didn’t play that awful, but, allowing four touchdowns proves that they still need a ton of improvement before opening day.

Grade: C+  

Pac-12 Football Breakfast Links: 05.06.2011

*Oregon linebacker Kiko Alonso is suspended for a second straight season after his arrest on burglary and trespassing chargers. Perhaps Chip Kelly should cut his losses. This recruit from Los Gatos isn't going pan out as he expected. [Seattle Times]

*Speaking of the Seattle Times, Bob Condotta reminded us that the Pac-12 Bowl schedule pretty much blows.   Thanks Bob for ruining my Friday.  [Seattle Times]

*Colorado Coach Jon Embree talks about DE Forrest West's departure without really saying anything at all about what actually happened.  Great job coach.  [Denver Post]

* Steven Threet's decision to retire after a gnarly concussion last year could not have been easy.  He was a promising player and it just plain sucks that we wont get a chance to see him next year. [AZCentral.com]

*With its first real conference schedule staring them square in the face,  Utah's yearly rivalry game with BYU seems to be losing a bit of its luster.  Wait, did it have that much to begin with?  [Salt Lake Tribune]

Pac-12 Football: UCLA Bruins Spring Game Report Card

Spring Game Type:  80-Play Scrimmage

Final Score: N/A

UCLA’s spring practices did not significantly answer any of the questions that still linger from last year.  Their offense seems to still be in transition and the defense will need to carry the Bruins in 2011.

Offense:

The biggest concern revolving UCLA this spring (and it seems like every spring) is which quarterback will finally step up as the Bruins offensive leader.

With Kevin Prince sidelined this offseason, Coach Rick Neuheisel’s silent hopes that talent would miraculously emerge from his depth chart went unfulfilled.   Although Brett Hundley and Richard Brehaut each threw a touchdown pass, neither quarterback was that accurate or looked ready for real playing time.

Unfortunately for UCLA, new OC Mike Johnson seems to be abandoning the running game, which is a shame with the budding John Franklin waiting to prove his worth.

Grade: C-

Defense:

UCLA defense dropped from 27th in scoring defense in 2009 (21.2 p/g) to 85^th in the NCAA last year (30.3 p/g).  While this unexpected showing of futility shocked many, the Bruins are determined to prove it was a one year hiccup.

With eight returning starters from last year, UCLA’s defense is already showing vast improvements this spring.

Sophomore linebacker Jordan Zumwalt led the charge for the Bruins defense in the spring game, snatching five tackles and one sack.

Junior cornerback Andrew Abbott also created various frenzies throughout the day, collecting four tackles, one tackle for a loss, and two pass break ups. 

Grade: B 

Pac-12 Football: USC Trojans Spring Game Report Card

Spring Game Type: Offense (Cardinal) vs. Defense (White)

Final Score:  White 42, Cardinal 19 (White earned points by forcing punts and turnovers)

Tailbacks shine for the offense, while the White squad dispels several demons that haunted them time after time last year.   

Offense:

It is a common notion that USC’s offense leans heavily on Matt Barkley.   However, after the Trojans spring game, USC might have a few concerns about their fearless leader.

In front of a defense that was not allowed to blitz, Barkley completed only 22 of 42 passes, and threw two reckless interceptions.  While Barkley’s receiving corps was a little thin, this does not do much to ease the minor case of worries that his performance reverberated with the Trojan fans. 

To make things slightly better, USC’s running game sparkled in the spring game, with both Curtis McNeal and Dillon Baxter rushing over 100 yards. Redshirt freshman D.J. Morgan also pulled in 89 more.

Grade: B

Defense:

USC’s secondary was mocked throughout the 2010 season for its inferiority, but early signs this spring indicate that this will not be the case in 2011.

Cornerbacks Anthony Brown and Brian Baucham each intercepted passes during the spring game, while Safety Jawanza Starling collected a game-high nine tackles with a pass deflection.

The Trojans also showed decent strength with their men up front.  Defensive end Zack Kusnir pushed through the line to record two sacks and three TFLs, and defensive tackle DaJohn Harris tallied five tackles with two TFLs. 

Grade: A-

Pac-12 Football Breakfast Links: 05.05.2011

*Keith Price is named the No. 1 QB on the Washington Huskies depth chart.  The road to replacing Jake Locker starts with Price.  However, no one truly knows how high his price will go.  [Seattle Times]

*Colorado officials were granted their request to move its game with USC from Saturday Nov. 4th, to Friday Nov. 5th.  Now the entire world can see them get absolutely corn-holed in prime time. [LA Times]

*The Sun Devils lure Gonzaga's guard Demetri Goodson to play football for them.  Apparently, Arizona State's hype for next season is so big that it is pulling in recruits from other sports.  [ESPN]

*According to Darren Everson, Oregon's high speed offense is the work of geniuses. They just weren't smart enough to keep up with Cameron Newton. [Wall Street Journal]

*Utah is expected to earn $20M more with the Pac-12 next season.  Even if they lose every game next year, AD Chris Hill has to feel pretty secure with his job. [Desert News]

*Oregon and Oregon State will use Pac-12 TV money to pay bills.  Sounds like what I did with my graduation money.  [Oregon Live.com]

Pac-12 Football: California Bears Spring Game Report Card

Spring Game Type: 11-on-11 Full Team Practice

Final Score:  N/A

California suffered its first sub-.500 record under Jeff Tedford last season.  Armed with several new staff members, the Bears started the process of erasing those scathing memories during a successful spring.

Offense:

The first task for new quarterback coach Marcus Arroyo and Tedford’s revamped offensive staff was to find a new signal caller.  Brock Mansion did not impress most people after taking over for Kevin Riley and he did even less to change the minds of the coaches this spring.

Zach Maynard, on the other hand, keeps improving and took the majority of the Bears offensive snaps during their final team practice.  He finished the scrimmage completing seven of 12 passes with a touchdown and should be named the starting quarterback in the near future.

Ise Sofele, also hoping to nail down a starting role, looked powerful in the running game, gaining 77 yards on three carries with a touchdown.     

Grade: B+

Defense:

California returns only five starters from last year’s 18th ranked defense, but the Bears appear to be heading in the right direction following the spring.

The Bears’ defense picked Maynard off two times during the final scrimmage and were able to tap on his red jersey twice. 

With several holes to fill on every level of the defense, seeing consistent improvement from recruits will be necessary to keep pace in this high powered conference.  

Grade: C+

Pac-12 Football: Stanford Cardinal Spring Game Report Card

Spring Game Type: 1st Team (Cardinal) vs. 2nd Team (White)

Final Score:  Cardinal 42, White 3

The Stanford Cardinal offense hasn’t missed a beat since Jim Harbaugh’s departure.  As long as they have that Heisman Trophy candidate, they should be just fine.  

Offense:

It only took a few plays for Andrew Luck to quickly remind everyone why he is considered to be the best quarterback in the conference.  Under Luck’s directions, the Cardinal squad scored a touchdown on every drive. He connected on 16 of 22 passes and tossed three touchdowns with ease. 

Stepfan Taylor also provided the Cardinal with a steady ground game, gaining 61 yards and scoring one touchdown. 

Even with the coaching change, it appears that Stanford’s offense is still legit with Luck running the show.

Grade: A

Defense:

With the departure of Vic Fangio and five key defensive starters, there are some concerns about how the Cardinal’s defense will stack up to last year’s impressive outing. 

While Stanford is stacked at the linebacker position with Chase Thomas and Shane Skov, Thomas missed the spring game with an undisclosed matter, which raises some questions.

Despite these variables, Fangio’s successor, former secondary coach Derek Mason, is pumped about his team chances at continuing the dominance it asserted last season.

Grade: B

Fullerton Running Back Kelvin York Commits to USC

According to the OC Register, Kelvin York committed to USC without a second thought.  Minutes after receiving his offer from USC assistant Ed Orgeron, the 5'11", 225-pound running back agreed to play for the Trojans.

York rushed for 1,435 yard and 17 touchdowns for Fullerton Junior College last year.  He is the sixth player to officially commit to USC for 2012.

Here is some footage:

Pac-12 Football: Oregon State Beavers Spring Game Report Card

Spring Game Type: Scrimmage with Situational Plays

Final Score:  N/A

Key injuries kept Oregon State’s spring scrimmage from holding that much weight.  The Beavers still have way too many unanswered questions entering the summer. 

Offense:

With the key parts to its first team offense sidelined with injuries, Oregon State chose to do a spring scrimmage instead of a tradition spring game. 

Tight end Connor Hamlett saw the most action for the Beavers, catching 11 balls for 153 yards. Standing tall at 6’7”, the redshirt freshman should become an excellent target for Ryan Katz once he returns. 

While Malcom Marable rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown in this spring scrimmage, Oregon State’s overall offense is still highly questionable without Jacquizz Rodgers.

Grade: C

Defense:

Oregon State’s defense played strong in the spring scrimmage, collecting eight total sacks and four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.

Sophomore linebacker Michael Doctor patrolled the field with authority, leading the team with 10 tackles (1TFL) and reaching the quarterback once.

While this suspect success could be closely correlated with the inexperience of the offense, the Beavers defense is definitely improving, which is highly necessary if they want to stay in games against the hefty Pac-12.  

Grade: B-

Pac-12 Football: Oregon Ducks Spring Game Report Card

Spring Game Type: 1st Team (Green) vs. 2nd Team (White)

Final Score:  Green 16, White 0

Oregon reached the property limits of the promise land last season, only to find a sign that said “No Ducks Allowed”.  With only three months to recover from that disappointing ending, many expected Oregon to come out a little sluggish this spring.  This was hardly the case.

Offense:

LeMichael James didn’t miss a beat from last year’s astonishing season.  While he only carried the ball three times, on his final carry, he broke off a 67-yard touchdown run, reminding the world why Oregon is once again a National Championship contender.

While Darron Thomas didn’t put up spectacular numbers, he managed the game properly and came out with his first spring game win in three tries.

Grade: B+

 

Defense:

The first team defense pitched a shut-out for the Green squad, collecting two sacks, nine tackles for a loss, a fumble recovery, and an interception.

Sophomore defensive tackle Wade Keliikipi made the biggest splash in Oregon’s spring game, rattling off six tackles, two sacks, one TFL, and a broken up pass.

Grade: A-  

Pac-12 Football: Washington State Cougars Spring Game Report Card

Spring Game Type: 1st Team (Crimson) vs. 2nd Team (Gray)

Final Score:  Crimson 38, Gray 3

Washington State’s woes seem to be never-ending.  However, according to Paul Wulff, this is the best spring he has witnessed since joining the program.  We will have to see about that.

Offense:

Against the second string defense, Washington’s potential starting lineup looked sublime.  Unfortunately, the Cougars will be facing defenses 100-times tougher than that through the year. 

Senior Logwone Mitz stampeded for 106 yard and two touchdowns, leading the Crimson to a blowout victory against a much-overmatched Gray squad. 

Jeff Tuel also displayed promise for the Cougars.  He was fairly accurate with the ball (12-of-17) and laced a beautiful touchdown pass to Andrei Lintz in the back left corner of the endzone.

However, it is hard to tell how these performances will translate into success in 2011.

Grade: C+

Defense:

Again, with the Cougars’ first team playing against the second squad, the tilt on the scoreboard can be a little misleading.

Shining bright for Washington State on that line in the spring game was defensive tackle Brandon Rankin.  He collected two sacks against the Cougars’ spotty second tier offensive line.    

The Cougars defensive line should be one of their brightest spots all season.

Grade: C+

Pac-12 Football: Washington Huskies Spring Game Report Card

Spring Game Type: 1st Team Offense/2nd Team Defense (Huskies) vs. 1st Team Defense/2nd Team Offense (Dawgs)

Final Score:  Dawgs 31, Huskies 14

Hopes are high for Washington after the conclusion of spring activities.  While contending for a North Division title might be farfetched, a productive spring proved that these Huskies are still feeding off the momentum from their Holiday Bowl victory. 

Offense:

All eyes will be on Jake Locker’s replacement in 2011, and if the spring was any indication, it looks like it will be Keith Price.  Price, alternating between the first and second teams, lit up the spring game box score, connecting on 20 of 28 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns.

While Jermaine Kearse will certainly be the No. 1 receiver come fall, senior Cody Burns caught the eyes of many, hauling in four passes for 102 yards which included a 70 yard strike for a touchdown for Nate Montana.

The Huskies first team running game didn’t spark much attention in the spring game, gaining only 72 yards on the ground.  Chris Polk led the charge for the Huskies with seven carriers and 22 yards. 

Grade: A-

Defense:

Washington’s defensive line appears to be its most promising area on this side of the ball.

Defensive end Josh Shirley has become the talk of the town after his outstanding spring.  He capped off a successful session with three tackles, including one tackle for a loss.

The secondary has been a bit of a concern for Washington this offseason, but the returning talent has apparently impressed Steve Sarkasian.  In the spring game, the first team defense held the Huskies to 14 points, with several impressive plays throughout the game.

While the Huskies defense still needs some work, they are certainly showings areas of improvement.   

Grade: B-