The Northwest Report Week 7

The Northwest Report Week 7
By Nick Haswell Football Reporters Online

It’s hard to believe that it’s about the mid-point of the 2009 college football season. It seems just a week ago that the Washington Huskies were coming into the season with a 14 game losing streak and battling the visiting LSU Tigers tough. For the most part overall, the 2009 season has lacked the drama or a defining moment. Actually, the defining moment so far in 2009 is probably Washington defeating #3 USC on a late second field goal. Football in the Northwest in 2009 has actually had perhaps some of the craziest and most controversial action. From Oregon’s LaGarrette Blount’s punch on Boise State’s Byron Hout on the season’s opening night to UW defeating Arizona on a tipped interception off Arizona WR Delashaun Dean’s foot, college football in the Northwest has not lacked excitement. Here’s to the rest of the season being as exciting in the Northwest, and hoping that it carries over to the rest of the college football nation the rest of the 2009 season.

Here’s a quick review of last week’s Northwest college football action:

Game of the Week- Arizona at Washington: Arizona beat UW everywhere on the stat book, but lost on the scoreboard. Arizona was able to keep Jake Locker and UW’s offense off the field with a short, quick passing game, but UW defensive coordinator Nick Holt adjusted just in time that led to Mason Foster’s 37 yard INT return for a TD to win the game36-33 on the same screen play that had given UW trouble all night long.

Stanford at Oregon State: Stanford came into Corvallis atop the Pac 10, but the Rodgers brothers dominated the Stanford defense in the 38-28 win. RB Jacquizz Rodgers gained a career high 189 yards rushing and scored 4 TDs, and also added 82 yards receiving. Older brother James contributed another 78 yards receiving and a TD.

Oregon at UCLA: Coming out of the halftime tunnel down 3-0, #13 Oregon put the game out of reach early in the 3rd quarter by returning the 2nd half kickoff for a TD and then returning an INT for another TD just 13 seconds later to go up 14-3. The Ducks would go on to a 24-10 victory in a game where the Oregon defense really dominated the UCLA offense, surrendering just 211 yards of total offense.

Arizona State at Washington State: When a team gets 6 turnovers, you would expect that team to win, except when that team is Wazzu. The Cougars managed just 181 yards of total offense, 99 of them on 1 play. Wazzu’s QBs were also sacked 12 times and the Cougars turned the ball over 4 times themselves. Overall, the Cougars weren’t really as close as the 27-14 final score would indicate.

Idaho at San Jose State: The Idaho Vandals are just one victory away from bowl eligibility after their come from behind 29-25 win over San Jose St. Starting QB Nathan Enderle struggled and was benched in the 4th quarter after throwing 2 INTs. It was RBs Princeton McCarty and DeMaundray Woolridge who picked up the struggling Vandal passing game as they combined for 218 yards rushing and 3 TDs.

Cal Poly at Montana: Montana scored 21 points in the 4th quarter as the Grizzlies beat the Mustangs 35-23. WR Marc Mariani caught 6 passes for 200 yards and 2 TDs, as the Griz overcame 5 turnovers to move to 5-0.
Weber State at Eastern Washington: Perhaps EWU was looking ahead to their game against Montana this weekend. Or Weber State has finally lived up to their preseason’s expectations after dispatching the Eagles 31-13. Matt Nichols threw for 354 yards and a TD, but threw 3 INTs and the Eagles turned the ball over 5 times overall.

Portland State at Northern Colorado: Portland State held on to a 23-18 win over Northern Colorado to improve to 2-4 on the season and win their first Big Sky Conference game in 2009.

Northern Arizona at Montana State: One week after defeating nationally ranked Weber State on the road, Montana State returned home ranked 24th but lost to Northern Arizona 23-10. The Bobcats held NAU to -16 yards rushing, but could only gain 11 yards themselves. NAU QB Michael Herrick carved up the MSU defense for 388 yards through the air and a TD.

Idaho State at Sacramento State: A 21 point 2nd quarter by Sacramento State kept Idaho State winless as the Hornets defeated ISU 38-17. A positive to take from the game is that the Bengals outgained the Hornets 368-335. But 2 INT returns for TDs in that 2nd quarter by Sacramento State sealed ISU’s fate.

And now let’s look ahead to this weekend’s games. It will be a quiet week in the Northwest this weekend as Oregon, Oregon State, and Washington State all have the week off. Boise State also beat Tulsa on Wednesday night 28-21.

Game of the Week- Eastern Washington at Montana: This is a critical game in the Big Sky Conference title race. If EWU wants to figure in the race, they must beat UM based on their loss to Weber State last weekend. It will tough to achieve though, as Montana has not lost at home in conference since losing to EWU in 2005.

Washington at Arizona State: Washington is riding high after their miraculous win over Arizona last weekend. They must travel on the road to Tempe though, where they’re looking for their first road win of the season. The Sun Devils defense ranks #3 in total defense and will give Jake Locker and the Husky offense a tough challenge.

Hawaii at Idaho: The Idaho Vandals are looking to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1999 by defeating Hawaii. Hawaii is coming into the game with a 3 game losing streak, whereas the Vandals are on a 4 game winning streak.

Northern Arizona at Portland State: Portland State snapped a 3 game losing streak with their road victory at Northern Colorado. Northern Arizona’s passing game will provide a tough challenge, as they are averaging close to 319 yards passing per game.
South Dakota at Montana State: The Bobcats are looking to rebound from their home loss to Northern Arizona last weekend with a difficult non-conference tilt versus South Dakota. USD’s offense is one of the most balanced in the nation, averaging 193 yards rushing and 249 passing.

Northern Colorado at Idaho State: Idaho State may have a chance at their first victory of the 2009 season, with 1-5 Northern Colorado visiting Pocatello. The game will match up two of the poorest offenses in the nation, as Northern Colorado averages just over 290 yards of total offense per game and Idaho State averages only 219 yards per game.