We take a look at the best performances by players and coaches in Week 5
Photo: Ron Chenoy - USA Today
Article by Christopher Caravello
Week 5 of the Pac 12 was anything but predictable. Things got started with Stanford shocking Washington in Seattle after spending the week as nomads followed by Cal picking up their first victory of 2020 by defeating reeling Oregon. Utah also found its first win of the season by hanging on against a determined Oregon State, and UCLA frustrated ASU after several bend-but-don’t break moments. Colorado kept Arizona winless, and the Buffs still stand undefeated. Finally, in a Sunday night special edition of Pac 12 football, USC flexed its muscles in the first quarter in a blowout of Wazzu.
Team of the Week: USC
After missing its showdown with Colorado in a game that should have decided the South Division, the Trojans erupted for 28 points against a hapless Cougar secondary as Amon-Ra St. Brown accounted for 4 TDs. St. Brown tied the Pac 12 record for TD receptions in a single game, all within the first 15 minutes of action. The college football Twitter universe was ablaze with mentions of this looking like the “real” USC. It must be of concern for Trojan fans to see the team take its foot off the gas in the 2nd half while only amassing 5 rushing yards. Still, this was a dominant statement by USC on a unique Sunday night prime time opportunity, and it should help the Trojans move up in the rankings significantly. It also will be interesting to see how the conference handles the fact that because of the canceled game against Colorado, the Buffaloes could potentially go undefeated and still finish behind the Trojans in the division.
Play of the Week: Simi Fehoko Catch
With Stanford seeming to run at will all over Washington throughout the game, it was the clutch receptions by Simi Fehoko on its final drive that sealed the win for the Cardinal. On 3rd and 11 with just over 2 and a half minutes to play, QB Davis Mills found Fehoko for a 25-yard one-handed grab that deflated the Huskies comeback attempt. From there, Stanford was able to run out the rest of the clock on their way to another dominant and efficient offensive performance against UW. Fehoko also converted another 3rd and long earlier in the drive while the Cardinal was backed up near its own endzone.
Game of the Week: OSU vs Utah
The feelings of elation after beating its hated rival were deflated a bit once Oregon State found out it would be without star RB Jermar Jefferson this weekend. Coupled with the loss of starting QB Tristan Gebbia, not many thought the Beavers would be able to win in Salt Lake City against Utah on a frigid night at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah had been frustratingly denied its first victory of the season after a complete collapse the week before, and were eager to prove they were much better than the winless record suggested. The Utes looked like they might be too much for shorthanded OSU to handle when RB Ty Jordan scored to make it 16-3, as Jordan amassed 81 yards rushing before the break. Calvin Tyler Jr., the Beavers 3rd string RB pushed into duty after BJ Baylor was injured in the 1st quarter, scored just before halftime to cut the lead to 16-10. Things seemed to unravel for Oregon State in the 2nd half as Utah used an 89 yard play TD drive to wear down the Beavers defense. Less than a minute into the 4th quarter, Britain Covey returned a punt 64 yards to seemingly put the game out of reach. Like they did in victories over Cal and Oregon, OSU refused to go quietly as Tyler Jr. added his 2nd rushing TD of the game with 11:50 remaining. QB Chance Nolan hit Kolby Taylor for a 21 yard TD pass with 5 minutes left to pull OSU within 6, as the defense continually made crucial stops. After a successful onside kick, it seemed as if Oregon State would once again roar back to win for the 3rd straight week. Facing a 4th and 1 from the Utah 31, Tyler Jr. was stopped short and the defense was forced to try and keep the game within reach. They did exactly that, forcing Utah to punt with 1:16 remaining. Though they managed to drive into Utah territory once again, the comeback attempt was denied as Nolan’s 4th down pass to Luke Musgrave fell incomplete.
Position Unit of the Week: Stanford OL
Coming into Saturday, Stanford had the fewest rushing yards in the entire conference and were facing Washington OLB Zion Tupuola-Fetui, who had been an absolute nightmare for opposing offenses this season. At the end of the day, the Cardinal completely reversed both trends by allowing Stanford RB’s Austin Jones and Nathaniel Peat to rush for a combined 182 yards and 3 TDs on the ground while completely neutralizing ZTF. When the Huskies were able to make things interesting and pull within 5 points, Stanford amazingly ran out the entire remaining 7:47 left in the game, in big part to its offensive line holding UW at bay.
Coach of the Week: David Shaw (Stanford HC)
After being forced out of Palo Alto by a county wide mandate that banned sports, the Cardinal relocated to Seattle before its game against Washington. Living out of hotels and even practicing in the middle of a public park didn’t stop Coach Shaw from having his team ready to play against the undefeated Huskies. In a game not many expected Stanford to have a chance in, the Cardinal jumped out to a big halftime lead by scoring every time it had the ball during the first half. In these unexpected and bizarre situations that continue to alter team preparations, credit to Shaw for instilling a focus to come out and execute on offense despite the wild week and unfamiliar surroundings.
Offensive Player of the Week: Jarek Broussard (CU)
Jarek Broussard had the best performance of the Pac-12 season when he rushed for 301 yards on 25 carries against Arizona. That was good for a ridiculous 12 yards per carry and helped lead Colorado to a 24-13 win over Arizona.
Defensive Player of the Week: Tyler Johnson (ASU)
Tyler Johnson was dominant against UCLA with 6 tackles, 3 sacks and 4.5 TFL.
WestCoastCFB Offensive Team of the Week
QB: Kedon Slovis (USC)
RB: Jarek Broussard (CU)
RB: Ty Jordan (Utah)
WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown (USC)
WR: Drake London (USC)
WR: Nikko Remigio (Cal)
TE: Brant Kuithe (Utah)
OL Unit: Stanford
WestCoastCFB Defensive Team of the Week:
DL: Mustafa Johnson (CU)
DL: Tyler Johnson (ASU)
DL/Edge: Carson Wells (CU))
DL/Edge: Cameron Goode (Cal)
LB: Edefuan Ulofoshio (UW)
LB: Nate Landman (CU)
LB: Kuony Deng (Cal)
DB: Isaiah Lewis (CU)
DB: Talanoa Hufanga (USC)
DB: Olaijah Griffin (USC)
DB Mekhi Blackmon (CU)