The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
SEATTLE – Arizona State junior H-back Brent Miller knew something big was coming on second-and-10 from the 25-yard line Saturday in Arizona State’s first overtime since 2000.
He was running a route along the left sideline. His brother Zach was running out an up route as his part of the combination route.
Washington, after trailing all day on homecoming before 58,822 at Husky Stadium, led by three points after a 47-yard field goal to begin its second overtime in as many weeks. But the lead was short-lived, as Rudy Carpenter hit Brent Miller on a 25-yard scoring strike to lift the Sun Devils to a 26-23 victory.
“I knew that was going to be a big play,” Brent Miller said. “Either Zach was going to score a touchdown, or it was going to be me. I knew they weren’t covering it, so I was hoping we could get enough protection to get the ball out there, and we did.”
A battered offensive line gave Carpenter ample time for the pass to the 6-foot-5 Miller, covered only by 6-1 linebacker Dan Howell because of the greater coverage on All-America tight end candidate Zach.
With a second consecutive win, ASU (5-3, 2-3 Pac-10) moves within one victory of qualifying for a third consecutive bowl game.
Washington (4-5, 2-4) suffered a fourth straight loss and is in danger of not making a bowl for a fourth consecutive season.
Beavers stun USC
CORVALLIS, Ore. – It will be viewed as one of the landmark upsets in college football this season. Or perhaps any season.
But Oregon State split end Sammie Stroughter was not surprised that the Beavers prevailed 33-31 Saturday against No. 3 USC.
A deeply religious man, Stroughter said that divine intervention played a part in the game.
“It was ordained before I was born. The Lord had this day written already,” said Stroughter, who played a key role in the Beavers’ victory.
While faith may have played a part, offensive execution (no turnovers) and a critical two-point conversion stop lifted OSU to one of its most significant victories in recent memory.
USC had won 30 of the previous 31 matchups against the Beavers and a record 27 consecutive Pac-10 games.
- The (Salem, Ore.) Statesman Journal
Brink on hot streak
PASADENA, Calif. – Washington State has had some outstanding quarterbacks over the years. Alex Brink has made a solid case to join that list.
Brink came through with another fine performance Saturday, completing 28 of 38 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cougars to a 37-15 victory over UCLA.
Washington State (6-3, 4-2 Pac-10) became bowl-eligible by outscoring the Bruins 23-0 after halftime. The victory boosted the Cougars into The Associated Press rankings for the first time since the final poll of the 2003 season at No. 25.
Ducks rout Portland St.
EUGENE, Ore. – Jeremiah Johnson, replacing injured star Jonathan Stewart, rushed for 86 yards and three touchdowns to lift Oregon to a 55-12 victory over Portland State on Saturday.
- The Associated Press
PAC-10 STANDINGS
Team W-L W-L
California 5-0 7-1
USC 4-1 6-1
Washington State 4-2 6-3
Oregon 3-2 6-2
Oregon State 3-2 5-3
Arizona State 2-3 5-3
UCLA 2-3 4-4
Washington 2-4 4-5
Arizona 1-4 3-5
Stanford 0-5 0-8