(Sports Network) -
ARIZONA: The Wildcats opened their 2009 campaign with a strong defensive
effort against Central Michigan, fighting their way to a 19-6 victory. Arizona
limited CMU to just 182 total yards, while also forcing two turnovers. Not to
be out-shined however, the offensive unit churned out 448 total yards. Nic
Grigsby rumbled for 118 yards and one touchdown in the win, while quarterback
Matt Scott added 83 yards on nine attempts. Scott also threw for 202 yards on
19-of-30 passing. The busiest player on the field was kicker Alex Zandejas,
who connected on four field goals. Expect the Wildcats to continue their
strong play when they host Northern Arizona this upcoming Saturday.

ARIZONA STATE: The Sun Devils put forth an all-around effort in their season-
opener, rolling over Idaho State, 50-3. ASU held the Bengals to just 37 total
yards, and forced five turnovers in the win, four of which were interceptions.
Three of those picks were by Mike Nixon, and one of those INTs were returned
for a 34-yard score. Nixon, who also blocked a punt in the contest, became the
first Sun Devil to record three interceptions in a game in 20 years.
Offensively the Sun Devils churned out 199 yards on the ground, but used a few
different weapons. Shaun DeWitty led the way with 52 yards, while Ryan Bass
added 45 yards and one score. Jarrell Woods joined the fun with 42 yards and
one TD, while Dimitri Nance scampered for 31 yards, while also finding the end
zone once. The Sun Devils will not be in action this week, but will return to
the field on September 19th when they host the UL-Monroe Warhawks.

CALIFORNIA: Jahvid Best only carried the ball 10 times in the opener for
California, but that is all the sensational tailback needed to lead the
Golden Bears to a convincing, 52-13 win over Maryland. On his third carry of
the season the junior back scampered for a 73-yard touchdown, giving the
Golden Bears a lead they would never relinquish. Best finished with 137 yards
and two scores in the contest, while Covaughn DeBoskie-Johnson added 54 yards
on nine carries, and Shane Vereen tallied 48 yards and one TD on 10 attempts.
Not to be out done was quarterback Kevin Riley, who threw for 298 yards and
four scores on 17-of-26 passing. Cal will once again be home next week when
the team hosts Eastern Washington.

OREGON: The Ducks scored just eight points in a loss to Boise State in their
opener, but the bigger loss will be LeGarrette Blount, who has been suspended
for the remainder of the season after punching Boise State defensive end Byron
Hout in the face after the contest. On top of his display, the senior running
back also had a forgettable performance on the field, carrying the ball eight
times for negative five yards. As a team the Ducks finished with just 31
rushing yards and 152 total yards in the contest. Jeremiah Masoli was not much
better under center for Oregon, as the signal caller threw for just 121 yards
on 14-of-27 passing. Obviously it was a terrible debut for coach Chip Kelly,
but he will look to bounce back next week when Oregon hosts Purdue.

OREGON STATE: The Beavers had little trouble in their season-opener, as they
road their tailback Jacquizz Rodgers to a 34-7 victory over Portland State.
Rodgers had a terrific 2009 debut, rushing for 103 yards and three touchdowns
on 16 carries. Sean Canfield and Ryan Katz both spent time under center, but
Canfield was the more impressive of the two, throwing for 158 yards and one
score on 8-of-11 passing. The strong offensive play overshadowed the team's
lackluster effort against the pass, as Oregon State surrendered 274 yards
through the air. OSU will have a tougher matchup this upcoming Saturday
against UNLV on the road.

STANFORD: The Cardinal ran right through Washington State in their opener,
defeating the Cougars, 39-13. Stanford torched WSU for 481 total yards,
including 288 yards on the ground. Toby Gerhart led the ground attack with
121 yards and two touchdowns, while Jeremy Stewart added 57 yards and one
score. Andrew Luck had a solid debut under center for the Cardinal, as the
quarterback managed the game well and finished with 193 yards and one
touchdown. The Cardinal will remain on the road for their matchup next week,
but the competition will be much tougher as Stanford travels to Winston-Salem
to take on ACC foe Wake Forest.

UCLA: After allowing 14 first quarter points, the UCLA defense regrouped and
held San Diego State scoreless the rest of the way en route to a 33-14
victory. The Bruins collected three interceptions in the victory, and also had
a blocked field goal returned 70 yards by Alterraun Verner. Offensively the
Bruins were led by Derrick Coleman, who rushed for 69 yards and one score.
Kevin Prince was a tad inconsistent in his debut, but the signal caller
managed the game well enough for UCLA to grab a win. The redshirt freshman
completed 18-of-29 attempts for 176 yards and one score, but was also
intercepted twice and sacked three times. It will get a bit tougher for UCLA
next week, as the team will travel to Knoxville to take on the Tennessee
Volunteers.

USC: The Trojans were baffled after 15 minutes of play against San Jose State,
as the Spartans ended the first quarter with a 3-0 lead. However, Pete
Carroll's team remembered who they were and responded with 56 points, while
holding SJSU scoreless throughout the rest of the contest. The Trojans
hammered out a whopping 620 total yards, and the majority of the team's
success came on the ground, as USC rumbled for 342 yards and six touchdowns.
Joe McKnight led the way on the ground, rushing for 145 yards and two
touchdowns on 14 carries. Marc Taylor added 72 yards and one TD, while Allen
Bradford posted 53 rushing yards and one score. The other two rushing TDs came
from Stafon Johnson, who finished with only 27 yards on six carries. The
bigger surprise was the poise and confidence of true freshman quarterback
Matt Barkley, who completed 15-of-19 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown.
Things might not go as smoothly for the Trojans next week as they travel to
Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes.

WASHINGTON: The Huskies were an embarrassment in 2008, losing all 12 of their
matchups. The 2009 campaign began with a similar result, as Washington was
defeated by LSU, 31-23. It is rare that a loss can be seen as a positive sign,
but in Steve Sarkisian's debut at Washington, the Huskies put forth a solid
effort against the Tigers. The Huskies racked up an impressive 478 total yards
against a tough SEC opponent, and that includes 321 yards through the air.
Jake Locker, who missed most of last year with an injury, was impressive in
his return to the field, completing 25-of-45 passes, while also tossing two
touchdowns. Locker also rushed for 51 yards in the loss, but it was Chris Polk
that led the ground game with 90 yards on 21 carries. Things should get easier
for Washington next week, as the Huskies host the Idaho Vandals.

WASHINGTON STATE: The Cougars opened the 2009 campaign with a rough, 39-13
setback to the Stanford Cardinal. Washington State was abused by Stanford's
ground game, as the Cougars surrendered 288 rushing yards and three rushing
touchdowns. On the offensive side of the football, the Cougars were a tad
inconsistent, especially on the ground, as WSU churned out just 102 rushing
yards on 3.0 ypc. Overall, the Cougars tallied 349 yards. The passing attack
was effective at times, even though Kevin Lopina and Marshall Lobbestael both
spent time under center. Lopina had a stronger showing, completing 10-of-16
passes for 122 yards and one score. As for Lobbestael, he finished with only
78 yards on 8-of-13 passing, and was sacked three times. The Cougars will try
to find the win column for the first time in 2009 next Saturday when they take
on Hawaii in Seattle.







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