Pac-Tending 11-07-07

"The coaches were trying to take them, too."

- Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter asserting that Oregon football coaches were trying to filch the play cards that fell out of his wristband protector near the Oregon sideline in last week's game against the Ducks.

Basketballs were bouncing around the Creek this week as hoop season officially begins and the traditional media poll came out with UCLA, as usual, selected as the pre-season conference favorite, gathering all but one [that went to Wazzu] of the 34 first-place votes.

Kathy Lynch was named as the Pac-10's Director of Business and Finance. Lynch comes to the Pac-10 from the University of Maryland.

Meanwhile, at NCAA HQ, federal graduation rates were released by the NCAA and nearly every main demographic group of college athletes outperformed the graduation rates for their student counterparts.

In men's hoop, the winner of the opening round play-in game for the men's basketball tournament will now receive a unit of revenue equal to winners of other first round winners.

California

In football, the Bears beat WSU, 20-17, to improve to 6-3 overall and 3-3 in conference play.

WSU

In football, the Cougars lost to California, 20-17, to fall to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in conference play. Sophomore running back Dwight Tardy was lost for the season with an ACL knee injury. Fox Sports will televise the November 17 game against Oregon State. The Cougars received a verbal commitment from receiver Jared Karstetter.

In men's hoop, 10th-ranked Wazzu won their exhibition opener, 80-42, over Lewis-Clark State. KHQ in Spokane and Fox Sports in the Pacific Northwest will televise the November 9 season opener against Eastern Washington.

In soccer, the Cougars were swept by California and Stanford to fall to 10-4-3 overall and 3-3-1 in the Pac-10 with a 58 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Cougars split their exhibition games, beating Southern Oregon but losing to Alaska-Anchorage.

In volleyball, WSU was swept by Arizona State and Arizona to fall to 9-17 overall and 0-12 in conference play.

Oregon State

In football, the Beavers lost to USC, 24-3, to drop to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in conference play. Quarterback Sean Canfield will not play this week due to a shoulder injury.

In women's hoop, OSU received a verbal commitment from forward Kirsten Tilleman.

Stanford

In football, the Cardinal lost to Washington, 27-9, to fall to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in conference play. Sophomore receiver Richard Sherman was suspended indefinitely and is not expected to play in this week's game against WSU. Sophomore running back Toby Gerhart will redshirt this season.

Oregon

In football, the Ducks defeated Arizona State, 35-23, to improve to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play. Quarterback Dennis Dixon and defensive lineman Nick Reed were named as the conference's co-offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.

Arizona State

In football, the Sun Devils lost to Oregon, 35-23 to drop to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play. Offensive lineman Zach Krula will be out for this week's game against UCLA with a knee sprain.

UCLA

In football, the Bruins lost to Arizona 34-27 to drop to 5-4 overall and 4-2 in conference play. Quarterback Patrick Cowan is out this week with a concussion and collapsed lung.

In men's hoop, guard Michael Roll will miss a month with a tear in the plantar fascia connective tissue of his left foot.

USC

In football, the Trojans beat Oregon State, 24-3, to improve to 7-2 overall and 5-2 in conference play.

Washington

In football, Washington defeated Stanford, 27-9, to improve to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in conference play Senior running back Louis Rankin was named as the conference's co-offensive player of the week.

In men's hoop, guard Ryan Appleby is out for a month with a thumb injury.

In volleyball, freshman setter Jenna Hagglund was named as the conference's player of the week.

Arizona

In football, the Wildcats defeated UCLA, 34-27, to improve to 4-6 overall and 3-4 in conference play. Arizona received a verbal commitment from running back Ryan Bass. Kicker Jason Bondzio was named as the conference's special teams player of the week.

In men's hoop, head coach Lute Olson has taken a personal, non-medical-related leave of absence and the interim head coach will be assistant Kevin O'Neill.

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