Around the Pac-12: Week 7

The matchup between No. 7 Washington and No. 8 Oregon lived up to the hype in what was the most anticipated game of the 2023 season up to this point. The two teams battled until quite literally the final second, providing an instant classic to viewers.

However, this may have only been the second-best PAC-12 game of the week.

In an eventful Saturday for the PAC-12 that featured three games between ranked opponents, including the first-ever Washington-Oregon game where both teams were ranked in the top 10, the most entertaining game occurred on a Friday.

Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes welcomed a struggling Stanford team to Boulder. After a nearly flawless first half gave Coach Prime’s squad a 29-0 halftime lead, it appeared Colorado would coast to an easy win.

Stanford, however, did not get that message.

After not mustering a single point in the first half, the Cardinals scored touchdowns on their first five second-half possessions. Their sixth and final drive ended in a game-tying field goal as the clock hit zeroes in the fourth quarter.

Stanford was led by wide receiver Elic Ayomanor, who may have put up the most absurd stat line of the season. Ayomanor finished with 13 catches for 294 yards and three touchdowns, including a 97-yarder that somehow wasn’t even his best play of the game.

Colorado, on the other hand, lost whatever they had going for them in an electric first half. They had one scoring drive that ended with wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter’s second touchdown catch of the day. Aside from that drive, the Buffaloes offense only mustered 79 yards in a second half the entire team would like to forget.

The teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime period, with Ayomanor making everyone watching leap out of their seats with a highlight-worthy touchdown catch on Stanford’s possession.

Hunter had a stellar game in his return from a lacerated kidney suffered against Colorado State. He finished with 13 catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns while also resuming his two-way duties, contributing five tackles on the defensive side.

However, this game will be remembered for Ayomanor’s 30-yard touchdown grab where he pinned the ball against Hunter’s helmet as he caught it.

Sanders’ son Shadeur threw for 400 yards and five touchdowns, but threw a crucial interception in the second overtime with Colorado on Stanford’s two-yard line.

The Cardinals proceeded to kick a field goal, sealing the game and completing the largest comeback in school history.

Stanford’s Friday night comeback set the table for what was expected to be an entertaining PAC-12 weekend, and Washington-Oregon delivered.

Washington gutted out a 36-33 win thanks to Heisman favorite quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throwing for 302 yards and four touchdowns.

The Huskies’ defense stopped Oregon on 4th down on three different occasions, including a 4th-and-three stop near midfield with a little over two minutes left in the game.

Penix only needed two plays and 33 seconds after that stop to give Washington the lead, with an 18-yard pass to star wide receiver Rome Odunze proving to be the game-winner.

Oregon still had a chance with 1:38 left in the game, and quarterback Bo Nix methodically drove the Ducks down the field to set up a potential game-tying 43-yard field goal.

The kick soared wide right, and Huskies fans swarmed the field after one of Washington’s biggest wins in school history.

Elsewhere in the PAC-12, No. 10 USC traveled out of conference to take on No. 21 Notre Dame.

Reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams and USC were looking to make a statement against a Notre Dame team that was coming off a loss to Louisville.

However, the Fighting Irish’s defense forced Williams into three interceptions in a 48-20 victory, handing the Trojans their first loss of the season.

No. 15 Oregon State has emerged as a dark horse PAC-12 contender, with their only loss of the season coming to Washington State.

Led by former Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, they took down their second-ranked PAC-12 team of the season after defeating No. 18 UCLA by a final score of 36-24.

Alex Perez is a second-year majoring in sports broadcasting. To contact him, please email app5877@psu.edu.