FB: Week one – What did we learn?

So week one of the 2009 football season is officially in the book. And what a crazy start to the season we had. After digesting each game I asked myself, “what did we learn?”

Arizona
Matt Scott played every snap during the Wildcats’ 19-6 win over Central Michigan, and he’s been tabbed the team’s starting QB, “until things change.” That’s according to head coach Mike Stoops when he spoke at Monday’s weekly news conference. That’s not to say Nick Foles won’t see some playing time, however.

Nic Grigsby, once again, quietly put up over 100 yards (118) and added a touchdown. Yeah, he’s good. Just keep it on the down-low.

Kicker Alex Zendejas Jr. tied a school record with four field goals. Is really good? Was the record really only four? He could have broke the record had he not missed a 43 yard try in the game.

Overall the defense played well keeping Central Michigan to 182 yards and one touchdown. Chippewas senior QB Dan LeFevour was kept in check all night.

Arizona St.
The Sun Devils clobbered Idaho St. 50-3. Linebacker Mike Nixon had three interceptions—one returned for a touchdown—and a blocked punt. Yes, it’s impressive. But, let’s be real. It was against IDAHO ST. The Bengals haven’t had a winning season since 2003; including a one-win season last year.

We really didn’t learn much except Arizona St. can lay a whoopin’ on a scrub team (sorry Bengals).

Cal
Jahvid Best carried the ball only ten times, but he racked up 137 yards and one touchdown in a 52-13 win against Maryland. He started his Heisman campaign off to a good start. QB Kevin Riley had a real nice showing throwing for 298 yards and four touchdowns.

Oregon
I don’t think there’s much to say about the 19-8 whoopin’ the Ducks took against Boise St. The Broncos looked good (not great), but the Ducks couldn’t execute at all. With that said, they managed to keep the score within reach all game.

The fiasco after the game is what’s really getting all of the attention for this game. LeGarrette Blount lost his temper after being taunted by Boise St. Bronco Byron Hout and he ended up sucker punching him. It didn’t end there. Blount got in to it with a teammate, then with some of the fans who were taunting Blount as he was exiting the field. If you haven’t watched the video go to ESPN and check it out.

Oregon State
The Beavs played in-state little brother Portland State and did just what they were supposed to do; beat them 34-7. Another game where we didn’t learn much about how good the team really is.

The Rodger’s brothers, James and Jacquizz, both played well as did Sean Canfield. But overall we won’t know how good the Beavs are until they face UNLV next week and then Cincinnati.

Stanford
Stanford went and played Pac-10 foe Washington St. in Pullman beating them39-13. Head coach Jim Harbough has this team headed in the right direction and they started the season off right.

Running back Toby Gerhart ran well, but what we really learned is freshman QB Andrew Luck just might be the real deal. He threw 193 yards and a touchdown and looked good.

I know what you’re thinking and I know it was against Washington St. But the Cougars actually looked much improved over last season. The moved the ball fairly well and the QB play wasn’t too bad.

UCLA
UCLA came out with a real balanced offense gaining 359 total yards in their 33-14 win over San Diego St. QB Kevin Prince played well, which is something this team really needed. The defense stuffed the run well, but did give up 238 through the air. Of course, that’s bound to happen when your force your opponent to pass.

Not much to say as, again, this was a team playing a much weaker team in San Diego St. They did what they should have done and beat the weaker opponent.

USC

The Trojans started the game real slow. The first quarter ended 3-0 with San Jose St. ahead. Those questions about USC’s defense really started to look legit. So did the big questions of how well will freshman QB Matt Barkley do. But as the second quarter started and the game went on you really got to see this Trojans team become a unit. The defense picked it up. Those three points the Spartans led with in the first quarter were the only three they’d get all night.

Barkely played well throwing for 233 yards and a touchdown. He looked good and became comfortable back there. RB Joe McKnight 145 yards and two touchdowns.

Washington
In what was probably one of the more exciting games if the weekend, the Washington Huskies matched No. 11 LSU stride for stride. They really played well. Head coach Steve Sarkisian seems to have this team, and their fans, believing they can win and belong.

Jake Locker came out and quieted his naysayers—if even for one week—showing he can lead this team. He threw for 321 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also added 51 yards rushing.

The Husky defense played well enough to keep their team in the game for most of the night. If this team continues to play this well they may be bowl-bound this season. What a turn-a-round that would be.

Washington St.
So, I’ve already touched on the Cougars above (they played Stanford) and mentioned they looked much improved over their 2-11 season last year; and they do. But they still have a long way to go.

QB Kevin Lopina was able to led the team while he was at the helm, but Marshall Lobbestael didn’t do so well when he got on. The job will be Lopina’s to lose from here on out.

Losing to Stanford 39-13 is a far cry from their 58-0 beating they took last season.

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