Washington Huskies

What did we learn in Week 11? Read on.

Hogan was the right choice for Stanford: It seemed like odd timing that Stanford coach David Shaw switched starting quarterbacks as his team headed into its biggest game of the year, but freshman Kevin Hogan made his coach look smart, though it wasn't always pretty. Hogan completed 22 of 29 passes for 254 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in a 27-23 victory over Oregon State. He also rushed for 49 yards on 11 carries. His biggest pass was a 13-yard strike to tight end Zach Ertz for the winning points. Hogan was effective with his feet and his arm, and he didn't wilt when things didn't go his way through most of the second and third quarters. Now he faces a bigger test: Oregon at Autzen Stadium.

USC shows some grit: USC held Arizona State to only 250 yards and three second-half points in a 38-17 win. The Trojans trailed 17-14 early in the third, and it looked as though they might pack it in for the season. But with senior center Khaled Holmes exhorting his teammates on the sidelines, USC showed some grit, particularly on defense. The same defense that got ripped by Arizona and Oregon's spread offenses shut down the Sun Devils, recording six sacks and forcing four turnovers. It was far from perfect. On the day quarterback Matt Barkley set the Pac-12 career passing yardage record (12,026 yards), surpassing the previous mark held by Carson Palmer, he threw three interceptions. Still, the Trojans play archrival UCLA next weekend for the Pac-12 South Division title.

Ducks are banged up with Stanford coming to town, but will that matter? Oregon arrived at California with major injury issues, particularly with its defensive front, and things only got worse as the game went on. The Ducks, however, pulled themselves together and dominated the Bears in the second half, winning 59-17. Still, Stanford, which visits Autzen Stadium on Saturday, is a much better team that Cal, particularly on the offensive line. Will the Ducks get some guys back, such as defensive linemen Ricky Heimuli, Dion Jordan and Isaac Remington? The Ducks don't talk about injuries, but injuries will be something lots of folks are talking about this week. Or speculating on.

UCLA gets its big shot at vulnerable USC: While UCLA let up in the second half at Washington State -- the Bruins were outscored 29-7 and won only 44-36 -- that doesn't change the big possibilities that lie ahead. Now 8-2, the Bruins can win the Pac-12 South Division if they beat archrival USC in the Rose Bowl on Saturday. That would mean stomping on the Trojans' once-hyped season, which would inspire plenty of consternation in Heritage Hall. UCLA fans would love to do that. And it would mean the Bruins could end up in the Rose Bowl, either as the Pac-12 champions or as an at-large selection. So big stakes are at hand.

Huskies step up, Utes step back: Utah and Washington squared off as teams that weathered midseason adversity and had won two in a row. But only one could maintain positive momentum. The Huskies' decisive 35-14 victory boosted their record to 6-4, earning them bowl eligibility. They can continue to climb the pecking order if they can beat Colorado and Washington State over the next two weekends, though both games are on the road. The Utes' offensive surge came to an end, with only 55 yards passing. They need to win their next two games, at home to Arizona and at Colorado.

Picking two first-team All-Pac-12 running backs won't be easy: Arizona running back Ka'Deem Carey rushed for 366 yards -- a new Pac-12 single-game record -- and five touchdowns in Arizona's 56-31 win over Colorado. He will take over the Pac-12 rushing lead, as Oregon's Kenjon Barner (65 yards) and UCLA's Johnathan Franklin (66 yards) had subpar games. The final two weeks probably will decide the two guys who end up first-team All-Pac-12.

SEATTLE -- Washington quarterback Keith Price put together one of his best performances of the season, helping the Huskies’ offense get untracked Saturday during a 34-15 victory over Utah at CenturyLink Field.


It was over when: Utah tried to convert a fourth-and-1 from its 43 on the Utes’ first drive of the third quarter. Danny Shelton and John Timu stuffed running back John White. The Huskies quickly scored on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Price to DiAndre Campbell to take a 21-8 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Game ball goes to: Price. There has been talk all year about the quarterback’s struggles in his junior season, but he put all of that behind him this week, completing 24 of 33 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t turn the ball over and scored a rushing touchdown from 4 yards out in the second quarter.

Stat of the game: If there is one number that has followed Washington all season it has been the Huskies’ inability to score more than 21 points against an FBS opponent. The program peaked above that plateau for the first time this season, as the Huskies’ found their footing on offense.

What this means for Washington: The Huskies improved to 5-1 at CenturyLink Field -- their temporary home -- and won their sixth game of the season to become bowl eligible for the third year in a row. Washington has won its last three games and has winnable games at Colorado and at Washington State remaining on its schedule.

What this means for Utah: Heading into Saturday’s matchup, the Utes were 11-0 when White gained at least 100 yards. That streak ended against Washington, with White finishing with 142 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Utah now needs to win its last two games against Arizona and Colorado to become bowl eligible.

Two-way player: In addition to his duties as Washington’s sophomore tight end, Austin Seferian-Jenkins spent some time lined up at defensive end due to injuries along Washington’s defensive front. The double duty didn’t slow down Seferian-Jenkins on offense. He caught seven passes for 99 yards.

No returns for Dunn: After Reggie Dunn returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in two games, the Huskies avoided kicking the ball to the senior, who didn’t get an opportunity for another big return.