Gangline Recap: Week 2

Washington Opponent's Record: 18-8

Record this Week: 7-5

Record in Games that Mattered: 6-3

Cal had a bye week, but everyone else saw some action this week. Wazzu continued to be itself, and Oregon came up big time on prime time.

Games That Mattered

Western Kentucky (1-1) @ Illinois (2-0)

Illinois hosted Western Kentucky in what the coaches and fans were hoping would be a good tune-up game for their brawl against the Huskies this week. Illinois almost bit off more than they could chew. Western Kentucky had a 27-21 lead entering the 4th quarter. However, a pick-6 and some nice passing from Illini QB Wes Lunt was enough to seal the deal, as the Illini pulled out a 21 point 4th quarter. Final score: Illinois wins 42-34.

New Mexico State (2-0) @ Georgia State (1-1)

Georgia State hosted the mighty Aggies of New Mexico State .... Neither team is a powerhouse, but you had to think that Georgia State had the upper hand here .... The Panthers took a 24-17 lead into the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough. New Mexico State came roaring back and score 17 big points to finish out the game. The Panthers blew a 17-0 lead. Final score: New Mexico State wins 34-31.

USC (2-0) @ Stanford (1-1)

In typical Stanford fashion, they played a high octane offense, held them to 3 scores, but still couldn't win. USC kicked a field goal to go up by three with two and a half minutes to go in the game. Kevin Hogan proceeded to lead an effective drive all the way back to the USC 25 yard-line. Then he was sacked on his blind-side where he promptly fumbled, giving possession back to USC. Game Over.  Final score: USC wins 13-10.

Michigan State (1-1) @ Oregon (2-0)

Michigan State agreed to come to Eugene, for who know why, in what ended up being one of the better games of the year, to this point. (Which isn't really saying a ton, us being in week 2 and everything.) Michigan State was up 24-18 at the half, and they extended their lead in the third quarter on a field goal. Then, as happens to most teams that play Oregon (emphasis on most) the wheels came off half way through the third quarter. Marus Mariota finished the day 17/28 with 318 yards, 3 TD and no interceptions. Final score: Oregon wins 46-27.

Arizona State (2-0) @ New Mexico (0-2)

Arizona Stated traveled down to no-mans-land and played the perennially hapless Lobos. They surrendered 21 first half points, but the defense tightened up in the second half, only allowing a field goal. The Sun Devils didn't punt the entire game, and the offense racked up over 600 yards of offense, with over 400 yards rushing. Final score: Arizona State wins 58-23.

Colorado (1-1) @ UMASS (0-2)

Rallying from an 11-point deficit early in the second half, the Buffs finally steeled themselves for a strong finish and put away the Minutemen 41-38 in nearly vacant Gillette Stadium. Final score: Colorado wins 41-38.

Memphis (0-2) @ UCLA (2-0)

The home opener for the Bruins turned out to be a nail-biter. The most overrated team in the country (since South Carolina is no longer overrated ...) took on a scrappy Memphis team. Taking out all of the pre-season hype, a bystander might have thought this was quite the game. However, take into consideration the supposed talent gap between the two teams, and the fact that the Bruins were hyped up to be darkhorse contenders to make the playoff, and you get nothing but disappointment. Memphis hung in the game, the entire game. A pick-6 late in the 4th quarter actually tied the game at 35. But it wasn't meant to be, as Brett Hundley drove the field and scored a TD with around 10 minutes to go in the game. Then the UCLA and Memphis defenses did their jobs, and nobody score again. Final score: UCLA wins 42-35.

Arizona (2-0) @ UTSA (1-1)

Arizona traveled down to San Antonio to take on a team that was created in 2011. UTSA beat up Houston 27-7 the week before, and they had plenty of confidence coming into this game against the Wildcats. UTSA's defense held up the entire game, and limited RichRod's high octane offense to 26 points. However, they just couldn't score enough points. UTSA was able to get within 3 points, but that's as close as they could get. Final score: Arizona wins 26-23.

Washington State (0-2) @ Nevada (2-0)

There's not much I can say about this game. Just watch the highlights and that should be enough .... I don't know if Wazzu will be able to beat Portland State. Final score: Nevada wins 24-13.

Games that Didn't Matter

Oregon State (2-0) @ Hawai'i (0-2)

The Beavers went to Hawai'i to take on a Rainbow Warriors team that played a little too big for their britches last week against the Huskies. Oregon State's offense scored quickly, as they totaled 31 points to end the half. Then the 4th quarter happened. Hawai'i mounted a comeback, scoring 23 unaswered points in the 4th quarter. It was just a little short of what the Warriors needed to come from behind. Final score: Oregon State wins 38-30.