2010 Pacific-10 Conference football season explained

2010 Pacific-10 Conference football season
Color:
  1. 193980
Color Text:white
League:NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision)
Sport:football
Pixels:125px
Duration:September 2, 2010
through January 10, 2011
No Of Teams:10
Draft:2011 NFL Draft
Draft Link:2011 NFL Draft
Top Pick:QB Jake Locker, Washington
Picked By:Tennessee Titans, 8th overall
Season:Regular season
Season Champs:Oregon Ducks
Season Champ Name:Champion
League Champ Name:Runners-Up
Second Place:Stanford Cardinal
Seasonslistnames:Football
Prevseason Year:2009
Nextseason Year:2011

The 2010 Pacific-10 Conference football season began on September 2, 2010 with a victory by USC at Hawaii. Conference play began on September 11 with Stanford shutting out UCLA 35–0 in Pasadena on ESPN.

Oregon repeated as the conference champion, ending the regular season with a program-first twelve wins and with a #2 BCS ranking. The Ducks earned a berth in the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, which they lost to SEC Champion Auburn. Stanford repeated as the conference runner-up, ending the regular season with a program-first eleven wins (their sole loss was to Oregon) and with a #4 BCS ranking, giving them an at-large BCS berth. The Cardinal defeated ACC Champion Virginia Tech in the 2011 Orange Bowl. Arizona lost to Oklahoma State while Washington defeated Nebraska in non-BCS bowls.

This was the final season for the conference as a 10-team league. In July 2011, Colorado and Utah joined the conference, at which time the league's name changed to the Pac-12 Conference.The Sagarin Ratings by the end of the bowl season, ranked the Pac-10 as the best conference in football, overall.[1]

Previous season

During the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the Pac-10 teams won 2 and lost 5 bowl games:

Preseason

Rankings

Legend
 Increase in ranking
 Decrease in ranking
 Not ranked previous week
NR Not ranked in top 25 and received no votes
RV Received votes, but not ranked in top 25

See main article: 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings.

  Pre[7] Sept.
7[8]
Sept.
12
Sept.
19
Sept.
26
Oct.
3
Oct.
10
Oct.
17
Oct.
24
Oct.
31
Nov.
7
Nov.
14
Nov.
21
Nov.
28
Dec.
5
Final
ArizonaAP NRNR241414917151513182320RVNRNR
CNR231816141120181513192320RVRVNR
BCSNot released18151518222123NR
Arizona StateAP NRNRNRNRNRNRNR NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
CNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR NR
BCSNot releasedNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
CaliforniaAP NRNRNRNR NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
CNRNR24NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR NRNRNR
BCSNot releasedNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
OregonAP 11755 432111111123
C118664 32111111 113
BCSNot released22111122
Oregon StateAP 24NR2524 RVRV24RV RVNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
C22NRNRNRNRRVRV NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
BCSNot releasedNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
StanfordAP NR251916 91614121310777554
CNRNR1917131815141412988554
BCSNot released12131366644
UCLAAP NRNRNRNR RV RV NR NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
CNRNRNRNRRV RVNR NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
BCSNot releasedNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
USCAP 14161820 18NRRVNR24NRNR20NR NRNRNR
CIneligible for ranking
BCSNot releasedIneligible for ranking
WashingtonAP NRNR NRNR NRNR NRRVNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
CNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR NRNRNRNRRV
BCSNot releasedNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
Washington StateAP NRNRNRNR NRNRNRNR NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
CNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
BCSNot releasedNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR

Highlights

September

October

November

December

Notes

Statistics leaders

Team School Record
Scoring offense Oregon 592 points, 49.3 average
Rushing offense Oregon 3,646 yards (597 attempts), 303.8 yards per game
Scoring defense Stanford 214 points, 17.8 average
Rushing defense Oregon 1,411 yards, 11 TDs, 117.6 yards per game
Pass offense Arizona 325 of 474 passes (68.6%), 9 interceptions, 24 TDs, 310.0 yards per game
Total offense Oregon 3,646 yards rushing, 2,804 passing, 71 TDs, 537.5 yards per game

Players-of-the-week

National
Pacific-10 Conference
WeekOffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
1 – September 7[20] Kenjon Barner, RBORE Lance Mitchell, SOSU Cliff Harris, PRORE
2 – September 13 Jermaine Kearse, WRWASHMike Thomas, CBSTANJackson Rice, PORE
3 – September 20[21] Nick Foles, QBARIZPatrick Larimore, LBUCLATravis Cobb, KRARIZ
4 – September 27 Ryan Taylor, CUCLA Sean Westgate, LBUCLANate Whitaker, PKSTAN
5 – October 4 LaMichael James, RBORE Cliff Harris, CBORE Erik Folk, PKWASH
6 – October 11 Ryan Katz, QBOSU Darian Hagan, CBCAL Bryan Anger, PCAL
7 – October 18Matt Barkley, QBUSC Shaquille Richardson, CBARIZ Joe Houston, PKUSC
8 – October 25Matt Scott, QBARIZPaul Vassallo, LBARIZKeenan Allen, KRCAL
9 – Nov. 1 Jeff Maehl, WR OREJunior Onyeali, DEASU Jake Fischer, LBARIZ
10 – Nov. 8Andrew Luck, QBSTAN T. J. McDonald, SUSC Kai Forbath, PKUCLA
11 – Nov. 15 Jeff Tuel, QBWSU Mike Mohamed, LBCAL Cliff Harris, PRORE
12 – Nov. 22[22] Andrew Luck, QBStanfordStephen Paea, DTOSUJustin Kahut, PKOSU
13 – Nov. 29Brock Osweiler, QBASU Chase Thomas, LBSTAN Jamal Miles, KRASU
14 – Dec. 6 Chris Polk, RBWASH James Brooks, DEASU Thomas Weber, PKASU

Pac-10 vs. BCS matchups

Date Visitor Home Winning TeamNotes
September 4UCLAKansas StateKansas State Kansas State rushes for 315 yards, its highest rushing total since 2002, before the largest season-opening crowd in school history. Daniel Thomas has 234 yards rushing, the most by a Wildcats running back since 2004.[23]
September 4Washington StateOklahoma StateOklahoma StateWashington State's worst season opening loss since 1967. Oklahoma State scores the most points in the 65–17 victory since 2006.[24]
September 11ColoradoCaliforniaCaliforniaThe teams' first meeting since 1982.[25]
September 11OregonTennesseeOregon Oregon scores the most points by a Tennessee opponent since 2007 and most by a nonconference opponent since 1988.[26]
September 11VirginiaUSCUSCThe teams' first meeting since 2008. Virginia's first game ever played in California.[27]
September 11SyracuseWashingtonWashington
September 18IowaArizonaArizonaThe teams' first meeting since 1998.[28] Iowa allowed a kick return for a touchdown for the first time since 2001 while Arizona committed the most penalties since 2005.[29]
September 18Arizona StateWisconsinWisconsinWisconsin blocked a PAT to hold on and prevent an upset.[30]
September 18LouisvilleOregon StateOregon StateOregon State wins its ninth straight home opener in the first meeting between the two teams since 2005.[31]
September 18Wake ForestStanfordStanfordWake Forest's first ever game in the state of California. The 68–24 win is Stanford's biggest point total since 1923.[32]
September 18USCMinnesotaUSCThe teams' first meeting since 1980. Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber becomes the Golden Gophers' career touchdown pass leader.[33]
September 18NebraskaWashingtonNebraskaNebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez records the longest touchdown run by a freshman in Nebraska history.[34]
September 25StanfordNotre DameStanfordStanford goes 4–0 for the first time since 1986.
September 25UCLATexasUCLAUCLA's first road victory against a ranked opponent since 2001 and Texas scores the fewest points at home since 2006 in the teams' first meeting since 1997.[35]
November 27Notre DameUSCNotre DameNotre Dame's first victory over USC since 2001.

Bowl games

All bowl games involving the Pac-10 aired on ESPN.

BowlDateWinner*ScoreLoser*ScoreLocationTime+Pac-10's
Record
Notes
Alamo BowlDec. 29, 2010
  1. 16 Oklahoma State
align=center 36Arizona align=center 10San Antonio, Texas6:00 p.m.align=center 0–1The teams' first meeting since 1942; Oklahoma State's record fifth straight bowl appearance and Arizona's third straight bowl appearance, matching a streak from 1992 to 1994; the Cowboys finish the season for the first time with 11 wins, while the Wildcats end their season with a fifth straight loss[36]
Holiday BowlDec. 30, 2010 Washingtonalign=center 19
  1. 17 Nebraska
align=center 7San Diego, California7:00 p.m.align=center 1–1A rematch of both teams, when Nebraska defeated Washington 56–21 on September 18; Nebraska's second straight appearance in the Holiday Bowl and Washington's fourth Holiday Bowl appearance; Nebraska's upset marks Washington's first bowl victory since 2002[37]
Orange BowlJan. 3, 2011
  1. 5 Stanford
align=center 40
  1. 12 Virginia Tech
align=center 12Miami Gardens, Florida5:00 p.m.align=center 2–1The teams' first meeting; Virginia Tech's fourth appearance in the Orange Bowl; Stanford's first bowl win since 1996 and the first BCS bowl victory in program history[38]
BCS National Championship GameJan. 10, 2011
  1. 1 Auburn
align=center 22
  1. 2 Oregon
align=center 19Glendale, Arizona5:30 p.m.align=center 2–2The first title game appearance for either team and their first meeting; the SEC's fifth straight national championship victory

Head coaches

Awards and honors

Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year and Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year

Woody Hayes Trophy

Doak Walker Award

Paul Hornung Award

National Finalists

All-Americans

Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America:[40]

Associated Press All-America First Team:

FWAA All-America Team:

Sporting News All-America team:[41]

AFCA Coaches' All-Americans First Team:

ESPN All-America team:

All-Pac-10 teams

First Team:

Pos.NameYr.SchoolPos.NameYr.SchoolPos.NameYr.School
QBAndrew LuckSo.StanfordDLJurrell CaseyJr.USCPKNate WhitakerSr.Stanford
RBLaMichael JamesSo.OregonDLCameron JordanSr.CaliforniaPBryan AngerJr.California
RBOwen MarecicSr.StanfordDLStephen PaeaSr.Oregon StateKORRobert WoodsFr.USC
RBJacquizz RodgersJr.Oregon StateDLBrooks ReedSr.ArizonaPRCliff HarrisSo.Oregon
WRJuron CrinerJr.ArizonaLBAkeem AyersJr.UCLASTChike AmajoyiSr.Stanford
WRJeff MaehlSr.OregonLBMason FosterSr.Washington
TE David PaulsonJr.OregonLBCasey MatthewsSr.Oregon
OL Chase BeelerSr.StanfordDBOmar BoldenJr.Arizona State
OL David DeCastroSo.StanfordDBChris ConteSr.California
OL Jordan HolmesSr.OregonDBTalmadge JacksonSr.Oregon
OL Jonathan MartinJr.StanfordDBRahim MooreJr.UCLA
OL Tyron SmithJr.USC
ST=special teams player (not a kicker or returner)

All-Academic

First Team:[42]

Pos.NameSchoolYr. GPAMajor
QB Steven Threet Arizona State Jr. 3.82 General Studies
RBLaMichael JamesOregon So.3.01 Sociology
RBOwen MarecicStanford Sr.3.47 Human Biology
WR Jared KarstetterWashington StateJr.3.55 Zoology
WR Ryan WhalenStanford Sr.3.53 Science,Technology and Society
TE David PaulsonOregon (2) Jr. 3.66 Business Administration
OL Chase BeelerStanford (2)Sr. 3.68 History
OLMicah HannamWashington State (3) Sr. 3.58 Civil Engineering
OL Brendan LopezWashington Jr. 3.68 Microbiology
OL Chris PrummerWashington State (2) Sr. 3.90 Zoology
OL Carson YorkOregon (2) So. 3.70 Journalism-Advertising
DL Dean DeLeoneArizona StateSr. 3.41 Communication
DL Kevin FrahmOregon State (2)Jr. 3.25 Political Science
DLKevin KooymanWashington State (2)Sr. 3.18 Management & Operations
DL Casey HamlettWashington State Sr. 3.77 Management & Operations
LB Cameron CollinsOregon State (3) Jr. 3.48 Finance
LB Mike MohamedCalifornia (3) Sr. 3.43 Business Administration
LB Jake FischerArizona So. 3.42 Pre-Business
DB Kyle McCartneyWashington State So. 3.87 Entrepreneurship
DB Chima NwachukwuWashington State (3) Sr. 3.85 Political Science
DB Taylor SkaufelStanford Sr. 3.43 Science, Technology and Society
DB Antdony WilcoxArizona Sr. 3.05 Religious Studies
PKJohn BonanoArizonaJr. 3.90 Pre-Physiology
P Jeff LockeUCLA (2) So. 3.57 Economics
ST Danny ReesUCLASr. 3.51 History
Round Overall pick NFL team Player Position College
1 8Quarterback Washington
1 9Offensive tackle USC
1 24Defensive end California
2 38Offensive linebacker UCLA
2 42Defensive end Arizona
2 45Safety UCLA
2 53Defensive tackle Oregon State
2 56Running back California
3 77Defensive tackle USC
3 84Linebacker Washington
3 89Defensive back USC
3 93Defensive back California
3 97Green Bay PackersDefensive tackle Stanford
4 102Jordan Cameron Tight end USC
4 116Linebacker Oregon
4 124Fullback Stanford
5 140Linebacker Oregon State
5 145Running back Oregon State
5 154Cornerback Stanford
6 167Wide receiver Stanford
6 182Wide receiver USC
6 184David Carter Defensive tackle UCLA
6 187Running back USC
6 189Linebacker California
6 197Defensive end Arizona
6 203Center USC
7 215Defensive end Arizona
7 233Defensive tackle Arizona State
7 240Fullback USC
7 241Wide receiver USC
7 242Linebacker USC

Notes and References

  1. https://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/sagarin/2010/conference/ Sagarin Ratings USA Today
  2. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/03/oregon-suspends-quarterback-jeremiah-masoli-for-the-2010-season.html Oregon suspends quarterback Jeremiah Masoli for the 2010 season
  3. Web site: No bowl but plenty for USC to play for. ESPN. Saxon. Mark. July 29, 2010. August 31, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100805033421/http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/columns/story?id=5421567. 5 August 2010 . live.
  4. News: Colorado, Big 12 agree to early exit . ESPN.com . September 22, 2010 . January 13, 2011.
  5. Gary Klein, USC parts ways with running backs coach Todd McNair, Los Angeles Times, July 1, 2010
  6. Scott Wolf, Top recruit Henderson breaks commitment; DE Jackson to transfer to Tennessee, Los Angeles Daily News, July 6, 2010
  7. Web site: 2010 NCAA Football Polls and Rankings for Week 1. ESPN. 13 September 2010 .
  8. Web site: 2010 NCAA Football Polls and Rankings for Week 2. ESPN. 13 September 2010 .
  9. News: No. 5 Oregon easily handles Portland State 69–0. 2010-09-18. 2010-09-18. CBS Interactive. https://web.archive.org/web/20100921125511/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201009180060. 21 September 2010 . live.
  10. News: UCLA-Houston Game Notes. 2010-09-18. 2010-09-20. CBS Interactive. https://web.archive.org/web/20120405154952/http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091910aac.html. 2012-04-05. dead.
  11. News: Iowa at Arizona Postgame Notes September 18, 2010. 2010-09-19. 2010-09-20. CBS Interactive.
  12. News: Marecic helps lead No. 16 Stanford over Notre Dame. 2010-09-25. 2010-09-25. Yahoo!. https://web.archive.org/web/20100927235106/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201009250104. 27 September 2010 . live.
  13. News: No. 4 Oregon rallies to beat No. 9 Stanford 52–31. 2010-10-02. 2010-10-03. Yahoo!. https://web.archive.org/web/20101004175804/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201010020060. 4 October 2010 . live.
  14. News: No. 12 Stanford handles Washington State 38–28. 2010-10-23. 2010-10-23. Yahoo!. https://web.archive.org/web/20101027181524/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201010230063. 27 October 2010 . live.
  15. News: Stanford 41, Washington 0. 2010-10-30. 2010-11-02. Yahoo!. https://web.archive.org/web/20101103144633/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201010300065. 3 November 2010 . live.
  16. News: Postgame Notebook – No. 1 Oregon at No. 24 USC. 2010-10-30. 2010-11-02. University of Oregon.
  17. Associated Press, NCAA denies Arizona St. bowl waiver, via ESPN.com, December 3, 2010
  18. Diane Pucin, Fox will air first Pac-12 Conference football title game, Los Angeles Times, January 6, 2011
  19. http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news/2010/nagurski100921.html UCLA's Larimore nabs Nagurski Player of the Week honors
  20. http://www.pac-10.org/News/tabid/863/Article/134384/barner-mitchell-and-harris-named-pac-10-football-players-of-the-week.aspx Pac-10 Players-of-the-week
  21. http://www.pac-10.org/News/tabid/863/Article/134647/foles-larimore-and-cobb-named-pac-10-football-players-of-the-week.aspx Pac-10 Players-of-the-week
  22. http://www.pac-10.org/News/tabid/863/Article/216421/luck-paea-and-kahut-named-pac-10-football-players-of-the-week.aspx Pac-10 Players-of-the-week
  23. News: UCLA at Kansas State game notes. 2010-09-04. 2010-12-07. Kansas State Sports Information. 2012-11-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20121112150026/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ksu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/Game1UCLA.pdf. dead.
  24. News: Oklahoma State storms past Washington State 65–17. 2010-09-18. 2010-09-18. CBS Interactive. https://web.archive.org/web/20100914064827/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201009040025. 14 September 2010 . live.
  25. News: Cal Hosts Colorado Saturday. 2010-09-06. 2010-09-18. CBS Interactive. https://web.archive.org/web/20120321230152/http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090610aab.html. 2012-03-21. dead.
  26. News: Oregon 48, Tennessee 13. 2010-09-18. 2010-09-18. CBS Interactive. https://web.archive.org/web/20100916001744/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201009110071. 16 September 2010 . live.
  27. News: No. 16 USC holds off Virginia in Lane Kiffin's Coliseum return. 2010-09-11. 2010-09-30. ESPN. https://web.archive.org/web/20100915131500/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302540030. 15 September 2010 . dead.
  28. News: Iowa (2–0) at Arizona (2–0). 2010-09-18. 2010-09-18. Yahoo!. https://web.archive.org/web/20100920213145/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/preview?gid=201009180057. 20 September 2010 . live.
  29. News: Arizona Team Report. 2010-09-20. 2010-09-20. Yahoo!. https://web.archive.org/web/20100909024223/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=teamreports-2010-ncaaf-aal. 9 September 2010 . live.
  30. News: Valai blocks PAT, No. 11 Badgers beat ASU 20–19. 2010-09-18. 2010-09-18. Yahoo!. https://web.archive.org/web/20100921071857/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201009180036. 21 September 2010 . live.
  31. News: Rodgers, No. 25 Oregon St hold on vs. Louisville. 2010-09-18. 2010-09-18. Yahoo!. https://web.archive.org/web/20100923003931/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201009180061. 23 September 2010 . live.
  32. News: Stanford Runs Away From Wake Forest, 68–24. 2010-09-18. 2010-09-26. Stanford University. https://web.archive.org/web/20120318031346/http://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091910aac.html. 2012-03-18. dead.
  33. Web site: Minnesota-USC Postgame Notes . 2010-09-18 . 2010-09-20 . University of Minnesota Athletic .
  34. News: Martinez, Nebraska rolls Washington 56–21. 2010-09-18. 2010-09-18. Yahoo!. https://web.archive.org/web/20100921072547/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201009180065. 21 September 2010 . live.
  35. News: UCLA wallops No. 7 Texas again 34–12. 2010-09-25. 2010-09-25. Yahoo!. https://web.archive.org/web/20100928010559/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201009250083. 28 September 2010 . live.
  36. News: Blackmon mum on future after Alamo Bowl victory. 2010-12-30. 2010-12-30. Yahoo!.
  37. News: Locker goes out winner with Holiday Bowl triumph. 2010-12-30. 2010-12-31. Yahoo!.
  38. News: Stanford Post-Game Notes vs. Virginia Tech, January 3, 2011 . 2011-01-03 . 2011-01-04 . CBS Interactive . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120318031810/http://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/010411aab.html . March 18, 2012 .
  39. http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20110110/SPORTS03/301100059/Stanford+fullback/linebacker+Owen+Marecic+wins+first+Paul+Hornung+Award Stanford fullback/linebacker Owen Marecic wins first Paul Hornung Award
  40. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ucla/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/WalterCampTeam.pdf Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces
  41. Dave Curtis, Matt Hayes, 2010 SN College Football Player of the Year: Auburn QB Cam Newton, Sportingnews.com, Decemaber 15, 2010
  42. http://pac-10.org/News/tabid/863/Article/216028/marecic-mohamed-highlight-pac-10-all-academic-football-team.aspx Marecic, Mohamed Highlight Pac-10 All-Academic Football Team