OFFENSIVE: Khalil Tate, So., QB, Arizona (Inglewood, Calif.) • Came off the bench to set the FBS single-game rushing record for a quarterback with 327 yards, which is second-highest for all players in UA school history and fifth-most in conference history. • Totaled 208 yards on four touchdown runs (58, 28, 47 and 75 yards) for an average of 52.0 yards per score. • Completed 12 of 13 pass attempts for 154 yards and one touchdown. • Totaled 481 yards of offense, the fifth-highest tally in school history. • Became second FBS quarterback ever (Jordan Lynch, NIU, 2013) to rush for 300 yards and pass for 150 in a game.
Arizona Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl on October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
DEFENSIVE: Justin Reid, Jr., DB, Stanford (Prairieville, La.) • Reid had a team-high seven tackles, added a game-changing tackle for loss and the game-clinching interception to lead Stanford to a 23-20 conference win over previously unbeaten Utah. • Late in the third quarter, Stanford was clinging to a six-point lead on the road, and Utah had first-and-goal at the Stanford two-yard line. On first down, Reid assisted on a tackle to stuff the Utes at the one-yard line, and on the next play, Reid came up to pin the Utes for a one-yard loss. The Utes settled for a field goal, and Stanford never surrendered the lead. • Reid had an interception for the third straight game as his late fourth quarter pick all but clinched Stanford’s first Top 25 road win in more than two years.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Erik Powell, RSr., K, Washington State (Vancouver, Wash.) • Powell, the second-straight Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week honoree, connected on all four field goal attempts and all three extra points for a 15-point night in WSU’s 33-10 win at Oregon. • Powell hit from 25, a career-best 52, 47 and 29 yards. His 52-yard field goal was the longest by a WSU kicker since 2013. • Powell is second in the conference with 12 FGM, tied for the lead in total points (64) and second in field goal percentage (92.3). • He also had four punts for 136 yards (34.0 avg.), none of which were returned, and had eight kickoffs that averaged 56.1 yards with one touchback.
EUGENE, OR – October 7: #46 Washington State Erik Powell kicking field goal during a game between the Oregon Ducks and Washington State Cougars in Eugene, OR. Washington State defeated Oregon 33-10 (Photo by Ben Ludeman / fi360 News).
Washington State mascot AKA Butch (Photo by Ben Ludeman).
EUGENE, OR – October 7: #20 Oregon RB Tony Brooks-James changes direction to avoid #37 Washington State LB Justus Rogers during a game between the Oregon Ducks and Washington State Cougars in Eugene, OR. Washington State defeated Oregon 33-10 (Photo by Ben Ludeman).
Eugene, OR – Washington State Cougars remains undefeated and rewrites history with 33-10 victory over the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium.
Washington State in their first game on the road to defend their perfect record of 5-0 tonight. The Ducks with a 4-1 record and ridden with injuries, set out to prove to the PAC-12 that they were not to be underestimated.
Two penalties on the first two plays of the game for Oregon, as they look to pick up the tempo early.
After an Oregon fumble Cougars’ running back Jamal Murrow takes it to the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown on the first offensive play of the game.
EUGENE, OR – October 7: #45 Washington State LB Logan Tago tries to get to #11 Oregon QB Braxton Burmeister during a game between the Oregon Ducks and Washington State Cougars in Eugene, OR. Washington State defeated Oregon 33-10 (Photo by Ben Ludeman).
In the fourth quarter Braxton Burmeister throws an interception to Marcus Strong to put Cougars on Oregon 25-yard line. Falk then completes a pass to Isaiah Johnson-Mack in the end zone and Cougars are up, 30-10 early in the fourth quarter.
Despite proactive measures taken by the Oregon defense, Washington State remained in control on offense and defense.
According to Dye, “If you give up 33 points, you can’t expect to win a game. We just need to go back to the drawing board…”
Numerous penalties hurt Oregon’s defensive efforts as they could only score in the first quarter.
EUGENE, OR – October 7: #32 Washington State RB James Williams breaks a tackle during a game between the Oregon Ducks and Washington State Cougars in Eugene, OR. Washington State defeated Oregon 33-10 (Photo by Ben Ludeman).
“I thought our defense played well”, explains Oregon head coach Willie Taggart, “I didn’t think we did enough offensively to show how well they played”.
Oregon Burmeister connects with tight end Jacob Breeland for his first collegiate touchdown and Ducks are up, 10-7.
Oregon’s defense dominates late in the first and Falk is unable to connect with his receivers.
EUGENE, OR – October 7: #4 Washington State QB Luke Falk evades #35 Oregon ILB Troy Dye during a game between the Oregon Ducks and Washington State Cougars in Eugene, OR. Washington State defeated Oregon 33-10 (Photo by Ben Ludeman).
Cougars waste no time increasing their lead early in the second half. Falk connects with Sweet for a 38-yard gain down to Oregon’s 10-yard line. Next play Bell catches a touchdown and Cougars are up now 20-10.
With eight minutes left in the third, defensive back Robert Taylor recovers a forced fumble by Burmeister. The turnover led to Powell adding three more points on the board for a 23-10 game.
Late in the fourth, Oregon’s defense holds the Cougar offense as Powell puts three points on the board to make it 33-10.
Falk completed more than 280 passing yards, 3 touchdowns beating out Duck’s former quarterback Marcus Mariota for 2nd-most in PAC-12 history.
EUGENE, OR – October 7: #11 Oregon QB Braxton Burmeister during a game between the Oregon Ducks and Washington State Cougars in Eugene, OR. Washington State defeated Oregon 33-10 (Photo by Ben Ludeman).
Burmeister, in his first career start, left the field with 145 passing yards, 2 interceptions, and a touchdown.
Washington State remains undefeated at 6-0 and reigns victorious as No. 1 in the PAC-12 North.
Next up for the Ducks is Stanford on October 14th at Stanford Stadium, 8 p.m. PT.
Oregon State Beavers vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca on October 7, 2017. (Photographer Credit: Otis Hollins Jr.)
Ronald Jones III breaking free from Beaver defender during the Oregon State Beavers vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca on October 7, 2017. (Photographer Credit: Otis Hollins Jr.)
Los Angeles, CA – The USC Trojans didn’t look much better Saturday after suffering their first loss of the season last weekend, but it was more than for a 38-10 victory over Oregon State at the Memorial Coliseum.
“Good win for our football team, any Pac-12 win is,” said USC head coach Clay Helton.
USC scored touchdowns on its first two possessions of the game but fell out of sync the remainder of the half. USC QB Sam Darnold continued his turnover woes with 2 more against the Beavers.
Vavae Malepeai rushing during the Oregon State Beavers vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca on October 7, 2017. (Photographer Credit: Otis Hollins Jr.)
On The Trojans first possession, Darnold and USC came out hot picking up quick yards. The drive ultimately ended with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to WR Tyler Vaughns. The Trojan defense would make its first big pay of the day when DB Jack Jones came up with the first turnover of the day with an interception. USC cashed in on the giveaway and extended its lead 14-0 on a 4-yard scamper by Ronald Jones II.
“I really wanted to get out of the gate fast on the opening drive, as well as the next drive and after the turnover, which I had hoped happened,” said Helton.
That’s where it would turn south for the Trojans in the first half. USC had its first of 3 turnovers on the day in the first quarter after Ajene Harris was unable to haul in an Oregon State punt. On USC’s next possession Darnold would have his first giveaway. On the first play of the drive, Darnold had the ball slip out of his hand as he was winding up to throw, Oregon State recovered but were held to a field goal.
Oregon State Beavers vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca on October 7, 2017. (Photographer Credit: Otis Hollins Jr.)
Darnold would sneak in one more turnover for his team before the end of the first half. Oregon State’s Manase Hanagulu intercepted a pass thrown by Darnold that had no USC player around.
“We’ll see what happened on the sack fumble, what a happened on the pass,” said Helton. “Those are things that you look up and you have 38 points, you took a knee, you have over 500 yards again and inside you know there is still more out there. That is a good thing.”
USC was able to the Beavers to just 3 points, blocking 1 of 3 attempts.
Oregon State Beavers vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca on October 7, 2017. (Photographer Credit: Otis Hollins Jr.)
“Without looking at the game film, I felt our defense did an amazing job after being put in some situations and some field position with a muffed punt and a turnover offensively. To be able to hold that team to 3 points in the first half coming in I thought it was an amazing job,” added Helton.
The script wasn’t much different in the second half. USC added another score in its first possession of the half with Darnold’s third TD pass of the day.
Oregon State was finally able to break through the end zone to start the fourth quarter on a 6-yard run by Atravius Pierce.
Darnold finished the day 23 of 35 for 316 yards 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Darnold has thrown an interception in all of USC’s games this season. Jones was the leading rusher for the Trojans with 79 yards and 1 touchdown on 12 carries.
Los Angeles Rams Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca on August 13 , 2016. (Photographer Jevone Moore)
RAMS SUPPORT “CRUCIAL CATCH” CAMPAIGN
As part of this weekend’s kickoff to the 2017 Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer campaign, the Rams are dedicating Sunday’s contest against the Seahawks as their “Crucial Catch” game. This year, the National Football League and the American Cancer Society (ACS) are expanding their efforts to support the fight against cancer through the “Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer” campaign. After nearly a decade of supporting breast cancer, the NFL and ACS have evolved the campaign to address early detection and risk reduction efforts for all cancers to increase their impact.
Players may wear cleats and wristbands in any color representing their cancer of choice during their team’s Crucial Catch game. Twelve Rams players who have a personal connection to cancer will wear colored cleats recognizing the cancers listed below:
Player
Cancer
Color
DB – Blake Countess
Breast Cancer
Pink
S – Cody Davis
Kidney Cancer & Leukemia
Orange
WR – Cooper Kupp
Brain Cancer
Grey
T – Cornelius Lucas
Leukemia
Orange
G – Jamon Brown
Breast Cancer
Pink
P – Johnny Hekker
Lymphoma
Lime Green
WR – Josh Reynolds
Multiple Myeloma
Maroon
S – Marqui Christain
Lung Cancer
Pearl
DE – Morgan Fox
Skin Cancer
Black
WR – Robert Woods
Sarcoma
Yellow
WR – Tavon Austin
Breast Cancer
Pink
TE – Tyler Higbee
Prostate Cancer
Light Blue
NFL-issued Crucial Catch branding and gameday apparel will feature a new multi-colored logo representing all cancers. Beginning on Sunday and continuing through Week 7, NFL Crucial Catch games will feature:
Game balls with the Crucial Catch logo used for every down
Multi-colored equipment for players including: helmet decals, captains’ patches, and quarterback towels
Multi-colored ribbon pins for coaches and teams
Caps and pins for game officials
On-field multi-colored ribbon stencils and Crucial Catch wall banners
Multi-colored goal post padding in end zones
Game-worn Crucial Catch merchandise and footballs will be autographed and auctioned at NFL Auction (nfl.com/auction). The NFL does not profit from the sale of Crucial Catch products on NFL Auction. Charitable contributions are donated to the American Cancer Society to support its CHANGE grant program.
Additional details about the ways the Rams are integrating “Crucial Catch” at Sunday’s game include:
100 fans who have fought or are currently battling cancer will be recognized in the end zone as the players take the field.
The Rams will host a variety of non-profits and the cancer patients and families they serve including American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Skin Cancer Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and Padres Contra El Cancer.
Volunteers from Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) will be positioned outside the Coliseum passing out pink breast cancer awareness ribbons to fans as they enter the stadium. ZTA is encouraging fans to use the hashtag #ZTAThinkPink to show their support while wearing their pink ribbons.
Former linebacker CHRIS DRAFT and two Team Draft Survivor Series representatives will light the Coliseum torch prior to kickoff. In 2006, Draft met his wife, Keasha Rutledge, who helped him establish TEAM DRAFT, an initiative of the Chris Draft Family Foundation before passing away from lung cancer in 2011. More information is included below.
Since 2009, more than $18 million has been raised for ACS through the partnership. Money raised through Crucial Catch this season will support three screenable cancers: breast, colorectal and cervical. Funding will continue to support the American Cancer Society’s Community Health Advocates implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE) program, which provides outreach and cancer screenings to individuals in underserved communities. Since 2012, grant recipients have contributed to more than 152,000 screenings and more than 344,000 education and outreach interventions.
For the third consecutive year, healthcare centers in all 32 NFL team markets will receive a $50,000 CHANGE grant to increase access to screenings and additional cancer prevention and early detection programs. In addition, the NFL will again work with ACS and CHANGE grant recipients to host education sessions and/or screenings in their communities, and many NFL teams will participate in these educational activities, bringing these potentially life-saving messages and screening services to those who need them most.
WNBA 2017 championship coach Reeve celebrates with the Trophy. (Photo by Brian Few Jr.)
The 2017 WNBA Champions Minnesota Lynx with Sylvia Fowles hosting her MVP trophy. (Photo by Brian Few Jr.)
Minneapolis, MN – The 2017 WNBA Finals. The Los Angeles Sparks versus the Minnesota Lynx.
A repeat of the 2016 finals, and, as it was in last year’s championship bout, it came down to the wire. Each and every game.
Game 5 was no different.
“I know LA wanted to win.” said Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, “They hung in there.”
Sparks guard Odyssey Sims led a rally with less than a minute to play to cut the L.A. deficit to three.
Lynx point guard driving to the basket in do or die game 5 between Sparks vs Lynx on October 4, 2017. (Photo by Brian Few Jr.)
Trailing all game, the Sparks had all the momentum in the world one their side.
Then, Lynx guard Maya Moore drained a jumper from the free-throw line with 26 seconds left, all but sealing an 85-76 win over the Sparks to seal their fourth championship in seven season.
Moore led the Lynx with 18 points and posted 10 rebounds, while regular season and WNBA finals MVP Sylvia Fowles broke her own record of 17 rebounds with 20 in game 5.
“I think it’ll be hard to find another group that’s, as talented, as deep, but as selfless as this group.” said Moore
Fowles added another 17 points as all five Lynx starters tallied up double-digit scoring, as opposed to the Sparks’ three.
Candace Parker would play part of LA’s first 10 points, and eventually scored or assisted 20 of the Sparks 35, first-half points. She finished with a game-high 19 points and 15 rebounds for a double-double.
Minnesota dug a deep 7-0 hole for Los Angeles in the opening minutes of the game, before Parker’s layup put the Sparks on the board.
The 3-point woes continued for the Sparks as well, and went 0-and-8 in the first half. In total, the Sparks nailed seven from downtown in the last two games.
Los Angeles kept it close in the second frame, cutting the tie to three before the Lynx stretched its lead to 10. The Sparks fought back to make it a single-digit deficit at halftime.
The Sparks cut it to a six-point deficit in the third quarter, but the Lynx would pull away and make it a double-digit lead midway into the final quarter of the season.
Ogwumike fouled out with a healthy 5:30 left in the final frame, before Los Angeles went on a two-minute scoring drought.
“We’re not going to give up.” said Parker
Sims stole possession for Whalen for the 46.5 second layup to cut the deficit six.
The Sparks guard, who put eight on the board in the final minutes of game 4, continued to lead the rally and picked off Gray’s steal effort to make an and-1 play to cut it to a 79-76 Lynx lead with 34.9 left in the game.
Moore sunk a jumper at the free-throw line in the ensuing Lynx possession to push the lead to five.
Poor distance shots in the final moments doomed the Sparks. Whalen sank two free-throws with 8.3 left in the game to seal the franchise’s fourth championship.
The 2017 WNBA Champions – Minnesota Lynx (Photo by Brian Few Jr.)
Nov 14, 2015 Washington State wide receiver Gabe Marks (9) after his game winning touchdown catch during second half of Washington State vs UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca(Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Pac-12 Football Players of the Week – Week 5
OFFENSIVE: Bryce Love, Jr., RB, Stanford • Set Stanford’s single-game rushing record with 301 yards, tied for eighth-most in Pac-12 history. • Averaged 12.0 yards on his 25 carries and had a career-high three touchdown runs which went for 61, 43 and 59 yards. • In the last 20 years, Love and USC’s Reggie Bush are the only players with back-to-back 250-yard rushing games. Stanford had just one game with a 250-yard rusher in the program’s first 1,254 contests — Love has now reached that mark in back-to-back games. • Has also rushed for 100 yards in seven consecutive games (second-longest streak in school history), and is the only player in the last 20 years with a rush of 50 or more yards in seven straight games.
Los Angeles, CA September 9, 2017: vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
DEFENSIVE: Jahad Woods, RFr., LB, Washington State • In just his second career start, led WSU defensively as the Cougar defense held the Trojans to 10 points below their season average in a 30-27 Cougar victory. • Posted a game-high nine tackles, including a sack, tackle-for-loss and a forced fumble. • Woods preserved the Cougar victory by sacking Sam Darnold on the Trojans’ final possession, forcing the fumble that the Cougars recovered.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Erik Powell, RSr., K, Washington State
• Accounted for 12 points with three field goals and three extra points, in WSU’s 30-27 upset of No. 5 USC. • Connected on all three field goal attempts from 44, 33 and 32 yards. • His 32-yards FG with 1:40 proved to be the game-winner. It marked the 39th of his career, 5th in WSU history. • Powell added three punts for 111 yards, a 37.0 average with a long of 53.
ALSO NOMINATED: OFFENSIVE: Kani Benoit, ORE; Jordan Lasley, UCLA; Dante Pettis, WASH; Luke Falk, WSU. DEFENSIVE: Henry Mondeaux, ORE; Justin Reid, STAN; Kenny Young, UCLA. SPECIAL TEAMS: Brady Breeze, ORE; Jake Bailey, STAN.
WNBA Finals 2017: Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on October 1, 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
WNBA Finals 2017: Opening tip for game 4 of the Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on October 1, 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Los Angeles, CA – It started with missing 3 pointers.
Then, the struggle to sink mid-range jumpers crept in.
Finally, the lay ups would just bounce off one part of the rim and out the other.
And the one-point lead turned to 16. Then 17. Then 19.
WNBA Finals 2017: Candace Parker tying up Sylvia Fowles to get a jump ball in the Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on October 1, 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The deficit was too much for the Los Angeles Sparks as the Minnesota Lynx evened out the WNBA Finals 2-2 with a 80-69 win in Los Angeles.
“I thought they played extremely well, played to their strengths, played determined.” said coach Brian Agler, “We’ll have to regroup and get ready for Game 5.”
Sylvia Fowles continued her double-double of points and rebounds average, posting up 22 points and 13 rebounds.
Rebekkah Brunson added 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Maya Moore scored 15.
Odyssey Sims turned it up in the final quarter with a pair of 3s and 10 points to finish with 18. Nneka Ogwumike added 17 points and eight rebounds.
No one on Los Angeles had double-digit rebounds, and to make matters worse, the Lynx out-rebounded the Sparks 48-27.
“To compete with Minnesota you have to stay in the game with them with the rebounding,” said Agler, “obviously that was a wide margin tonight.”
The Sparks weren’t driving to the rim as they normally did in previous games and looked to have burned out midway into the first quarter.
Los Angeles hit shots from distance only for them to come up short.
WNBA Finals 2017: Nneka Ogwumike going in for a layup in the Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on October 1, 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The Sparks were 1-for-10 from downtown in the first half, sinking their first 3-ball with 3:24 left in the half courtesy of Odyssey Sims. She’d have four of the Sparks’ five three-pointers.
Los Angeles started aggressive and once they diverted their game to the perimeter, the Lynx started to gain composure and momentum, eventually taking the lead and extending it to as much as a 15-point advantage.
The Lynx dominated on offense and on rebounds for the most part, going on a 9-0 run with minutes left in the first quarter to make it a double-digit lead.
The inconsistent shooting continued in the second quarter, but this time, the Sparks started missing lay ups as well. Then they started missing their mid-range jumpers.
Though the Sparks took less attempted threes in the third quarter, the Lynx were still bossing them around on the court, notably Fowles’ block on defense transitioning to her assist on the other end.
By the final 10 minutes, only Ogwumike was in double-digit scoring with 12 points for the Sparks. The Lynx had three players, two knocking on 20.
WNBA Finals 2017: Odyssey Sims elevates for a shot in the Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on October 1, 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Sims started getting in the groove in the fourth quarter and drained five points in the opening 90 seconds of the final frame.
She later hit one from downtown on the right flank to make it a 10-2 Sparks run at the start of the quarter and cut the double-digit lead to a 9-point, 63-54, Lynx advantage.
UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass in NCAA Football 2017 Colorado Buffaloes vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 30, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
UCLA Bruins running back Soso Jamabo (1) being a patient runner during the Colorado Buffaloes vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 30, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Pasadena, CA – Josh Rosen didn’t have to throw for multiple touchdowns for the Bruins Saturday night en route to a 27-23 victory over Colorado at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
“I’m just proud of those young men, for a lot of reasons,” said UCLA head coach, Jim Mora, “Through two weeks of tough losses they have just gotten closer.”
A defense plagued all season with targeting penalties was haunted once again tonight as freshman defensive back Darnay Holmes was disqualified in the first quarter after referees reviewed his hit on Colorado RB Phillip Lindsay.
UCLA Bruins defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) delivering a hit on running back Phillip Lindsay (23) that was called targeting at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 30, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
“The targeting penalty on Darnay I think was a good call,” said Mora. “We have to keep players safety at a premium, we have to be careful.”
On the very next play Colorado QB Steven Montez connected with Lindsay once again for the game first touchdown and score of the game.
Rosen shook off a rusty first possession and came back throwing a couple strikes to Jordan Lasley, which would eventually lead to a 12-yard touchdown pass to TE Austin Roberts.
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (12) standing tall in the pocket during the Colorado Buffaloes vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 30, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
UCLA obtained its first lead of the game in the 2nd quarter. Despite a couple early drops by WR Lasley, Rosen’s trust in him never faltered. After ripping a 44-yard catch and run on UCLA’s previous scoring drive, Lasley’s big play ability came out on display once again getting behind the defense this time on a 46-yard reception. Two plays later, RB Jalen Starks took it in for the touchdown from 1-yard out to give UCLA a 14-10.
Colorado gambled on a fake field goal attempt that would have made it a one-point game with 54 seconds left in the 1st half but the Buffaloes were unable to convert.
The Tight Ends for the Bruins stepped up for Rosen to begin the team first drive of the second half. Rosen hit Roberts for a 30-yard gain to start the drive. Rosen also connected with Caleb Wilson twice with catches of 19 and 21-yards. Two plays later RB Soso Jamabo found the end zone from 2-yards out to give the Bruins a 21-10 lead.
Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Devin Ross (2) trying to find someone to run after a catch during the Colorado Buffaloes vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 30, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The Buffaloes would answer back with a touchdown of its own. Colorado cut UCLA’s lead to 4 on a 10-play drive capped by a 2-yard TD run from Lindsay. Colorado’s defense stepped up on UCLA’s next possession intercepting Rosen. The Buffaloes fell short of getting 7 and settled for a field goal cutting the Bruins lead 21-20.
UCLA was able to maintain its lead majority of the game with the help of its red zone defense. In 5 trips to the red zone for Colorado, the Buffaloes only scored one touchdown and were held to 3 field goals.
Rosen finished the night 28 of 45 for 372 yards and 1 touchdown. It is the 15th time he has thrown for more than 300 yards leading every quarterback in school history.
“I think a couple throws got away from him early. I think that he has set the bar so incredibly high that we all have to be a little bit measured of our evaluation of him,’” said Mora of Rosen.
UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) getting ready to throw during the Colorado Buffaloes vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 30, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The Bruins head into their bye week snapping its two game losing skid and although Mora says it feels good to get the taste of losing out of his mouth.
“You can take a sigh of relief but you can’t act like it is all fixed. There is a lot of work to do.”
Sylvia Fowles looking over the defense during the Showdown Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on June 21, 2016. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
ALL-WNBA Dallas Wings Diggs and Los Angeles Sparks Parker battling at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on June 13, 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2017 – Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles, the 2017 WNBA Most Valuable Player, headlines the 2017 All-WNBA First Team, the WNBA announced today. She is one of four regular-season MVPs named to the First Team, while the Second Team includes two former MVP winners.
Fowles earned 39 of 40 First Team votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, finishing with 195 points. She is joined on the First Team by New York Liberty forward Tina Charles (166 points), Dallas Wings guard Skylar Diggins-Smith (151), Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker (137) and Lynx guard Maya Moore (127).
ALL-WNBA second team Chelsea Gray turning the corner at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on June 18, 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
ALL-WNBA second team Nneka Ogwumike finding space at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on July 2, 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The Second Team includes two Los Angeles players, forward Nneka Ogwumike (135 points) and guard Chelsea Gray (100), as well as two members of the Phoenix Mercury, center Brittney Griner (91) and guard Diana Taurasi (71). Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones (106) completes the Second Team and joins Gray as the two first-time selections on this year’s All-WNBA Teams.
Voting for the All-WNBA First and Second Teams was conducted at the conclusion of the regular season. Players were selected by position and received five points for each First Team vote and three points for each Second Team vote.
Five of the 10 players selected to the All-WNBA Teams are part of the matchup between Minnesota and Los Angeles in the WNBA Finals 2017 presented by Verizon. With the series tied at 1-1, the Sparks will host the Lynx in Game 3 on Friday, Sept, 29 at 9 p.m. ET in ESPN2.
The 2017 All-WNBA Teams feature six MVPs winners: Fowles (2017), Charles (2012), Parker (2008, 2013) and Moore (2014) on the First Team, and Ogwumike (2016) and Taurasi (2009) on the Second Team.
Fowles, now a six-time All-WNBA selection and three-time First Team pick, earned her first regular-season MVP award after ranking fifth in the league in scoring (18.9 ppg), second in rebounding (10.4 rpg) and tied for second in blocked shots (1.97 bpg). She also shot a WNBA-best and career-high 65.5 percent from the field.
Charles has been an All-WNBA selection in every season of her eight-year career, including five First Team nods. In leading the Liberty (22-12) to the WNBA’s third-best record, she averaged 19.7 points (third in the league) and 9.4 rebounds (fourth in the league). The 2017 WNBA MVP runner-up earned seven Player of the Week honors, matching a WNBA record that she set last season.
Diggins-Smith was named to the All-WNBA First Team for the second time. She averaged 18.5 points (seventh in the WNBA) and a career-high 5.8 assists (fourth in the WNBA) while leading the league in minutes (34.2 mpg). The Dallas All-Star also attempted a WNBA-high 218 free throws and shot 89.4 percent from the free throw line (sixth in the league).
Parker’s seventh All-WNBA selection (fifth on the First Team) follows a season in which she averaged 16.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.45 steals and 1.67 blocks – a top-11 ranking in the league for each category. Her 10th WNBA season included the sixth regular-season triple-double in league history as she finished with 11 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists against the San Antonio Stars on July 28.
Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx playing defense at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on August 27, 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Moore was chosen to the All-WNBA First Team for the fifth consecutive season. With averages of 17.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.88 steals, Moore joined Fowles in helping the Lynx (27-7) post the WNBA’s best record and secure its seventh straight 20-win season.
The All-WNBA Second Team includes Ogwumike and Gray as they join Parker to make the second-seeded Sparks (26-8) the only team with three players on the 2017 All-WNBA Teams.
Ogwumike ranked sixth in the WNBA in scoring (18.8 ppg), eighth in rebounding (7.7 rpg), third in steals (1.85 spg) and tied for fourth in field goal percentage (56.1). Gray, in her third season, averaged a career-high 14.8 points, led the WNBA in three-point field goal percentage at 48.2 and contributed 4.4 assists (sixth in the league).
Diana Taurasi shooting at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Ca on September 14 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Brittney Griner going up at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Ca on September 14 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Griner and Taurasi both made history this season with the Mercury. In averaging 21.9 points and 2.50 blocks, Griner became the first player ever to lead the league in both categories in the same season. Taurasi, meanwhile, broke WNBA career records for points and three-pointers made. This year marked the 10th time in 13 seasons that Taurasi (17.9 ppg) averaged at least 17.0 points.
Connecticut’s Jones also produced a record-setting season. A first-time WNBA All-Star in her second season, Jones set single-season records with 11.9 rebounds per game, 403 total rebounds and 280 defensive rebounds. She also averaged 15.4 points to help the Sun (21-13) reach the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
In honor of being named to the All-WNBA First and Second Teams, each member of the First Team will receive $10,000, while each member of the Second Team will receive $5,000.
Below are the voting results for the 2017 All-WNBA Teams.
2017 ALL-WNBA FIRST TEAM
Player Team Position Points
Sylvia Fowles Minnesota Lynx Center 195
Tina Charles New York Liberty Forward 166
Skylar Diggins-Smith Dallas Wings Guard 151
Candace Parker Los Angeles Sparks Forward 137
Maya Moore Minnesota Lynx Guard 127
2017 ALL-WNBA SECOND TEAM
Player Team Position Points
Nneka Ogwumike Los Angeles Sparks Forward 135
Jonquel Jones Connecticut Sun Forward 106
Chelsea Gray Los Angeles Sparks Guard 100
Brittney Griner Phoenix Mercury Center 91
Diana Taurasi Phoenix Mercury Guard 71
About the WNBA
The WNBA – which features 12 teams and is the most successful women’s professional team sports league in the world – is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship, and entertainment value with its status as an icon for social change, achievement, and diversity. The league, which counts Verizon as its league wide marquee partner, concluded its 21st regular season on Sept. 3, 2017.
Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, increase breast and women’s health awareness, support youth and family development, and focus on education.
WNBA 2017: Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on August 27, 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
File Photo WNBA Finals 2016: Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on October 16, 2016. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Los Angeles, CA – It feels like deja vu with the 2017 WNBA Finals.
Just like in 2016, the Minnesota Lynx hosted the Los Angeles Sparks for the first two games of the finals, and both ended up sharing the spoils of the first two matchups.
And just like the 2016 finals, the first two games were tight and intense contests.
For the 2017 Finals, the Sparks host the Lynx for games 3 and 4, and will head into Friday’s third game hoping to take command of a 1-1 series tie at STAPLES Center at 6:00 pm.
File Photo Sparks Defensive playing tough during WNBA Finals 2016: Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Galen Center in Los Angeles, Ca on October 14, 2016. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The second game of the finals ended in intense and confusing circumstances.
Sparks guard Alana Beard turned the ball over attempting to inbound the ball and infringing on the five-second rule with about 13 seconds remaining.
It seemed all but over until the Lynx guard Seimone Augustus coughed up the inbound to give the ball back to the Sparks.
But as the Sparks tried to find a shot, Game 1 hero Chelsea Gray turned the ball over, and the Lynx leveled the series 1-1.
Game 2’s contest was decided by two points after the Lynx led the game in double-digits early on before the Sparks fought back to make it a two-point contest.
If that wasn’t enough, the Sparks led 28-2 in the first quarter of Game 1 before the Lynx clawed their way back to even it midway into the final quarter.
The two fought back and forth before Gray hit the game-winner to claim Game 1 by a single point.
File Photo WNBA Finals 2016: Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Galen Center in Los Angeles, Ca on October 14, 2016. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Least to say, Game 3 will hopefully be as intense and gritty as the first two was in Minnesota.
The Sparks hosted the Lynx last season for Game 3’s dominant 92-75 win to take a 2-1 lead.
Nneka Ogwumike is averaging 11 points and 9.5 rebounds in two games, and Candace Parker is averaging 16 points, 8.5 boards and five assists. Gray is averaging 21 points.
WNBA regular season MVP Sylvia Fowles struggled in the first half of Game 1 only to bounce back in Game 2 and is averaging a double-double of 17.5 points and 10 rebounds in the finals. Maya Moore is averaging 20 points for the Lynx.
