Atkinson and Legree team for big passing day in Oregon State’s 56-26 win in Pac-12 opener
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Braden Atkinson threw five touchdown passes, three to Jesse Legree, and Oregon State defeated Colorado State 56-26 on Saturday in a Pac-12 opener for both teams. Atkinson found Legree down the right sideline for a 50-yarder to open the scoring. Legree turned a short pass into a 38-yard score to make it 38-14 at halftime. Legree’s 53-yard run-and-catch made it 56-26 with nine minutes remaining in the game. Legree finished with 157 yards on five receptions. Atkinson completed 30 of 34 passes for 413 yards.
No. 18 USC rallies past Washington 25-21 with Stewart’s fumble return TD, more big defensive plays
LOS ANGELES (AP) — No. 18 Southern California rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half for a 25-21 victory over Washington. Jahkeem Stewart returned a fumble 48 yards for the go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter. Jayden Maiava passed for 245 yards and hit Tanook Hines for a second-half score while the Trojans surged back with the game’s final 15 points for their first victory over the Huskies since 2016. Demond Williams Jr. passed for 198 yards and led Washington on a late drive from its 5 to the USC 12, converting two fourth downs and a third-and-11 along the way.
Fresno State wins Pac-12 debut, beats Washington State 26-6
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Wide receiver Josiah Freeman scored on a reverse and Fresno State beat Washington State 23-6 in the inaugural game for both team in the new-look Pac-12 Conference. Washington State (1-4), off to its worst start since the 2010 season, had a season-low 30 yards rushing and finished with 182 total yards. The Cougars, went into the game 130th out of 138 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision in third-down conversions at 28.9% (13 of 45) this season, were 3 of 14 (21.4%) on third down against the Bulldogs. Fresno State (4-1) has won four in a row since a 39-0 loss at then-No. 14 USC in the season opener.