Pac-12 awards at season’s midpoint


Last week I documented the outright weirdness that has marked — or plagued, depending on where your loyalties lie — the 2014 Pac-12 football season thus far. This week, inspired by ESPN.com’s Kyle Bonagura, I decided to dive back into the fray and dole out some midseason awards. Along with the winners, I added some contenders that could take over the top spots by the season’s end.

Offensive MVP: QB Marcus Mariota (Oregon)

In a season that has defied any and all expectations, Mariota has been as advertised — and more. The redshirt junior still has yet to throw an interception and leads the Pac-12 in passing efficiency by over 20 points. Perhaps most impressively, Mariota has kept the Ducks’ offense firing on all cylinders behind an inexperienced, much-maligned offensive line. Now, with left tackle Jake Fisher back in the lineup, the conference’s top scoring offense could be more dangerous than ever.

In the running: TB Javorius “Buck” Allen (USC), QB Jared Goff (Cal), RB Paul Perkins (UCLA), WR Jaelen Strong (ASU)

Defensive MVP: LB Scooby Wright III (Arizona)

I firmly believe that USC junior defensive end Leonard Williams is the Pac-12’s best defensive player by a wide margin. Unfortunately, a combination of consistent double teams, nagging injuries and the real worry of risking a lucrative professional paycheck with a more serious injury has limited Williams’ production. I would never accuse the All-American of taking his foot off the gas until the NFL Draft comes around, as some did when South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney had a similarly disappointing junior season in 2013. Williams just isn’t that kind of player. But if it was true, could you really blame him?

On the other end of the spectrum is Arizona sophomore Scooby Wright III. The former two-star recruit, who has started for the Wildcats nearly his whole career, is playing like a man possessed this season. Though Wright only gained national attention for his game-ending strip sack of Mariota a few weeks ago, he has had the attention of Pac-12 offenses all year: his 70 total tackles lead the conference, while he ranks second in tackles for loss (11) and fourth in sacks (six).

In the running: Williams, LB Shaq Thompson (Washington), LB Eric Kendricks (UCLA)

Best Coach: Sonny Dykes (Cal)

Aside from a mystifying beatdown at the hands of Washington and a last-second loss to Arizona, Cal has been nothing but impressive this season. Goff has continued to grow as a quarterback, while the team’s other skill position players — namely at wide receiver and kick returner — have been equally excellent. Defense is an issue for the Bears, to be sure, but a team coming off of a 1-11 campaign has to have one weakness, right? I’m not sold on Dykes as a complete package, but he has done a commendable job inspiring faith in a group that went through one of the worst seasons in recent memory.

In the running: Rich Rodriguez (Arizona)

Biggest Surprise: Arizona

It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility at the beginning of the season to think Cal could get hot and rip off a few wins, especially with its offensive potential. The idea that Arizona, led by a freshman quarterback and without record-setting running back Ka’Deem Carey, would be undefeated in early October? That was out of the question. And yet, that’s exactly what happened. Quarterback Anu Solomon looks nothing like a freshman, Wright plays with no regard for human life, and the tandem of Nick Wilson and Terris Jones-Grigsby has been more than serviceable at running back. Whether the Wildcats continue their success or Saturday’s loss to USC signals a larger slide, it will be a season to remember in the desert.

In the running: Cal

Biggest disappointment: UCLA, Stanford

UCLA is the popular choice in this category, and for good reason. The Bruins limped to three non-conference wins before finally looking like the playoff-contender many predicted them to be in a 62-27 whipping of Arizona State on Sept. 25. Just as soon as the hype returned to Westwood, however, it disappeared again. A weak offensive line and an inconsistent defense doomed UCLA to consecutive tough losses against Utah and Oregon.

I added Stanford to this category not because the team has a signature bad loss, but because the Cardinal could so easily be undefeated. Three-point losses at the hands of USC and Notre Dame, both of which could have gone the other way, separate No. 23 Stanford from a prime spot in the playoff race. Instead, the Cardinal will have to fight for a third straight Pac-12 Championship Game appearance.

Best Eli Manning impression: QB Connor Halliday (Washington State)

Halliday put his own spin on the Manning face with a look of sheer incredulousness after his team fell to Cal 60-59 on a 19-yard missed field goal. The gunslinger threw for an NCAA-record 734 yards during the Oct. 4 game, and is averaging 477.7 passing yards per game so far this year. Someone donate that arm to science.

Best pun based on a game-ending play: The “Hill Mary,” Arizona vs. Cal

Question my objectivity all you want, but you have to take the “Hill Mary,” over the “Jael Mary.” Arizona’s Solomon connected with wide receiver Austin Hill to beat Cal a full two weeks before USC suffered a similar fate to Jaelen Strong and Arizona State. Be original, guys! And yes, as much as I enjoyed watching the “Shank-ron” on Saturday, it just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Come to think of it, I’m willing to bet this is a more competitive category than in past years.

Best sideline soap opera: Pat Haden vs. Pac-12 officials 

Again, a weirdly competitive category. Though I was thoroughly entertained by the spat between UCLA head coach Jim Mora and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on Saturday, I have to give Haden the nod. I saw it with my own eyes, but I still can’t quite wrap my head around his mid-hot dog charge down from the Stanford press box to the sideline. Never change, Pat.

Worst timing for punt return practice: LB Hayes Pullard (USC)

No competition. No explanation.

 

Will Hanley is a junior majoring in political science and communication. He is also the sports editor of the Daily Trojan. His column, “Sports Willustrated,” runs Thursdays.