The Week

Trying to take advantage of Oregon State's inexperienced offensive linemen, Washington Coach Don James "used more blitzes than any time in my life." They led to six quarterback sacks, six fumbles and a 34-0 Husky win. On the game's ninth play Washington's Joe Steele darted 50 yards for a touchdown. All told, Steele gained 156 yards rushing.

Two other Pac-10 teams picked up victories against outsiders, UCLA beating Minnesota 17-3 and Stanford downing Tulane 17-14. UCLA's offense sputtered but its defense was tenacious. Stanford overcame a 14-3 deficit, going ahead in the fourth period on a 22-yard pass from Steve Dils to Ken Margerum. But the Cardinals' main man was Darrin Nelson, who scampered for 200 yards and had a 22-yard touchdown run.

The Pac-10's newest squads, Arizona and Arizona State, also upheld the conference's honor with victories against non-conference opponents. The Wildcats beat Iowa 23-3, and the Sun Devils downed Texas-El Paso 27-0.

A 27-23 win over New Mexico left Brig-ham Young alone at the top of the WAC. Cougar fans brought a seagull to the game in Albuquerque, and as it took to the air so did Marc Wilson, who completed 24 of 40 passes for 293 yards.

In an even wilder game, the fourth-highest passing yardage in NCAA history (536 yards) was recorded by David Spriggs of New Mexico State, and teammate Jeff Evans' 15 catches (for 316 yards) was also the fourth-best mark. Despite Evans and Spriggs—who hit on 31 of 59 tries, passed for four touchdowns and ran for a fifth—the Aggies lost. It was Southern Illinois, with Burnell Quinn racing for 201 yards and three touchdowns, that beat them 43-39.

Big Sky leader Northern Arizona trailed 26-7 at Idaho, then rallied to win 34-29. In another high-scoring conference tussle Montana State beat Boise State 31-29.

1. USC (4-0)
2. UCLA (3-1)
3. STANFORD (3-1)