Pac-12 Football: 12 Players Who Impressed Week 1

Week 1 was a huge week in Pac-12 football. Several teams came away with big victories; others start the season off with a disappointing defeat.

So many players came up big to kickoff the season, and it was impossible to include them all.

Here are 12 players who impressed opening weekend.

(Note: These are in alphabetical order)

Juron Criner—Arizona

Arziona’s standout wide receiver, Juron Criner, is the best in the Pac-12 and one of the best in the entire country.

In the Wildcats’ season opener, Criner didn’t disappoint.

Criner brought in six passes for 151 yards, a touchdown and a long-off 44.

The Wildcats have a plethora of talented receivers, meaning that teams won’t be able to send two defenders to cover Criner as easily.

Nick Foles—Arizona

I’ve said for a long time that Arizona Wildcats’ starting quarterback Nick Foles is one of the most underrated players in the Pac-12.

Foles battled injuries in 2010, and there was some concern of nagging injuries still lingering.

I think Foles put those rumors to bed.

Against Northern Arizona, Foles completed 34-of-42 passes for 412 yards and five TDs.

I realize it’s against Northern Arizona, but it’s still impressive.

Jamal Miles—Arizona State

Arizona’s Jamal Miles was a little bit of here, there and everywhere in the Sun Devils opener against UC Davis.

It was Miles blazing 98-yard kickoff return that gets him on this slideshow.

Miles also had a lone rushing attempt against UC Davis, which went for 36 yards.

Mychal Kendricks—CAL

Cal’s linebacker Mychal Kendricks is one of the best in the entire Pac-12 conference.

Cal loses several key players from the 2010 defense (Cameron Jordan, Mike Mohamed), and they will need to rely on Kendrick’s senior leadership and productivity.

Kendricks is from the city of Fresno, and today he faced his hometown Fresno State Bulldogs in front of family and friends alike.

Against the Bulldogs, Kendricks recorded nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a shared sack.

Malcolm Agnew—Oregon State

Malcom Agnew’s outstanding performance for the Beavers is probably the only positive coming from the day for Oregon State.

Agnew had a career day, rushing for 233 yards and three pivotal touchdowns for the Beavers.

Agnew joins a long list of elite Oregon State running backs to rush for over 200 yards in a game.

Richard Brehaut—UCLA

The Bruins probably figured they wouldn’t be going almost the entirety of the game with Brehaut, but in football you have expect injuries. Quarterback Kevin Prince again got injured and was forced to exit a game early.

Brehaut played the majority of snaps, completed 17-of-26 passing attempts for 264 yards and two TDs and rushed for 87 yards and a score. His great efforts, however, did not translate to a win for UCLA.

Chris Gallipo—USC

USC's linebacker Chris Gallipo had a monster day for the Trojans.

In a day in which the Trojans' defense was supposed to dominate the Minnesota offense, it was Gallipo who really stepped up.

On the day, Gallipo recorded six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Robert Woods—USC

USC’s star receiver Robert Woods had one of those games that rarely come around.

Against the Minnesota Gophers, Woods caught 17 passes from quarterback Matt Barkley for 177 yards and three TDs.

USC barely emerged the victors against Minnesota, and they needed every one of those big receptions to come away with a victory.

Woods could have an All-American season for the Trojans.

John White IV—Utah

The Utah Utes’ offense uses a “running backs by committee” style.

Tailback John White IV made up one of only a few positive results from Utah’s opening game.

White, in the game, rushed for 150 yards and two TDs (one on the ground one through the air).

Brian Blechen—Utah

Brian Blechen is coming off of a freshman All-American season, but many wondered how he would handle moving from safety to linebacker.

I think he put the doubters to rest.

Against Montana State, Blechen recorded seven tackles and brought in two interceptions with 60 yards returning the picks.

Alex Hoffman-Ellis—Washington State

The Cougars were all over Idaho State in their season opener. Washington State’s Alex Hoffman-Ellis had a big game in Pullman with four tackles, a tackle for loss and a 67-yard interception return for a score. Washington State’s talent on the defensive side of the ball is definitely starting to go in thee right direction.

Marshall Lobbestael—Washington State

The Cougars were all over Idaho State in their season opener. One of Washington State’s best offensive players is their starting quarterback, Jeff Tuel. Tuel was injured early in the game, and backup Marshall Lobbestael stepped in and performed admirably. Lobbestael completed 14-of-19 passes for 230 yards and two TDs.