Washington State Finishes 2018 With School Record 11th Win

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – After picking up one bowl win last season as a conference, the Pac-12 went 3-4 in the 2018 bowl season.

The defending champion Washington Huskies couldn’t upset Ohio State in the Rose Bowl and Utah lost in the Holiday Bowl to Big Ten runner-up Northwestern.

Washington State won their 11th game, setting a school record after they beat Iowa State in the Alamo Bowl.

Here’s how the Pac-12 schools did after bowl season. Teams are listed by division, in order of their KSL Sports Power Ranking.

NORTH

1. No. 13 Washington State (11-2, 7-2)

Result: Beat No. 24 Iowa State 28-26 in the Alamo Bowl.

Recap: The Cougars set a school record for the most wins in a single season with 11.

Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew threw a touchdown pass and ran another one in to start the game before the Cyclones found the end zone. The Cougars held a 21-10 lead at halftime.

Iowa State scored 10 points in the third quarter to trail by one point, 21-20 at the end the three quarters.

Each team scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter with Iowa State failing to covert the two-point conversion.

Minshew finished with 299 yards and two touchdowns.

Previous ranking: 2

Next up: Washington State will host New Mexico State in their 2019 season opener.

Can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store for the WSU Cougs! #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/uRDydOTrHh

— WSU Cougar Football (@WSUCougFB) January 2, 2019

2. No. 16 Washington (10–4, 7-2)

Result: Lost to No. 6 Ohio State 28-23 in the Rose Bowl.

Recap: Ohio State did all of their damage in the first three quarters with a 28-3 heading into the fourth quarter.

Washington scored three touchdowns but still came up short as they fell to the Buckeyes.

Huskies quarterback Jake Browning had 313 passing yards while running back Myles Gaskin racked up 121 rushing yards and two touchdowns in their final game with Washington.

Previous ranking: 1

Next up: The Huskies will face Eastern Washington at home in their 2019 season opener.

Two of the greatest to ever wear a Husky uniform. @MylesGAS x @jake_browning #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/vogASf7a1A

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) January 3, 2019

3. Oregon (9-4, 5-4)

Result: Defeated Michigan State 7-6 in the Redbox Bowl.

Recap: Oregon, known for their high powered offense, didn’t find the end zone except one time early in the fourth quarter after Michigan State nailed two field goals in the third quarter.

Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert had 166 yards and one touchdown.

Previous ranking: 3

Next up: The Ducks will open their 2019 season in Arlington, Texas against Auburn on August 31.

Just getting started. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/tj7T4p2JO9

— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) January 1, 2019

4. Stanford (9-4, 5-3)

Result: Beat Pittsburgh 14-13 in the Sun Bowl.

Recap: Pittsburgh opened the game with a field goal in the third quarter before Stanford countered with a touchdown. The Panthers found the end zone before halftime to take a 10-7 lead.

Pitt scored just one field goal in the third quarter. Stanford scored a touchdown with 11:28 left in the game to get the 14-13 win.

Cardinal quarterback K.J. Costello threw for just 105 yards while running back Cameron Scarlett ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns, filling in for Bryce Love who sat out the game to get ready for the 2019 NFL Draft.

Previous ranking: 4

Next up: The Cardinal will open their 2019 season at home against Northwestern on August 31.

MVP performance from @cam_scarlett11 in the @HyundaiSunBowl.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/vTWd6cCtmd

— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) January 3, 2019

5. California (7-6, 4-4)

Result: Lost to TCU 10-7 in overtime in the Cheez-It Bowl.

Recap: It was one of the ugliest football games in college football history. Both schools committed a combined nine turnovers, all interceptions. Cal threw five picks while scoring their only touchdown in the first quarter. TCU scored the game-tying touchdown in the third quarter and kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime.

Previous ranking: 5

Next up: The Golden Bears will face UC Davis at home to begin their 2019 season on August 31.

The Bears end their season with an overtime loss in Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/MsCgIgWmDk

— Cal Football (@CalFootball) December 27, 2018

6. Oregon State (2-10, 1-8)

Result: Did not qualify for bowl game.

Recap: Oregon State has now missed a bowl game for the fifth consecutive season. The last time they were bowl eligible was in 2013.

Previous ranking: 6

Next up: The Beavers will start their 2019 season at home against Oklahoma State on August 30.

SOUTH

1. No. 17 Utah (9-5, 6-3)

Result: Lost to No. 22 Northwestern in the Holiday Bowl

Recap: After losing to Washington in the Pac-12 Championship, Utah looked for their 10th win of the season against Northwestern. The Utes scored two unanswered touchdowns to start the game before the Wildcats kicked a field goal. Utah kicker Matt Gay added two field goals to give the Utes a 20-3 halftime lead. Utah committed four of their six turnovers in the third quarter and Northwestern scored four touchdowns to give them the victory.

Utes quarterback Jason Shelley threw for 302 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and fumbled twice. Wide receiver Jaylen Dixon had nine receptions for 114 yards and one touchdown but also fumbled the ball twice.

Previous ranking: 1

Next up: Utah will open their 2019 season on the road against BYU on August 29.

The Utes fall to the Wildcats 31-20. We’re always United Together Eternally Soldiers and we are grateful to our amazing fans who made it out to the game. pic.twitter.com/e2ENoUm0K9

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) January 1, 2019

2. Arizona State (7-6, 5-4)

Result: Lost to No. 21 Fresno State in the Las Vegas Bowl

Recap: Fresno State started the game with a 10-0 lead in the first quarter before quarterback Manny Wilkins found Kyle Williams for a touchdown late in the period. Running back Eno Benjamin found the end zone to start the second quarter. The game was tied at 17 at halftime.

The Sun Devils made a field goal in the third quarter and that was the last time they would score. Fresno State scored one touchdown in both the third and fourth quarters.

Wilkins finished with 129 yards passing, one touchdown and two interceptions. Benjamin had 23 carries for 118 yards and one score. Star receiver N’Keal Harry did not play in the bowl game to get ready for the 2019 NFL Draft.

Previous ranking: 2

Next up: They will find out their bowl game on Sunday.

FINAL | No. 21 Fresno State 31, ASU 20

The Sun Devils showed plenty of heart despite a shorthanded roster.

Congrats to @eno_benjamin5 on an incredible season that will see him finish as as the Sun Devil school record holder for single-season rushing yards (1,642). pic.twitter.com/43lCK15P6V

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) December 16, 2018

3. Arizona (5-7, 4-5)

Result: Did not qualify for bowl game.

Recap: Before missing a bowl game this season, Arizona was bowl eligible the last six seasons.

Previous ranking: 3

Next up: The Wildcats will begin their 2019 season one week before the rest of the country when they travel to Hawaii on August 24.

4. Colorado (5-7, 2-7)

Result: Did not qualify for bowl game.

Recap: They have found their next head coach in Mel Tucker who was with Georgia during the 2018 season. The Buffaloes haven’t made a bowl game since they won the Pac-12 South division in 2016.

Previous ranking: 4

Next up: Their 2019 season will begin on August 30 at Mile High Stadium against Colorado State.

5. USC (5-7, 5-4)

Result: Did not qualify for bowl game.

Recap: This is the first time since 2011 that USC did not play in a bowl game. They didn’t appear in a bowl game that season due to sanctions from the Reggie Bush violation.

Previous ranking: 5

Next up: They will open their 2019 season at home against Fresno State on August 31.

6. UCLA (3-9, 3-6)

Result: Did not qualify for bowl game.

Recap: The Bruins missed their second bowl game in the last three seasons after winning just three games this season.

Previous ranking: 6

Next up: Their season opener will be on the road against Cincinnati on August 31.