Forget that he leads the Pac-10 in rushing yards (945) and rushing yards per game (118.1), Rodgers also leads all Pac-10 running backs in receptions (24) and receiving yards (231). Its this versatility that forces defenses to keep constant watch on the true freshman, whose size (5'6", 180) doesn't make matters any easier. While his consistent play--seven straight games of 90-plus yards, including five that have eclipsed the century mark--puts the Texas native into contention for this honor, Rodgers' prime-time performance (37 carries, 186 yards, 2 touchdowns), in which he carried the Beavers over then #1 USC that helped engrave his name
on the illustrio
us plaque.
Defensive MVP--Kevin Ellison, University of Souther California
Statistically speaking, there are many others who might deserve this honor over Ellison, but, then again, that's why the game isn't played--nor can it be judged--on paper. Though he doesn't rank in the top five of any major defensive category, Ellison's immeasurable impact on the field has always been, well...immeasurable. The heart and soul of the best scoring defense in the country (USC is allowing only 8.1 points per game), Ellison is the type of player who presence alone makes everyone around him a better player. A ballhawk of a strong safety, the Redondo Union alumnus isn't the
most talented player on the Cardinal and Gold defensive unit, but he certainly is the one player they can ill-afford to lose.
Outstanding Performer--Mark Sanchez, University of Southern California
While not the MVP, Sanchez is definitely the conference's best individual player. The Heisman contender leads the Pac-10 in virtually every major passing category. While yards and touchdowns might generate the most attention, don't overlook the scarce number of sacks (8) taken by the Trojan signal-caller, a testament to his mobility and penchant for buying more time for his receivers to get open.
Coach--Mike Riley, Oregon State University
The Beavers haven't particularly come out of nowhere. As a matter of fact, they have been the conference's second most successful team during Pac-10 play over the last four years. However, Riley gets the nod for putting his brain before his pride by not only playing a true freshman--something he rarely does--in Jacquizz Rodgers, but giving him a senior's worth of responsibility, realizing the talent in the innaugural recipient of the Boogie Bowl MVP Award. Additionally, Riley has adapted to his personnel by instituting a more unconventional play book that includes Jet Sweeps and various wide receiver and running backs screens, taking advantage for his assortment of offensive weapons and overall speed in skill positions. And if you don't agree with me, listen to Dennis Erickson.
Disappointment--Dwight Tardy, Washington State University
A two-year starter looking to take huge strides in his 2008 junior campaign, Tardy has, instead, easily been the worst of all starting running backs in the conference. While his statistical lows may very well be a product of his teams' heinous play, one would expect an experienced and talented back like Tardy to at least cushion the Cougars' fall from grace, instead of adding to their misery. Also, averaging less than four yards per carry doesn't get him out of the doghouse and, while he is there, he might want to try rediscover the pay dirt, a place he's found only once in the seven contests.
Newcomer--Damian Williams, University of Southern California
The Arkansas transfer has made an immediate impact on the conference. After posting five touchdowns in the team's first five games, Williams' three-game absence from the end zone is arguably a product of his own team's dominance, as winning those games by a combined score of 142-10 has undoubtedly caused the Trojans to abandon the pass in the game's early stages. However, his consistency has helped solidify a unit that grossly underachieved last year, and his presence has helped the development of Ronald Johnson, whose five touchdowns and 19.0 yards per reception illustrate his transformation into a reliable deep threat, and has ignited the powers of Patrick Turner, whose 2008 campaign, which includes seven touchdowns, is more along the lines of what's been expected of him in the past.
Most Valuable Player...That's Not On The Field--Jake Locker, University of Washington
The most common theme in the Pac-10 this year? Injured quarterbacks. Washington State, UCLA, and Oregon have all lost multiple would-be starting quarterbacks to injury, most of them of the season-ending variety, while Arizona State's signal caller is battling more injuries than he can count on two hands. However, put together the talents of these fallen doves and they fail to match that of the grandest dove of them all: Jake Locker. Is that because the collection of Pac-10 quarterbacks is as weak as the collection of Big-12 quarterbacks are strong, or is Jake Locker just that good? Probably a little bit of both. The sophomore, who was gaining national recognition, was due for a breakout season and expected to carry the Huskies before going down with a broken right thumb suffered during the team's fourth game of the year versus Stanford. Though winless in their three games before Locker's injury, the Huskies played both BYU and Oklahoma, and the BYU game was the infamous Jake Locker-penalized-for-being-excited-game. Since then, additions to the loss column still follow after every Husky contest, but they no longer compete, often getting blown out of the stadium before halftime has even reached.
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