Pac-10 release:

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (October 21, 2010) - The Pac-12 Conference took major steps to transform itself into a dynamic new enterprise by forming two football divisions that maintain traditional rivalries, creating the first-ever Pac-12 football championship game, establishing schedule models for all other sports and agreeing to move to an equal revenue sharing plan for the first time in conference history, it was announced today.

The Chancellors and Presidents of the 12 member institutions voted to create a new North-South division structure that allows the conference to continue to play its traditional rivalry games, including the long-standing annual games among the California schools, delivers a football championship game to the home field of the top team in the conference standings and is easy for fans to follow.

"Our key objective was to transform the Pac-10 to a modern 12-team conference that has long term strength, increased value, competitive balance and is fan friendly and we have done that with these monumental decisions today," Commissioner Larry Scott said. "By unanimously adopting a plan for equal revenue sharing we have created a conference with a strong foundation for long term success. It's an exciting day for the Pac-12 and all of our fans."

"This has been a very thorough process that created a lot of discussion and has delivered results that we are all very excited about," said Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University and Chairman of the Pac-10 CEO Group. "The engagement we have received from all 12 member institutions and their Presidents and Chancellors has been tremendous. We have an ambitious plan for the future of our conference and all of that input was vital in allowing us to take these transformational steps."

The new divisions will feature California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington and Washington State in the North and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, UCLA, USC, and Utah in the South. Each school will play five divisional games, and four cross-divisional games each year. To preserve all of the historic rivalries, including those among the California schools, the new scheduling format locks in annual inter-divisional games between the Northern and Southern California teams, that date back to the 1930s.

The traditional rivalries like Oregon-Oregon State (113 meetings), Cal-Stanford (112), Washington-Washington State (102), Arizona-Arizona State (83) and UCLA-USC (79) will continue to be played at the end of each season. Not to be lost, USC has played Stanford (98 times) and Cal (89) more than it has faced cross town rival UCLA (79). Meanwhile USC, Cal and Stanford tie as UCLA's most frequent opponent at 79 meetings apiece. The divisions were formed based on the combination of rivalries, location and competitive balance.

"Not only did we achieve a competitive balance in our divisions, but we were also able to preserve our traditional rivalries as cornerstones of our conference," Scott said. "These great annual battles have produced some of the most memorable moments in sports history. It was imperative that we kept them in tact."

The inaugural Pac-12 Championship game will be played in December 2011 at the home stadium of the team with the best overall conference record, ensuring a full stadium and an electric collegiate atmosphere befitting of a major conference championship game.

There will not be divisions for Pac-12 basketball or any other sports. In men's and women's basketball, the teams will play an 18-game conference schedule that will include home and home games with traditional rivals, six rotating home and homes and single play games against the remaining four teams in the Conference.

The press conference announcing the Pac-12 decisions was streamed live at www.pac-10.org, powered by Ustream. That webcast is available for further viewing at http://ustream.tv/pac10.

Here's a list of this week's college football preview coverage.

Pacific-10 Conference: Breaking from tradition
UCLA: Taking higher aim
USC: Dynasty remake?
Community College football: Much seems to be new with Moorpark, Ventura and Ventura, Moorpark add more fuel to their rivalry
Ventura College: After a few doubts, VC upbeat about 2010 season and Sims' versatility a plus for VC
Moorpark College: (coming Friday)

Contrary to national reports, UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow will not leave for crosstown rival USC, according to a statement released from the school today.

Chow was reportedly set to join Lane Kiffin's staff at USC.

The UCLA statement:
Norm Chow, perhaps the top offensive coordinator in college football, will continue in that role at UCLA, it was announced today.

"I appreciate the interest from USC and Lane Kiffin, but I feel we are building something special here at UCLA and I am excited about our future," said Chow, who has coached three Heisman Trophy winners during his illustrious career. "We have some outstanding young players in the program and we are working hard on finishing strong in recruiting."

"We are thrilled that Norm is going to continue as our offensive coordinator," said head coach Rick Neuheisel. "As Norm said, we are building something special at UCLA and he is certainly a very important part of the package. We have unfinished business here at UCLA and our coaches and players are very excited about our future. I'm glad Norm wants to finish what he's started. UCLA is a special place to call home."

Oak Park High product Sean Westgate blocked his second career punt in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon at Stanford.

From the resulting field position, Kai Forbath kicked a field goal to pull UCLA within 24-16 with 4:16 to play at the Farm.

The standout sophomore contributed to two touchdowns on special teams as a freshman, returning a blocked punt for a score in his debut against Tennessee and blocking a punt that Glenn Love recovered for a touchdown against Cal.

From UCLA Sports Information:

"UCLA head football coach Rick Neuheisel announced today that four players have been suspended from the team due to a violation of team rules and will miss this Saturday's game against Kansas State.

Sophomore cornerback Courtney Viney, freshman running back Milton Knox and freshmen wide receivers Morrell Presley and Randall Carroll will sit out the Kansas State game. The players will participate in team practices during the suspension.

"When you are a member of a team, you have a special commitment to the entities that make up that unit and to those that you represent," said coach Neuheisel. "When someone falls short in that regard, there have to be consequences, and then, we move on." "

From UCLA Sports Information:

"UCLA head football coach Rick Neuheisel announced today that four players have been suspended from the team due to a violation of team rules and will miss this Saturday's game against Kansas State.

Sophomore cornerback Courtney Viney, freshman running back Milton Knox and freshmen wide receivers Morrell Presley and Randall Carroll will sit out the Kansas State game. The players will participate in team practices during the suspension.

"When you are a member of a team, you have a special commitment to the entities that make up that unit and to those that you represent," said coach Neuheisel. "When someone falls short in that regard, there have to be consequences, and then, we move on." "

From the UCLA release:

"Saturday's UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl versus San Diego State will be played as scheduled, it was announced this afternoon.

'Based on the current and projected information regarding conditions at the Rose Bowl provided to us by the AQMD (Air Quality Management District) and Pasadena city officials, including fire and health personnel, and after consultation with our medical staff, we are confirming that the game will be played as scheduled,' said UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero. 'We will continue to monitor the situation in conjunction with city officials in Pasadena and the AQMD.'

'Based on recent air quality measurements from a monitor stationed at the Rose Bowl this week and expected weather conditions Saturday, it should be game on for UCLA,' said Barry Wallerstein, AQMD Executive Officer.

Here's the latest UCLA release regarding the status of Saturday's game against San Diego State because of the Station wildfire:

"UCLA remains optimistic in regards to playing Saturday's football game at the Rose Bowl. It has requested additional information from officials and expects that information tomorrow."

My UCLA football preview: Bruins ready for fresh start

Kickoff may be at 4:45 p.m., but darkness will fall earlier on the Rose Bowl Saturday. Between San Diego State's new coaching staff and UCLA's young roster, both coaching staffs are having to work a bit harder to prepare for the opening game:

"It's as in the dark as I've ever been with regards to preparing for another program... It's an interesting time that's compounded by the fact that we're playing with so many young guys.

"There will be a bunch of coaches running around working hard on Saturday."

Having redshirted last season at UCLA and missed all but the first quarter of his senior season at Crespi High with a knee injury, UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince will start his first football game in some time Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

But the UCLA coaching staff is prepared to shepherd him through his first collegiate season.

"I don't know that he's sitting there thinking about being the starter," said UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel Tuesday. "It's been a long time since he's been out there. We've tried to create as many live action scenarios as possible.

"I just believe he's going to have a great freshman year.

"It's hard to describe all that can happen at the position without actually living it. There is no simulator."

Head coach Rick Neuheisel on the chance UCLA could start two freshmen and two sophomores on the offensive line Saturday against San Diego State:

"It is what it is. We've got a host of young players invovled in our two-deep.

"They haven't been given these jobs by default. They've earned them. You just have to trust them.

"More than worrying about it, I'm more excited about their chance to develop... I think they've got such tremendous futures."

Here's UCLA Monday statement regarding the fires near the Rose Bowl in the San Gabriel Valley:

"Our first concern is for the families affected by the fires and for the men and women fighting those fires.

At this time, the plan is to play Saturday's football game versus San Diego State at the Rose Bowl as scheduled. We are in constant contact with City of Pasadena authorities and will continue to monitor the situation."

UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel added to the statement during Tuesday morning's weekly teleconference:

"We're mindful of all the work being done to put out these fires that are plaguing the San Gabriel Valley. Our thoughts go out to the homes that are in danger and the families involved."

UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel is back for his second year in Westwood.

"I think we're a much more athletic team, stronger, more physical, but still relatively inexperienced."

"Getting our youngsters to play above their years. That'll be the key."

"I think we're on the right path. There are great things are in store for our program."

(On freshman Kevin Prince taking over the quarterback position)

"I just believe he's going to give us a chance to exploit all portions on the field. For that to be the case, we're going to endure some freshman-itis.

"Kevin Craft took a lot of the brunt and the blame last year, but the fact of the matter is we didn't protect him.

"We're going to have to do a much better about that."

From the Pacific-10 Conference:

Double Dippers: Patrick Chung of Oregon is a double first-teamer, being named on both defense and as the first-team special teams performer (non-kicker or returner). Plus first-team wide receiver picks Mike Thomas of Arizona and Sammie Stroughter of Oregon State also were voted onto the team as punt returners (Thomas first team, Stroughter second team).

Oh Brother: While Oregon State freshman TB Jacquizz Rodgers was named Pac-10 offensive player of the year and first-team All-Pac-10 running back, his brother, sophomore WR James Rodgers, was named to the first-team as a kick returner.
All-Academic: Five players were named to the first team on both the All-Pac-10 Team and the Pac-10 All-Academic Football Team--C Alex Mack of California, P Aaron Perez of UCLA, DE Nick Reed of Oregon, WR Sammie Stroughter of Oregon State and QB Mark Sanchez of USC. In addition, DE Clay Matthews of USC and CB Alterraun Verner of UCLA were named first-team All-Academic and second-team All-Pac-10.

From the Pacific-10 Conference:

By School: USC placed the most players on the first team with eight selections, followed by Oregon and Oregon State with five each. Arizona and California were next with four each. Five of the 12 players named to the first-team defensive unit are Trojans.

By Class: Of the 29 first-team selections, 18 are seniors, five are juniors, five are sophomores and there is one freshman.

Unanimous: Three players were named on the first-team ballot of all 10 head coaches--SS Kevin Ellison of USC, TE Rob Gronkowski of Arizona and offensive player of the year TB Jacquizz Rodgers of Oregon State. Four additional players were named on nine of 10 first-team ballots--C Alex Mack of California and the USC trio of OLB Brian Cushing, MLB Rey Maualuga and QB Mark Sanchez.

Three-time Selections: C Alex Mack of California and defensive player of the year MLB Rey Maualuga of USC were named to the first-team for the third consecutive year.

Offensive Player of the Year & Freshman of the Year Jacquizz Rodgers, TB, Oregon State:
Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC:
Coach of the Year Mike Riley, Oregon State:

Jacquizz Rodgers became the first freshman named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year today when the Pacific-10 Conference announced its postseason honors.

Rey Maualuga, who was a freshman at St. Bonaventure High, was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year.

Click the jump for the full teams.

UCLA quarterback Kevin Craft only threw one interception Saturday afternoon in the Bruins' 28-7 loss to No. 5 USC, but didn't do much else.

Craft completed 11 of 28 passes for 89 yards. Receiver Dominique Johnson threw the Bruins lone touchdown pass on a trick play.

"I think Kevin played hard, he worked hard to manage games and to learn our offense," said UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel. "This is not personally directed at Kevin Craft, (but) the quarterback at UCLA has to play better. For us to be the type of team that we want to be, the position of quarterback has to be played better.

"That means we have to coach it better, we have to perform better and we have to have more competition at the position."

Three plays after C.J. Gable fumbled the ball away on the Trojans' opening play from scrimmage, UCLA receiver Dominique Johnson hit running back Kahlil Bell for a 21-yard touchdown pass on a double pass to give the toothless Bruins a 7-0 lead.

UCLA's longest scoring play of the season was just the fourth passing touchdown, and 11th touchdown overall, USC's defense for the ages had allowed in 12 games.

"It took a trick play (to score)," said USC defensive end Clay Matthews, an Agoura High product. "From that point on, we said we weren't going to give up another point."

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel on the Bruins' touchdown, which gave UCLA a 7-0 lead inside the first four minutes Saturday at the Rose Bowl:

"We had the play for the entire year."

"The play is actually called 'Tennessee,' because it was put in for the Tennessee game, but we didn't have an opportunity in that game to use it."

"So we used it today and it worked and got us off to a good start. It was exciting."