HERM EDWARDS
2 Pac-12 football games canceled as virus problems linger
Friday's announcements from the Pac-12 capped the most tumultuous week of COVID-19 disruptions of the college football season. Fifteen games of the 59 games (25%) scheduled for Week 11 have been called off. The Sun Devils' home opener was nixed because of several positive COVID-19 tests among the team's players and coaching staff, including head coach Herm Edwards. The Pac-12 said the canceled games will be declared a no contest. So far, 63 games involving schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision have been canceled or postponed because of the pandemic since late August.
No. 20 USC rallies from 13 down late, stuns ASU 28-27
20 Southern California rallied from a late 13-point deficit for a 28-27 victory over Arizona State on Saturday in the Pac-12's long-delayed season opener. Bru McCoy caught a deflected 26-yard TD pass with 2:52 left for the Trojans (1-0), and McCoy then recovered the ensuing onside kick as well. USC's defense then stopped Arizona State (0-1) on downs near midfield with 50 seconds left to preserve an astonishing comeback for perpetually embattled coach Clay Helton's team. New Arizona State co-defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis also was on the verge of a resilient debut before the Trojans broke through. “I don’t think we were out of gas,” Arizona State safety Evan Fields said.
Next in summer of player empowerment: Pac-12 players unite
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)As college football leaders work to rescue a football season worth billions in revenue from the threat of COVID-19, the players have become emboldened. A group of Pac-12 players Sunday presented a list of demands on issues ranging from healthy and safety to racial justice to economic rights. The players claim more than 400 of their Pac-12 peers have been communicating through a group chat app about a possible boycott. I think its all attainable, said attorney Tim Nevius, a former NCAA investigator who has now represents college players in cases involving NCAA issues. These recent events have put a spotlight on critical issues in college sports.___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25