Pac-12: Under-the-radar performances in Week 3

Stanford safety Jordan Richards was one of three Pac-12 players that had an under-the-radar performance in Week 3.

By John Breech

Sep 19, 2012 at 5:38 pm ET • 1 min read

Coach Jeff Tedford watched Cal QB Zach Maynard play one of the most impressive games of his career in Saturday's loss to No. 12 Ohio State. (US Presswire)

A quarterback played well in a losing cause. A freshman wide receiver had a breakout game and a Stanford safety helped lead the Cardinal to an upset of the No. 2 team in the country. Here are your 3 under-the-radar performances of Week 3.

3 under-the-radar performances

QB Zach Maynard, Cal: In Saturday's loss to Ohio State, the Bears had plenty of highlights -- Brendan Bigelow's breakout four-carry, 160-yard, two-touchdown performance, for instance. The team also had a few lowlights -- such as kicker Vincenzo D'Amato's 0-for-3 showing. But lost in all of that was the play of Maynard. In front of more than 100,000 screaming Ohio State fans, he was impressive, completing 26 of 37 passes for 280 yards and a touchdown. More important, he gave the Bears a chance to win. You can see him again: Saturday, at No. 13 USC, 6 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network).

WR Gabe Marks, Washington State: The WSU freshman had a coming out party on national television Friday. In the Cougars' 35-27 win over UNLV, Marks caught six passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. The freshman wide receiver has gotten more productive with each game. In Week 1, he had 16 yards. In Week 2, he had 77. In Week 3, he was up to 126 yards against UNLV. Colorado had better keep an eye on the first-year wide receiver in Week 4. You can see him again: Saturday, vs. Colorado, 4 p.m. ET (FX).

S Jordan Richards, Stanford: Richards played a big part in college football's biggest upset of Week 3. The sophomore safety made four tackles, broke up four passes and even picked off Matt Barkley once in Stanford's 21-14 win over then-No. 2 USC. Cardinal coach David Shaw said afterward: "Our safeties were huge." You can see him again: Thursday, Sept. 27, at Washington, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Others considered: RB Byron Marshall, Oregon: With Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas on the bench, Marshall proved the future of Oregon football is in good hands. The freshman running back ran for 125 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in the Ducks' 63-14 win over Tennessee Tech.

For all the Pac-12 news you can handle, follow @CBSSportsPac12, @JohnBreech, and @TheCoolSub.