Pac-12: Under-the-radar performances in Week 4

Colorado wide receiver Nelson Spruce's under-the-radar performance helped the Buffaloes upset Washington State on Saturday.

By John Breech

Sep 26, 2012 at 4:51 pm ET • 1 min read

Colorado WR Nelson Spruce caught eight passes for 103 yards in the Buffaloes' 35-34 win over Washington State on Saturday. (US Presswire)

Oregon may have put up 49 points against Arizona on Saturday, but the story of the game was defense, which pitched the Ducks' first conference shutout since 2003. With that in mind, Ducks CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu leads the way on the list of under-the-radar performances in Week 4.

3 under-the-radar performances

CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon: Ducks teammate LB Michael Clay was named the Pac-12 defensive player of the week, but that award could arguably have gone to Ekpre-Olomu. In Oregon's 49-0 thrashing of Arizona on Saturday, Ekpre-Olomu intercepted two Matt Scott passes, including a 54-yard pick-six. That alone would be considered a great game for most corners, but that's not all Ekpre-Olomu did. The sophomore also broke up three passes in the game. You can see him again: Saturday, vs. Washington State (at CenturyLink Field, Seattle) 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2).

RB Curtis McNeal, USC: With USC being such national brand, it's usually difficult for a Trojans player to go under-the-radar. However, McNeal might have accomplished just that in the team's 27-9 win over Cal on Saturday. McNeal ran for 115 yards on only 10 carries in the game, averaging an impressive 11.5 yard per rush. McNeal was somewhat overshadowed by teammate Silas Redd, who ran for 158 yards and a TD against Cal. You can see him again: Thursday, Oct. 4, at Utah, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN).

WR Nelson Spruce, Colorado: The freshman wide receiver was quarterback Jordan Webb's favorite target in the Buffaloes' 35-34 upset of Washington State on Saturday. Spruce caught eight passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in the win. Spruce had only totaled a combined 131 yards in the three games before Colorado played the Cougars. You can see him again: Saturday, vs. UCLA, 6 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network).

Others considered: WR Shaquelle Evans, UCLA: 6 catches, 148 yards, 1 TD vs. Oregon State. Rashad Ross, Arizona State: 5 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD vs. Utah.

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