COLLEGE FOOTBALL / WEEK 3 : PACIFIC 10 : Nebraska’s Crouch Wears Triple Crown

Nebraska backup quarterback Eric Crouch managed to do something in a little more than two quarters Saturday that no Cornhusker had done in nearly 26 years.

Crouch became the first Nebraska player since Johnny Rodgers in 1973 to run, throw and catch a pass for a touchdown as the No. 5 Cornhuskers beat California, 45-0, at Lincoln, Neb.

“Any time I’m on the field I have to take advantage of any opportunity given,” said Crouch, who scored three touchdowns and passed for one despite sitting out most of the first quarter and all of the fourth. “It’s a chance to let this team shine, a chance for me to make a big play.”

Crouch, who lost a preseason battle with Bobby Newcombe for the starting quarterback job, completed two of two passes for 102 yards and a touchdown, had nine carries for 21 yards and two scores and caught one pass for a 60-yard touchdown.

Stanford 54, Washington State 17--Todd Husak threw for three touchdowns and ran for a score and the Cardinal scored 28 points off turnovers to defeat the Cougars in a Pac-10 opener at Palo Alto.

Emory Brock blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown and Ruben Carter returned an interception 67 yards for another score, helping Stanford (1-1) move forward from last week’s 69-17 loss at Texas.

Washington State lost its 10th straight game over two seasons.

No. 15 Arizona 34, Middle Tennessee 19--Dennis Northcutt set Arizona’s career receiving record and scored on an 80-yard punt return before a first-quarter injury slowed him, and the Wildcats won in Tucson for their second consecutive victory.

Arizona (2-1), a 43 1/2-point favorite, outgained Middle Tennessee 329 yards to 128 through three quarters, with Trung Canidate running for 102 yards on 16 carries in the first half.

Oregon 47, Texas-El Paso 28--A.J. Feeley passed for three second-quarter touchdowns and Reuben Droughns ran for 108 yards and another score as the Ducks won at Eugene, Ore.