Pac-12 Notes

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Pac-12 Notes – Washington State

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October 19th – Game Day!

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Oregon all-but wraps up Pac-12 North with 35-31 win over Washington

From ESPN … Justin Herbert hit Jaylon Redd for a 5-yard touchdown with 5:10 left, the last of his four scoring passes, and No. 12 Oregon rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat No. 25 Washington 35-31 on Saturday.

What was expected to be a defensive showdown turned into an offensive shootout with both Herbert and Washington quarterback Jacob Eason taking the spotlight. Eason was great. Herbert was better.

Down 28-14 after Puca Nacua caught a 33-yard TD pass from Eason on the opening drive of the second half, Oregon’s touted defense finally showed up and gave Herbert a chance to rally the Ducks. The Ducks pulled within 31-28 on the final play of the third quarter when a well-designed screen pass on fourth-down found Mycah Pittman, and the freshman raced untouched 36 yards for the score.

The Ducks’ defense forced consecutive three-and-outs, and Oregon marched its way to the go-ahead score. Between Travis Dye and Cyrus Habibi-Likio, the Ducks went 70 yards in 3 1/2 minutes, and Herbert found Redd in the flat for the final 5 yards and the lead.

“We talk about the harder it gets the better we play and that showed up in the second half,” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said.

Herbert finished 24 of 38 for 280 yards. He threw TDs of 12 yards to Spencer Webb and 16 yards to Redd in the first half.

The victory gave Oregon (6-1, 4-0 Pac-12) complete control in the North Division. Four of the five other teams already have three conference losses, with Oregon State at 2-2 the closest to the Ducks.

… Continue reading story here …

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Oregon State wins second road game in three weeks – a “different team” 

From ESPN … B.J. Baylor scored on a 13-yard touchdown run with 4:41 remaining, and Oregon State held on after blowing a 14-point lead to beat California 21-17 on Saturday.

Jake Luton threw a pair of touchdown passes, Artavis Pierce ran for 80 yards and the Beavers (3-4, 2-2 Pac-12) had a season-high nine sacks to win for the second time in three games.

“We’re not the same Oregon State team as last year,” said defensive end Jordan Whittley, referring to the Beavers’ 49-7 loss to the Golden Bears in 2018. “Different team.”

Oregon State’s offense was shut down in the second half until driving 80 yards for the game-winning score. The Beavers converted three third downs on its way to the end zone, the third coming when Baylor bulled his way through the defense and stretched across the goal line to score.

Baylor was initially ruled down short of the end zone until a side official came in and signaled touchdown. The play was reviewed and confirmed.

Jaydon Grant sealed the win with an interception off third-string quarterback Spencer Brasch on Cal’s ensuing possession after Devon Modster was taken out for unknown reasons.

… Continue reading story here …

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Mike Leach: Cougar defense progressing, “but a couple aren’t on the same page”

From CougarFan.com … Mike Leach told the crowd at Friday’s Cougar Athletic Fund luncheon he feels confident in the Cougar defense’s progression, despite giving up a game winning drive to Arizona State last weekend.

“We run to the ball really well — we did last week, we just keep botching plays,” Leach said. “On a given play we do everything right with eight or nine guys, but a couple aren’t on the same page.”

He said that’s due to the youth and inexperience on defense, and again noted the defense needs to be simplified to keep everyone locked in.

In looking ahead to Saturday’s homecoming game vs. Colorado, Leach said the Cougs were prepared to face the 50-50 balance (Colorado has 226 rushing attempts; 212 passing attempts), and were paying extra attention to defending the Buffs’ play action.

LEACH ALSO SAID his social media ban has been successful, and that the players have responded well.

“What surprised me is the players thought the ban, it was outstanding, even the ones who are on it constantly. It’s peaceful now,” he said.

… Continue reading story here …

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October 18th

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Jon Wilner: CU/WSU a bowl eligibility elimination game

From the San Jose Mercury News … The Pac-12’s postseason picture has taken a turn for the hazy in the two weeks since our last projections:

More teams have lurched toward the bubble — to borrow a term from that other postseason event — than have moved onto secure ground.

Based on current status and upcoming schedules, the Hotline has identified two teams on the brink.

Their duel won’t get much attention from the media or general public, but Colorado-Washington State is essentially an elimination game.

The Cougars have lost three in a row and need three wins for bowl eligibility.

Lose to Colorado, and they must win three out of their final five: Stanford and Oregon State at home; Oregon, Cal and Washington on the road.

Given the wobbly state of their defense, the road lean of the schedule and their Apple Cup woes, three-out-of-five feels unlikely.

The Buffaloes are also in need of three victories for postseason eligibility.

Lose to WSU, and they must finish 3-2 (or better) against USC, Stanford and Washington at home, and UCLA and Utah on the road.

Maybe they get UCLA and one more. But three of five with their porous defense and injuries? Unlikely.

The tangle in Pullman doesn’t carry playoff, conference or division stakes.

It’s not a rivalry game.

It’s not a duel of ranked teams.

Instead, it’s about simple survival.

… Read Jon Wilner’s Pac-12 bowl projections here …

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UCLA ends 11-year drought v. Stanford with 34-16 rout

… Bruin victory leaves CU as the only team in the Pac-12 South with only one conference win (or, put another way, the Buffs are alone in last place in the division) … 

From ESPN … Dorian Thompson-Robinson wasn’t sure he was going to start Thursday’s game until just before game time. It turned out to be the best decision of the night.

Thompson-Robinson, using the bye week to help his recovery from a leg injury that caused him to miss a game, passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in helping UCLA end an 11-year drought against Stanford with a 34-16 victory over the Cardinal.

“I was day-to-day until tonight,” Thompson-Robinson said. “I had been practicing but I was told just before game time.”

Thompson-Robinson passed for 192 yards and rushed for 66 as UCLA snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Cardinal, dating to 2008. Joshua Kelley rushed for 176 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown run and a 53-yard gain. Kyle Phillips caught 10 passes for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

“A win is always good,” Thompson-Robinson said. “It goes back to getting together in the offseason and working on things like this.”

Jack West became Stanford’s third different starting quarterback of the season, the first time that’s happened since 1974. After early success, his inconsistent play led to a stalled offense.

“I’m always preparing to be the guy and this week happened to be the game,” West said. “It’s me making my first start but at the end of the day, it’s about execution, which is what we didn’t have.”

The Bruins (2-5, 2-2 Pac-12) scored touchdowns on their first two possessions, both passes to Phillips, to open a 14-3 lead with 4:48 remaining to play. It was UCLA’s first lead of more than seven points this season.

“I’ve seen that since the Washington State game,” UCLA coach Chip Kelly said. “Dorian kept drives alive with his legs. He takes what the defense gives him.”

… Continue reading story here …

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October 17th

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Two Pac-12 teams will gain bowl eligibility this weekend

From the Daily Camera … The Pac-12 doesn’t have any bowl eligible teams yet, but the conference will get two this week. Four teams come into this weekend needing one win for bowl eligibility, and they play each other in a pair of marquee matchups.

No. 12 Oregon (5-1, 3-0 Pac-12) will visit No. 25 Washington (5-2, 2-2) with not only the coveted six-win mark on the line, but also North division title hopes. Oregon has a two-game lead on the rest of the division, but Washington could get back into contention with a victory.

In the South division, No. 17 Arizona State (5-1, 2-1) visits No. 13 Utah (5-1, 2-1). Utah could become bowl eligible for the sixth year in a row, while ASU could get there for the third year in a row and eighth time in nine years. The winner, of course, would also be in prime position to make a run at the division title.

Notable

Oregon has allowed just 25 points in the last five games. In the last 50 years, only one other Pac-12 team has allowed 25 or less in a five-game stretch: USC in 2008 (13 points). … Utah’s Tyler Huntley is one of only three QBs in the country with at least 100 passes and no interceptions this season. His last interception came against the team he plays this week. He threw two against the Sun Devils on Nov. 3, 2018, before departing that game with a season-ending collarbone injury. … ASU enters this week with a streak of 125 consecutive games with 10 points or more – tied for the FBS record set by Louisiana Tech from 2008-18. … Cal, which hosts Oregon State, has held 13 straight opponents below 25 points – the longest streak in the country.

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October 16th

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Brenden Rice’s commitment to Colorado noted nationally

… Related … “Hamilton WR Brenden Rice announces commitment to Colorado” … from the Arizona Republic

… Related … “Three-star wide receiver Brenden Rice announces commitment to Colorado” … from USA Today

… Related … “Jerry Rice’s son, Michigan WR target, commits to Colorado” … from Michigan Live

From CBS Sports … Brenden Rice, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and legendary NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice, verbally committed to Colorado’s 2020 class on Tuesday, announcing his decision on Twitter. The younger Rice, a three-star wide receiver, chose the Buffaloes over Arizona State, Michigan and Oregon.

“Colorado was the pick for me because of the environment I felt out there; it’s different,” Rice told 247Sports. “I see what coach Mel Tucker’s vision is and I have a vision for myself, and I want to be a part of building that program up and what he’s doing there.”

Rice, who was in Boulder to watch Colorado pull off a comeback win against rival Nebraska, added that Tucker’s “enthusiasm really stood out.”

“He is only loud when he needs to be and it was great to be able to see him in the locker room at that game against Nebraska,” he said. “It was just different and it gave me goosebumps. I think I could run through a brick wall for that guy and it definitely makes me feel like that vision is something special.”

The 6-foot-2, 204-pound prospect is rated as the No. 70 receiver in the country, per 247Sports, and the No. 12 player in the state of Arizona. He will be part of the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game on Jan. 2 from Orlando, Florida.

… Continue reading story here …

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Candidates to replace Helton at USC includes three current Pac-12 coaches

From Yahoo Sports … With USC dropping to 3-3 after another loss to Notre Dame, the writing would appear to be on the wall for Clay Helton. And the writing says, “You’re fired.”

But first things first: The school needs an athletic director and is in the process of finding one. Colleague Pete Thamel laid out an argument for why USC should hire Jeremy Foley for that position. The main reason is to hire Urban Meyer all over again, the way Foley did at Florida in 2004. They went on to win national championships together, and theoretically could do it again on the other side of the country.

However, nobody seems sure whether Meyer is ready to coach again. If he decides to stick with his current TV analyst gig (he’s very good in that role), USC still could have many intriguing options. A brief assessment:

… Pac-12 piracy. As the school with more inherent advantages than any other in the conference, USC could potentially go after the league’s top coaches. Would they have an interest in Mario Cristobal, currently 14-5 in his second season at Oregon? How about Kyle Whittingham of Utah, who could win the Pac-12 South for the second straight season? Maybe even Chris Petersen of Washington, who has won the league championship two of the past three seasons?

However, none of the three would be a slam dunk. There may not be interest on the part of those coaches, and there may be reticence on the part of USC. Cristobal has done well in Eugene and is a renowned recruiter, but his in-game coaching has raised some questions. Whittingham is a consistent winner, but has never had the kind of offense that wins national titles — and the fact that he lost to this USC team isn’t a ringing endorsement. Petersen, once considered on the cutting edge of the profession, has seen his luster dim with some underachieving teams the last few years (including this one).

… Read full story here …

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October 15th

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Mike Leach bans WSU players from using social media

From the Spokane Spokesman-Review … Washington State football players, usually avid social media users, have been noticeably quiet on Twitter and Instagram since their 38-13 loss to Utah two weeks ago.

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October 14th

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Oregonian: The Sky is Not Falling on Oregon State (or CU)

… Note … Deep breaths being advocated here for Beaver fans. Some CU fans need to take note … 

From the Oregonian … Trying to make sense of where Oregon State football stands with 10 takeaways from the Beavers’ humiliating 52-7 loss to Utah

1. The sky is not falling

There is a segment of Beaver fans who want to believe this, of course, after Saturday’s crushing loss to Utah. But as it’s been pointed out several times in this space, and last night by coach Jonathan Smith, the path to respectability – and that’s the goal of OSU football, like it or not – isn’t linear. There will be highs where it all comes together, like UCLA, and hiccups, such as the Utah loss.

At this point, Oregon State losing to Utah is just that: a hiccup. Utah, with its physicality and veterans at key positions, is going to make many opponents on its schedule appear overmatched. It doesn’t mean OSU football is back to the dumpster fire it had become toward the end of the Gary Andersen era. There have been encouraging signs this season. The Beavers were within eight points of winning their first three games against FBS opposition this season. They have moved the ball against defenses that were less than Utah’s otherworldly unit.

Now, if Oregon State gets rolled at Cal, comes off a bye and gets stomped at Arizona, then there’s a big problem. But we’re at least a few weeks away from saying what Smith has created isn’t working.

… Continue reading story here …

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October 13th

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Pac-12 betting lines: Colorado a 12.5-point underdog

From VegasInsider.com …

Pac-12 lines

— Stanford … a 10.0-point favorite at home over UCLA … Thursday, 7:00 p.m., MT, ESPN

— California … a 10.5 point favorite at home over Oregon State … Saturday, 12:30 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks

— No. 25 Washington … a 2.5-point underdog at home against No. 12 Utah … Saturday, 1:30 p.m., MT, ABC

— No. 13 Utah … a 12.5 point favorite at home over Arizona State … Saturday, 4:00 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks

— Washington State … a 12.5-point favorite at home over Colorado … Saturday, 5:00 p.m., MT, ESPNU

— USC … an 8.5-point favorite at home against Arizona … Saturday, 7:30 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks

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USA Today: Nebraska failed promise leads national “misery index”

From USA Today … The hardest thing to reconcile about Nebraska isn’t the losing. Nebraska has lost for a long time, and it can’t be shocking to anyone when the Cornhuskers get manhandled by a better team, even if that team is Minnesota.

But look at these preseason quotes from second-year coach Scott Frost: “If I’m just comparing apples to apples with where we were last year, I know we’re a long way ahead of where we were. Guys’ understanding is better. I think they’re more physically ready to go. I think they’re fresh. I think they’re excited. I think they’re more confident. So, I’m pleased with where we are now, but we need to go out and prove it.”

Or how about this one at Big Ten media days: “Probably of all the areas we’ve improved, strength and conditioning across the board on our team has improved the most.”

Or this one during an appearance on Big Ten Network about higher expectations in Year 2: “I actually think it’s good for our football team. I think expectations have been way too low in Lincoln for way too long.”

Those aren’t the comments of a coach who was hedging his bets coming into the season. If anything, they suggested Frost was supremely confident in Nebraska making a big leap in Year 2. But the results are clear now: Whatever Frost expected his team to be hasn’t materialized in the slightest. You can even make the argument Nebraska is playing worse football now than it was at the end of last season.

… Continue reading story here …

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Oregon moves up to No. 12 in polls; Washington returns to polls

From CBS Sports … The new AP Top 25 poll was released Sunday afternoon, with LSU leaping past three spots to reach No. 2 after beating Florida 42-28 on Saturday night. The Gators didn’t fall far, moving from No. 7 to No. 9. LSU moved past both Clemson and Ohio State, even though Clemson beat Florida State by 31. Ohio State had the week off.

Elsewhere in the top 10, Georgia fell from No. 3 to No. 10 following its double-overtime loss to unranked South Carolina. What will surely be a subject of debate is that the Bulldogs find themselves two spots behind a Notre Dame team they beat just a few weeks ago. This week also sees four new teams included in the poll, as Minnesota debuts at No. 20, Missouri comes in at No. 22 while Appalachian State and Washington fill the bottom two spots in the poll.

AP poll … 

1. Alabama (30 first-place votes)
2. LSU (12)
3. Clemson (11)
4. Ohio State (9)
5. Oklahoma
6. Wisconsin
7. Penn State
8. Notre Dame
9. Florida
10. Georgia
11. Auburn
12. Oregon … up one spot from last week
13. Utah … up two spots
14. Boise State
15. Texas
16. Michigan
17. Arizona State .. up one spot
18. Baylor
19. SMU
20. Minnesota
21. Cincinnati
22. Missouri
23. Iowa
24. Appalachian State
25. Washington … up four spots 

Others receiving votes: Tulane 55, Iowa State 36, Temple 31, Wake Forest 25, California 20, Virginia 8, Memphis 6, USC 4, South Carolina 4, Texas A&M 3, UCF 3, San Diego State 2, Louisiana Tech 1

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USA Today/Coaches’ poll

1. Alabama (44)
2. Clemson (14)
3. LSU (3)
4. Ohio State (4)
5. Oklahoma
6. Wisconsin
7. Penn State
8. Notre Dame
9. Florida
10. Georgia
11. Auburn
12. Oregon … up one spot
13. Boise State
14. Utah … up one spot
15. Texas
16. Michigan
17. Arizona State … up seven spots (?)
18. Baylor
19. SMU
20.  Minnesota
21. Cincinnati
22. Iowa
23. Washington … up four spots 
24. Appalachian State
25. Temple

Others receiving votes … Wake Forest 87, Tulane 76, Virginia 35, Memphis 30, California 21, Iowa State 19, San Diego State 18, Navy 17, Texas A&M 14, Louisiana Tech 6, Duke 5, UCF 4, Pittsburgh 3, South Carolina 3

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Washington State defense: 143 points in three Pac-12 games – “We’re just missing a few pieces”

From the Spokane Spokesman-Review … “We squandered a few plays out there, definitely left a few more scores out there,” said quarterback Anthony Gordon, who completed 44 passes on 64 attempts – both career highs – for three touchdowns and no interceptions. “What it came down to at the end is we were one play short on offense and one stop short on defense. Just as a team, we’ve got to come together and make sure that, keep going through this adversity and find a way to get it done next week.”

Afterward, Cougars players maintained they aren’t focused on the bigger picture. Perhaps because they have too many small things to figure out. Before Utah’s 52-7 win against Oregon State on Saturday, UCLA (67 points), the Utes (38 points) and ASU (38 points) each had their highest-scoring game of the season against WSU, which has allowed 143 points in Pac-12 play and 1,715 total yards of offense – at least 500 in each game.

For a quarter, it looked like the Cougars had quelled many of their defensive issues. After allowing points in nine straight quarters, they blanked the Sun Devils in the first and came out of the period with a 10-0 lead. WSU pressured Daniels to the tune of three sacks in the first quarter and held ASU to 23 total yards of offense.

“I definitely think we put a lot more together this week and prepared well,” nose tackle Dallas Hobbs said. “… We’re just missing a few pieces, still, that we’ve just got to fix and I think it’s all going to fall in line.”

But one of those pieces – eliminating big plays – loomed large once the second quarter began and through the remainder of the game. WSU’s defensive backs had fits containing ASU receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who hurt the Cougars with 40- and 89-yard touchdowns in the second quarter and scored on a 33-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Aiyuk’s final line was seven receptions, a whopping 196 yards and three touchdown catches.

ASU running back Eno Benjamin gave WSU trouble, too, rushing 19 times for 137 yards. The junior was untouched on a 32-yard touchdown in the third quarter that gave the Sun Devils their first lead, at 24-17.

Blake Mazza kicked a 31-yard field goal to make it 34-31 with 2:30 left, giving WSU’s restructured and supposedly rejuvenated defense a chance to display everything it’s worked on since Tracy Claeys surprisingly resigned during the bye week.

But the Cougars fell back into old habits, letting the Sun Devils notch four first downs, while Daniels completed six passes to set up his touchdown run.

“Well, we had them on the ropes and should’ve gotten them on the field, of course, on fourth down,” Leach said. “Then we let the quarterback loose. But, yeah, we just need to do our job. Everybody’s got their spot on the field and we need to do it.”

… Continue reading story here …

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October 12th

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USC falls to 3-3 after 30-27 loss to No. 9 Notre Dame

From ESPN … Tony Jones Jr. rushed for a career-high 176 yards and Jonathan Doerer kicked three long field goals as No. 9 Notre Dame held off longtime rival Southern California 30-27 Saturday night.

The Fighting Irish (5-1), who rushed for a season-high 308 yards, clinched their third straight victory over the Trojans (3-3) on Ian Book’s 8-yard run with 3:33 left.

Book’s touchdown ended a 14-play, 75-yard drive that took 6:54 off the clock after USC had drawn within 23-20.

The Trojans’ Markese Stepp, who ran for 82 yards, scored from the 2 with 1:04 left to make it 30-27. But Notre Dame’s Brock Wright recovered the onside kick, and the Irish ran out the clock.

Jones’ fourth 100-yard game of the season came on 25 carries. He had 12 runs for 120 yards in the first half.

The Irish led 17-3 at half after Book threw a 10-yard TD pass to Cole Kmet, wide receiver Braden Lenzy ran 51 yards on a reverse and Doerer kicked a 43-yard field goal. The half ended with the teams engaging in some pushing and shoving before they headed to their locker rooms.

Doerer added field goals of 52 and 43 yards in the second half to keep the Irish ahead.

USC freshman Kedon Slovis completed 24 of 35 passes for 255 yards in his first game back from a concussion three weeks ago.

… Continue reading story here …

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Washington State will play CU on a three-game losing streak after loss to ASU

From ESPN … Jayden Daniels scored on a 17-yard scramble with 34 seconds left and threw three touchdown passes to ailing Brandon Aiyuk, leading No. 18 Arizona State to a 38-34 comeback victory over Washington State on Saturday.

Arizona State (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) trailed by three after Blake Mazza made a 31-yard field goal with 2 1/2 minutes left. Taking over at their own 25-yard line, the Sun Devils moved quickly down the field behind Daniels’ pinpoint passing.

The freshman capped the drive with his scramble, helicoptering off a defender into the end zone.

Daniels threw for 363 yards on 26-of-36 passing. Aiyuk had seven catches for 196 yards despite an illness that kept him out for portions of the game.

Anthony Gordon threw for 466 yards and three touchdowns, but Washington State (3-3, 0-3) was again let down by its defense.

The Cougars lead the nation in passing yards per game, are fourth in total offense and eighth in scoring.

Washington State was good against Arizona State from the start.

… Continue reading story here …

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This post, about the Washington State game, from the 2019 Season, is filed under Article.
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