Well, Washington beat Oregon Friday night in the last Pac 12 Championship. I am sad to see the conference break up. I think that Washington State will play in the same league as Manchester United and Arizona might have the Edmonton Oilers on their schedule next year, I don’t know.

It was the Pac 4 in 1915, when the league was formed: Cal, Washington, Oregon and an agricultural college that is today Oregon State

In the late 1940s, Elizabeth’s Dad played end for Washington and he went on to play for the 49ers. Football was his ticket out of poverty.

A decade ago, AGHS sent kicker Garret Owens, a fine young man I had the honor to teach, to Oregon State. along with fellow Eagles Brent Vanderveen and Garrett Weinrich.

And one of Elizabeth’s brothers, Kevin, who passed away this year, played in three Rose Bowls under USC coach John McKay. He was a runty linebacker who became the Trojan defensive captain because he was also really smart.

I was in Missouri atop the very famous and beautiful Ozark Plateua in 1974 when, on November 30, SC played Notre Dame. I was watching at my cousin Frances Sally’s house. The Irish were leading 24-6 at the half and my Missouri kin were making fun of Californians. “Them Trojans are playin’ like SISSIES.” (I am exaggerating. But not much.)

Then USC came back, thanks to running back Anthony Davis’s six touchdowns. My close personal friend Anthony Davis. (He met my Dad in Bakersfield one day and then my phone rang. Dad said “There’s somebody I want you to talk to.” Then another voice said “Hi, Jim! It’s Anthony Davis.” I stopped breathing, but only for about an hour.)

Final score that day: USC 55, Notre Dame 24. And this was Ara freakin’ Parsegian’s Notre Dame. He is one of the greatest football coaches in college history.

Anyway, here are some highlights.