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Top performances of 2012: Sean Mannion

We're looking at some of the top individual performances in the Pac-12 in 2012.

Up next: Mannion up

Who and against whom: Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion led Oregon State to a wild 38-35 comeback win at Arizona.

The numbers: Mannion threw for a career-high 433 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

A closer look: If it sometimes seems like the Pac-12 blog has a Sean Mannion bias in his odd QB carousel with Cody Vaz, it's probably based on this game. What did coach Mike Riley say after this thriller? "Some really good quarterbacking." Yep. It's not just the big numbers and lack of interceptions on the road. It was two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, including one concluding the clutch 75-yard drive to win the game. On that drive, Mannion was 6-for-6 for 52 yards. He capped things with a 9-yard touchdown pass to backup tight end Connor Hamlett on third-and-5 with 1:09 remaining. The game itself was crazy. The Beavers led 17-0. Then trailed 21-17. There were six lead changes -- in the second half! This victory made the Beavers 3-0 for the first time since 2002. Said running back Storm Woods: "Sean had a look in his eyes that I have never seen before. Sean is our leader; when he says we are going to score, we are going to score." Hmm. That's Woods, not the Pac-12 blog, talking. Just saying.