WNBA 2017: Game Two of the Semifinals between the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks game at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Ca on September 14 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Chelsea Gray going into the paint during Game Two of the Semifinals between the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks game at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Ca on September 14, 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Long Beach, CA – Los Angeles Sparks find a way to hold off an aggressive Phoenix Mercury team 86-72 tonight at the Walter Pyramid.
It was a truly a dog fight with the Sparks slowing down the Mercury just enough to go up two games to zero.
From opening tip Candace Parker came out aggressive on both sides of the ball finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists.
Candace Parker elevating in Game Two of the Semifinals between the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks game at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Ca on September 14 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
“She (Parker) really competed on both sides of the ball,” said coach Brian Agler “She so versatile and can make her teammates better.”
Stepping up for the Sparks on the offensive end was guard Odyssey Sims with 21 points. Four of five starters were in double figures.
“Main focus was to take what the defense is giving us,” said Sims, “When the lane was open I took my opportunities.”
The referees kept trying to control the game calling 22 personal fouls on the Sparks and additional 19 fouls on the Mercury.
Diana Taurasi led her team with 21 points, scoring 16 of them in the first half of play. They really pushed the Sparks tonight to keep up the overall game.
Diana Taurasi shooting in Game Two of the Semifinals between the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks game at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Ca on September 14 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
“If you relax on good teams, the will score big points,” said coach Alger “We have to take things personal defensively. ”
Brittney Griner is such tough guard in the paint due to length and physicality. Even with the Sparks sending a double team most of the night she still finished with 16 points and only 5 rebounds.
The Sparks defense started on the rebounding off the glass being plus ten in rebounding category.
Brittney Griner going up in Game Two of the Semifinals between the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks game at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Ca on September 14 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
“We try to make them (Taurasi & Griner) make tough ones,” said Parker, “Like coach says muddy up the water.”
In the end Phoenix pushed Los Angeles just enough to make them uncomfortable and on their toes making plays.
Alana Beard from downtown in Game Two of the Semifinals between the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks game at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Ca on September 14 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Now the teams will travel to Phoenix to play game three Sunday September 17, noon with the Sparking leading this best of five (2-0).
GRANADA HILLS, Calif. – The CIF Los Angeles City Section and Bownet Sports are honored to announce the signing of an official Softball agreement. Bownet Sports will be the official softball for all playoffs and championship games beginning this spring in 2018. The agreement is for one year.
“Bownet is very honored and proud to be the official Softball of the CIF LA City Section. The CIF LA City Section has a long standing tradition of excellence and Bownet is committed to keeping that tradition alive,” said Jack Lucas, CEO of Bownet Sports. “The standards we keep on our softballs, our product and our commitment to the sport of softball goes hand in hand with the CIF LA City Section traditions and level of play.”
Bownet Sports is a leading sports manufacturer specializing in baseball, softball, soccer, football and lacrosse products including game balls, goals, nets and training systems. Bownet Sports is online at www.bownet.net
“We are happy to have Bownet Sports join us as a contributing sponsor,” Commissioner John Aguirre said. “We are excited to have their support and I am looking forward to our partnership.”
About the CIF Los Angeles City Section
CIF Los Angeles City Section is the governing body of high school sports for more than 155 schools in the Los Angeles area. The Section holds Championship events in 19 varsity sports and is committed to providing quality support services in a respectful and gracious manner. We aim to enhance member high schools’ abilities to manage interscholastic athletic programs. Our goal is to promote healthy, safe, and fair interscholastic competition and develop programs that will raise academic achievement in all student-athletes.
Sparks defense was upfront during the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on September 12 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The Los Angeles Sparks powered through early shooting and foul trouble to overcome the Phoenix Mercury 79-66 in the first round of the WNBA Western Conference Semifinal at STAPLES Center on Tuesday night.
Forward Nneka Ogwumike led Los Angeles with a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds as the Sparks starting five all finished in double-digit scoring.
“It was physical,” Ogwumike said. “For me, though, I wouldn’t say that the quantity of calls necessarily equates to the physicality. I’ve probably been in more physical games, but everybody was fighting to the finish; fighting to finish the plays. It was intense.”
It was physical, don’t get me wrong, but you’d have to expect that at this point, especially with a team like Phoenix, she concluded.
Unlike the last three meetings the two teams had, it was the Mercury that came out looking like they had a game plan.
Griner going hard to the basket in first half of the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on September 12 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The Sparks struggled to handle Brittney Griner in the paint as Candace Parker (15 points, six rebounds) and Ogwumike tallied two, early fouls within the first few minutes of the game.
And though Los Angeles had good looks, the Sparks couldn’t sink a shot. Los Angeles finished the first quarter shooting 8-for-19, compared to Phoenix’s 6-for-13.
Candace Parker getting an easy bucket off a turnover in 3rd quarter of the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on September 12 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
“Game went just like I thought it might,” Sparks head coach Brian Agler said. “These teams know each other extremely well and when that happens, and when they’re scouted well, it seems like the game gets bogged down some. I would imagine most games are going to be like this.”
Instead of the usual Los Angeles duo scoring at will, it was Leilani Mitchell who dropped consecutive threes to get Phoenix into scoring rhythm.
Despite its struggles, the Sparks only trailed by four by the end of the first frame, and the Mercury only stretched its lead to eight in that span.
Chelsea Gray elevating for a shot during the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on September 12 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
“Offensively we weren’t very fluid, we weren’t moving the ball,” Parker said. “We weren’t really pushing the ball in transition either. When I looked, we only had four fast-break points and that’s kind of unlike us.”
Griner continued to make things uncomfortable for Parker, forcing her third foul in the first minute of the second quarter.
“Britney was playing at the pace she wanted to play at,” Agler said about the Mercury center. “And we thought that they were real comfortable offensively, so I felt like at halftime, we just needed to up our intensity a little bit and create some opportunities with our offense.”
Regardless, Jantel Lavender’s presence in place of Parker’s slowed Griner down and eventually the Sparks center tied it 26-26 three minutes into the quarter.
The Sparks finally took its first lead of the game off of a Parker three from the left corner with two minutes left in the half.
The two finished off the quarter in a 42-42 stalemate with back-and-forth shots.
In the second half, the Sparks flipped the script.
“We just talked about simplifying the offense,” Ogwumike said. “I think we were trying to be a bit too choreographed.”
Nneka Ogwumike going right into Brittney Griner to the basket during the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on September 12 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Los Angeles came out on a 6-0 run and Phoenix was held scoreless until a pair of Yvonne Turner free-throws at the 5:53 mark.
Griner also ended up on the opposite end of foul trouble, hitting the five-foul ceiling midway into the third quarter.
“It was a hard-fought game,” Phoenix Mercury head coach Sandy Brondello said. “In the end, L.A. just had too many scoring options,The overall part we fought hard and I think a little fatigue was in there after all. We traveled a fair bit, but that’s no excuse.”
But just a few seconds later, Griner gut-checked Ogwumike in the paint for an offensive foul, the Mercury center’s sixth of the game. A few moments later, Camille Little fouled out as well.
Los Angeles pulled away in the final quarter, eventually pushing and settling on a game-high 13-point lead.
Mitchell finished 5-for-7 from three with 19 points. Griner had 18 points before sitting out, while the Spark held Diana Taurasi to only six points.
WNBA Defensive Player of the Year 2017 Alana Beard with her trophy at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on September 12 2017. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
WNBA president Lisa Borders was also in attendance tonight to give Alana Beard her trophy for Defense Player of Year.
The Sparks face the Mercury again on Thursday, September 14 at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach.
OFFENSIVE: Sam Darnold, RSo., QB, USC • Darnold completed a career-best 80.8% of his passes (21-of-26) for 316 yards with 4 touchdowns in USC’s win over No. 14 Stanford. • He completed his first 11 passes of the game. • His TDs went 4, 11, 22 and 25 yards. • It was the sixth time in his career he has thrown at least 3 TDs and fourth time with at least 4 TDs. It was the 12th consecutive game that he has thrown for at least 200 yards and the fifth time in his career for more than 300 yards.
DEFENSIVE: Peyton Pelluer, RSr., LB, Washington State • Had a team-high 14 tackles as Washington State rallied from 21-points down with eight minutes remaining in the game to win in three overtimes, 47-44, over Boise State. • Down 31-17 with just under six minutes remaining, he intercepted a pass and raced 36 yards for the touchdown, cutting the lead to seven. • The comeback matched the biggest fourth-quarter comeback for WSU since 1984 when the Cougars rallied from 42-21 down at Stanford to win 49-42.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Dante Pettis, Sr., PR, Washington • Pettis broke the Pac-12 record for punt returns for a touchdown with the seventh of his career when he ran a punt back, zig-zagging 67 yards for a score on the final play of the first quarter Saturday vs. Montana. • Pettis had also returned a punt for TD the previous week, at Rutgers (61 yards). • He’s the only player in the nation this season to have returned two punts for scores. • He currently sits just one shy of the NCAA record of eight, shared by Wes Welker (Texas Tech) and Antonio Perkins (Oklahoma). • Pettis also caught four passes for 32 yards in the Huskies’ 63-7 victory.
ALSO NOMINATED: OFFENSIVE: Manny Wilkins, ASU: Patrick Laird, CAL; Shay Fields, COLO; Justin Herbert, ORE; Bryce Love, STAN; Josh Rose, UCLA; Tyler Huntley, UTAH; Tyler Hilinski, WSU. DEFENSIVE: Koron Crump, ASU; Leo Jackson III, COLO; Thomas Graham Jr., ORE; David Morris, OSU; Harrison Phillips, STAN; Krys Barnes, UCLA; Uchenna Nwosu, USC; Filipo Mokofisi, UTAH. SPECIAL TEAMS: Alex Kinney, COLO; Jake Bailey, STAN; Darnay Holmes, UCLA; Matt Gay, UTAH.
Los Angeles, CA September 9, 2017: Stanford vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
Deontay Burnett shaking off a Stanford tackler in the Stanford vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
Los Angeles, Ca – What a difference a day makes USC Trojans shakes off the rust trouncing Stanford Cardinal 42-24 at the Coliseum Saturday night.
The Trojans were very impress with their running game and the defense shut down Stanford offense in the second half. The Trojans amassed 623 total yards on offense.
The one two punch of running back Ronald Jones III rushed for 116 yards, 2 touchdowns, while freshman Stephen Carr rushed for 119 yards. The 307 yards rushing looked like the days of old at USC.
“It’s Trojan football,” said coach Clay Helton when speaking on the running game after the game.
Sam Darnold
Ronald Jones III
Through the air Trojans had 316 yards combined receiving yards led by Deontay Burnett 9 catches for 121 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
Is quarterback Sam Darnold really ready for Heisman spotlight? Darnold had more time in the pocket this week.
“It’s going to be a good year if we continue to push.” said Darnold
Stanford started the game answering USC first touchdown with one of their own. They were only able convert 50% of their third down plays to extend drives.
The running game rushed for 170 yards in the post Christian McCaffrey era lead by led by Bryce Love with 160 yards and a touchdown with a long of 75 yards.
“They just rushed the ball better than us today,” said coach David Shaw “I’m not use to saying that but hats off to USC today.”
Receiver Steven Mitchell focused during the Stanford vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
Steven Mitchell was Darnold other hot target reaching the endzone for two touchdowns in the game. Darnold hit seven different targets through the air, spreading the ball around.
The Trojans will get one more week to have home cooking all week till they host visiting Texas Longhorns next Saturday.
Stanford will get in the film room before heading down to San Diego to face the Aztecs and revenge this loss.
NCAA Football 2017 Hawaii Warriors vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 9, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
UCLA receiver Demetric Felton making defenders miss during the Hawaii Warriors vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 9, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Pasadena, CA -For the second week in a row, UCLA fans at the Rose Bowl filed out just minutes into the 3rd quarter.
No thrilling comeback was necessary Saturday for the UCLA Bruins. UCLA began the momentum built from last week’s victory and never took its foot off the gas pedal in route to a 56-23 victory over Hawaii in Pasadena.
“It has definitely been enjoyable to watch him work,” said offensive coordinator, Jedd Fisch. “He has really worked hard and at it to really be locked in.”
Josh Rosen continued to impress going 12 of 14 for 170 yards with 3 touchdowns, and that was just in the first half.
Josh Rosen throwing from the pocket in the Hawaii Warriors vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 9, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Unlike last week, UCLA receivers were able to get open for Rosen in the first half and take advantage of the space given by the Hawaii defensive back. Darren Andrews had another strong performance for the Bruins with 4 catches for 92-yards and 3 touchdowns.
UCLA delivered the first punch with a 25-yard touchdown catch from Andrews. The Bruins would score a touchdown in all but their last possession of the first half giving UCLA a comfortable 35-7 lead at the half.
Receiver Theo Howard breaks away after a catch during the Hawaii Warriors vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 9, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Rosen and the Bruins stayed hot in the second half, which began much like the first. Rosen hooked up with Andrews once again, this time from 34-yards. Rosen had plenty of open targets to choose from.
Theo Howard opened the game as a bright spot for the Bruins in the open field. Howard finished the game with 7 catches 110-yards receiving and 1 touchdown.
An area of concern for the Bruins heading into today’s game was how they would hold up against Hawaii’s running attack. After giving up 286 rushing yards in the first half last week, UCLA gave up 281 yards on the ground in the two halves against Hawaii.
Darnay Holmes on a kickoff return during the Hawaii Warriors vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 9, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The Bruins were able to come up with their first turnover of the season. Darnay Holmes converted his interception into a touchdown after jumping a pass from Hawaii QB Dru Brown.
Besides holding Hawaii to 23 points, it was a game that could leave some dents in the UCLA defense. Kenny Young, Adarius Pickett and Jaleel Wadood all left the game with injuries and did not return. There availability for next week is still unknown.
Rosen finished 20 of 25 329 yards and a career high 5 touchdowns. All eyes will continue to be on him as the Bruins travel to take on the University of Memphis next week.
High School Football Serra Cavs at Dorsey Dons on September 8, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
John Jackson during the Serra Cavs at Dorsey Dons on September 8, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Los Angeles, CA – Early part of the CIF football season always brings out some good non sectional game with Southern Section Serra Cavs defeating City Section Dorsey Dons 44-7 Friday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
Both teams have talent on both sides of the ball, but today Serra made less mistakes and were more discipline finding their playmakers for touchdowns.
The game started with no flow due to refs being flag happy, but once second quarter Serra jumped out with 21 points on the scoreboard.
High School Football Serra Cavs at Dorsey Dons on September 8, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
A big key to Serra offense was quarterback Blaze Mckibbin who sat back in pocket finding his playmakers who racked up good yards after the catch. The pass was set up by a good rushing attack by Kalen Thomas who scored two touchdowns with 87 yards.
“Our offense did great tonight and our offensive line did a great job up front allowing us to run the ball and to have time to throw it,” said Serra quarterback Mckibbin
Dorsey had some big plays of there own just not enough to overcome the Cavs on their home opener at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
The Dons lone score of the game came on deep pass to Jordan Wood who ran under the pass and walked into the endzone.
Dorsey Don Jordan Wood on his way to endzone during Serra Cavs at Dorsey Dons on September 8, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
They will be battled tested play such a tough non league schedule to start off the season. The Dons will face St. John Bosco next Saturday.
The Serra Cavaliers will look to build from this victory as they start league play against Alemany at home of Friday.
OFFENSIVE: Josh Rosen, JR, QB, UCLA • Rosen led UCLA to the second-largest comeback in FBS history in a 45-44 win over Texas A&M, completing 35 of 59 passes on the night for 491 yards, the third-highest single-game yardage in school history. • His 35 completions rank as the second-highest single-game mark in UCLA history. • It was the 11th 300-yard passing game for Rosen which ties Cade McNown, 1995-98, for the most in UCLA career history. • In the second half alone, Rosen completed 26 of 36 attempts for 377 yards and all four of his single-game best touchdown passes. On the game-winning drive, he completed seven of 10 passes for 76 yards including a 10-yard scoring pass to Jordan Lasley. In the fourth quarter alone, he threw for 292 yards.
UCLA Josh Rosen on September 3, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
DEFENSIVE: Devante Downs, SR, ILB, California • Downs totaled 13 tackles (eight solo) along with 0.5 tackles for loss (-1 yard), one forced fumble, one interception that he returned 39 yards and one quarterback hurry in Cal’s 35-30 win at North Carolina. • Downs’ pick on the final play of the first half on the Golden Bears’ own 18 yard-line was a critical play that helped prevent North Carolina points just before the break. • Downs is Cal’s active career leader in tackles with an updated total of 160 and led the club with 84 as a 2016 junior.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Jake Olson, RSO, SNP, USC • In an emotional moment that has resonated nationally, blind long snapper Jake Olson snapped for USC’s final PAT versus Western Michigan. • Olson was born with retinoblastoma, a cancer of the retina. He lost his left eye when he was 10 months old and, despite numerous procedures on his other eye, he had his right eye removed when he was 12 in 2009 (he spent the day before his 2009 surgery at a USC football practice). • After long snapping in high school as a junior and senior in 2013 and 2014, he received a scholarship in 2015 to attend USC from Swim With Mike’s Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund.
NCAA Football 2017 Texas A&M Aggies vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 3, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Caleb Wilson with a catch during Texas A&M Aggies vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 3, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Pasadena, CA – It was a historic night in Pasadena for UCLA in its opening game of the 2017 season.
What seemed like a walk in the park victory for Texas A&M after leading 38-10 at halftime turned out to be one of Josh Rosen’s best games as a college quarterback who led the Bruins to a 45-44 win over the Aggies at the Rose Bowl and its biggest comeback in school history.
“I told them at halftime, I said let’s not look at the scoreboard, let’s just play football one play at a time and they did that and it worked out. We’ll take it,” said UCLA head coach Jim Mora.
UCLA Josh Rosen on September 3, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The Bruins were down 44-10 in the third quarter but would begin to make their march towards history with a 6-yard touchdown run from Soso Jamabo with 2:06 left in the third quarter to cut the Aggies lead 44-17.
The Bruins held on to the momentum in the 4th quarter. Rosen threw his first of 4 touchdowns in the quarter to Darren Andrews from 9-yards out. Andrews would catch another ball in the end zone, this time for 42-yards to bring the Bruins within 13 points with 8:12 left in the game. Andrews finishes with 12 catches for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns.
UCLA Bruins defensive back celebrate Jaleel Wadood (4), Adarius Pickett (6) in the Texas A&M Aggies vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 3, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
After allowing 286 yards rushing in the 1st half, UCLA was able to adjust only allowing 100 yards the rest of the game. The Bruin defense gave Rosen one last chance with under 3 minutes to go put this team in the school’s record book.
With 43 seconds left of the clock, Rosen turned a fake spike into a 10-yard touchdown catch to Jordan Lasley to put the Bruins on top for good 45-44.
Darren Andrews in the endzone like “Whoa” during the Texas A&M Aggies vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 3, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Rosen ended the night 39 0f 59 for 491 yards and 4 touchdowns. It was his first game back after suffering a shoulder injury against Arizona State last season.
Wide Receiver Caleb Wilson became on of Rosen’s favorite targets tonight with 15 receptions 208 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Jamabo led all UCLA backs with 46 yards on 7 carries adding one touchdown.
Jordan Lasley hitting the corner during the Texas A&M Aggies vs UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. on September 3, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The Bruins had 3 turnovers overall in the night two of those coming from Rosen on two fumbles in the first half.
UCLA will be back at the Rose Bowl next week when they host the University of Hawaii Saturday September 10, at 2:00pm.
Adarius Pickett celebrates. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
September 2, 2017: Western Michigan vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Jordon Kelly/ fi360 News
September 2, 2017: Western Michigan vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News
Los Angeles, Ca – It wasn’t pretty today on the field but the USC Trojans defeated Western Michigan University Broncos in a hard fought game 49 – 31 at the Coliseum.
The Broncos gave the Trojans almost all that they could handle in this home opener.
This 2017 season kicks off USC 125th season in school history. The school will use the hashtag #Team125 to celebrate this year happenings on social media.
Steven Mitchell Jr. in space on September 2, 2017: Western Michigan vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News
USC mounted a comeback at end third quarter with 10 play 83 yard drive that looked to wear down the Broncos defense some. The drive was capped off with a 11 yard touchdown by USC Darnold on a keeper.
Both teams took turns matching each other on the scoreboard with some great football being played on the field.
USC defense came up with a big stop on 3rd & 19 from 30 yard line forcing them to settle for 43 yard field goal to trail by 35-31 4:31 left in the game. The Trojans from this point on finished off the Broncos and kept they poise to get the victory.
“We celebrate all wins,” said USC coach Clay Helton “I’m thankful for #25 (Ronald Jones III) today.”
The Trojans leaned on the strength while trying to stick to balance game plan of passing and rushing the ball on offense. They began to find its rhythm once it found mismatches with the Broncos defenders.
Running back Ronald Jones out of the backfield was one of the mismatches that paid off gaining chunks of yards finishing the game with 18 carries for 159 yards 3 touchdowns. Jones scored the tying touchdown in second quarter with 4:21 on clock of 14-14 game.
The opening drive the Trojans gained 75 yards in 6 plays with a 16 yard touchdown run by Jones.
On the second series Sam Darnold was sacked and the Trojans were forced to punt. This gave Broncos good field position which they capitalized on tying the score 7-7 in 1st quarter of play.
Anton Curtis running on September 2, 2017: Western Michigan vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News
After the Broncos settled down they began to control the tempo and the game. They took a second quarter lead on quarterback keeper seven yards score to lead 14-10 over 14 minutes in the half.
The Broncos did have one more highlight on special team which was 100 kickoff return by Darius Phillips in 4th quarter 28-28.
Stephen Carr rushing to endzone on September 2, 2017: Western Michigan vs USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News
Now Helton knows his freshman running back Stephen Carr can come in and spell Jones and they will not lose a beat. Carr in his debut rushed 7 carries 69 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Trojans now will have some film on what areas need to be cleaned up to be ready for next week battle with Stanford at 5:30pm.
GRANADA HILLS, Calif. – The CIF Los Angeles City Section and Bownet Sports are honored to announce the signing of an official Softball agreement. Bownet Sports will be the official softball for all playoffs and championship games beginning this spring in 2018. The agreement is for one year.
