Los Angeles, CA – USC used another last minute scoring drive to come from behind and win on the road. The Trojans rallied in similar fashion last week.
Vavae Malepeai redeemed himself after losing a key fumble last week with an 8-yard touchdown run with 25 seconds left to give No. 20 USC a 34-30 win over Arizona on Saturday.
“At the end, our kids did what they did last week,” USC coach Clay Helton said. “When it mattered the most, they never panicked, they showed great poise.”
The Trojans were down by three when Kedon Slovis connected with tight end Erik Krommonhoek down the middle of the field for a 6-yard touchdown and a 27-23 lead with 3:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Arizona came right back to take the lead with a 6-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Grant Gunnell’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Berryhill III with 1:35 left in the game.
“We have some things we need to get better at, but we’re 2-0,” Helton said. “A lot of teams would like to be in that position.”
Slovis completed 30-of-43 passes for 325 yards and a touchdown. Amon-Ra St. Brown had seven receptions for 113 yards. USC’s running game improved with 185 total rushing yards.
USC safety Talanoa Hufangas’ interception in the first quarter set up Markese Stepp for a 1-yard touchdown run. Gunnell hit Jamarye Joiner on a 34-yard touchdown pass to even the score, 7-7.
After both teams traded field goals, Stephen Carr scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to give USC a 17-10 lead in the second quarter. Carr finished with 83 yards on the ground. Arizona kicker Lucas Havrisik hit a 25-yard field goal to cut the USC lead, 17-13, at halftime.
Up next for USC is a road game against Utah on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
