USC drops ASU in the night cap

LOS ANGELES, CA -OCTOBER 01: USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs out of the pocket during a college football game between the Arizona State and the USC Trojans on October 01, 2022, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)

Caleb Williams threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another score in a42-2 5 win over Arizona State on Saturday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.


The Sun Devils only trailed by four points at halftime but the Trojans defense made adjustments in the second half and the offense put together three scoring drives to pull away.

LOS ANGELES, CA -OCTOBER 01: Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Emory Jones (5)] gets sacked by USC Trojans defensive lineman Nick Figueroa (99) during a college football game between the Arizona State and the USC Trojans on October 01, 2022, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)


“We’re really excited about the win,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley said. “It’s great to be 5-0. It was a game of momentum. We had some momentum early, but we didn’t do a very good job finishing in the first half.”


USC is 5-0 to start the season for the first since 2020. The Trojans scored a touchdown on each of its first three possessions tonight and has scored on its first three drives in four of five games this season.


USC capped a 9-play, 75-yard opening drive with a Williams 1-yard QB sneak to give the Trojans an early 7-0 lead. Arizona State responded on the ensuing drive with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Emory Jones to Xazavian Valladay.

LOS ANGELES, CA -OCTOBER 01: USC Trojans tight end Malcolm Epps (19) catches a touchdown pass during a college football game between the Arizona State and the USC Trojans on October 01, 2022, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)


Williams gave USC a 14-7 lead with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Mario Williams with 1:52 remaining in the first quarter. The Sun Devils added a 40-yard field goal to cut the USC lead 14-10.


USC marched down the field and tight end Malcom Epps caught a 4-yard touchdown to give the
Trojans a 21-10 lead. Arizona State would not go away and cut the Trojans lead 21-17 on a 6-yard scramble from Jones.

Williams was intercepted in the end zone on its opening possession of the third quarter. It was USC’s first turnover of the season.

LOS ANGELES, CA -OCTOBER 01: USC Trojans wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches the ball for a gain during a college football game between the Arizona State and the USC Trojans on October 01, 2022, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)


“They made a good play on the ball and that happens,” Williams said. “Things don’t always go your way as I said before. It was how we responded, which is what I was happy about.”


After the defense forced a punt, the Trojans marched down the field and Travis Dye jumped over the line for a 2-yard touchdown.

Williams gave the Trojans a 35-17 in the fourth quarter after he hit Kyron Hudson for a 2-yard touchdown. Valladay scored on a 2-yard run to cut the lead 35-25.

LOS ANGELES, CA -OCTOBER 01: USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs out of the pocket during a college football game between the Arizona State and the USC Trojans on October 01, 2022, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)


Dye scored his second touchdown of the game to give USC a commanding 42-35 lead with 3:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.


USC is back in action on Saturday, Oct. 8 when they host Washington State.