Phoenix, AZ – USC was able to strike first on 3rd and goal from 2-yard line with 8:53 seconds on the clock on a RPO (Run Pass Option) when Caleb Williams (#13) dove for the pylon on bootleg. The Trojans went 12 plays 75 yards using over 6 minutes of game clock.
It took a late in 4th quarter surge for USC to walk away for the Sun Devils 42-28 and move to 4-0.
“For the first three quarters, it was kind of an example of how the road games can challenge you,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said. “It was an example how mistakes tend to show up on the road a little bit different than they do at home.”
Arizona St kept in the game earlier by capitalizing on USC mistakes, Sun Devils Tate Romley (#24) took off in the A gap and received a gift of a fumble on Williams (#13) exchange with his running back in the 1st quarter.
Right after the turnover by USC, Arizona St was able to get on the board on 3 & 10 with a shifty Cam Skattbo jump cut 15-yard scamper backside to endzone. The home team Sun Devils were so fired up being tied 7-7 midway through the first quarter of play.
Williams kept grinding all night throwing 3 touchdowns for 322 yards on 20/31 passes.
The Trojans are finding out that MarShawn Lloyd (#0) is capable of carrying the load with 14 carries for 154 yards to help control the time of possession.
They kept the pressure on causing a fumble on the next kickoff, but the call was called down that helped USC dodge going down early.
USC only led by 8 points 21-13 after the half giving the Sun Devils something to play for and extending the excitement for the fans.
Receiver Brenden Rice for USC was the deep threat for Williams catching 7 passes for 133 yards with 2 touchdowns. The biggest play in the air was Tahj Washington (#16) who 1 catch of the day went for 45 yards touchdown.
Sun Devils did have some bright highlights with quarterback Drew Pyne through 2 touchdowns, 1 interception for 221 yards completing 21/36 attempts.
“I think our guys realize we have the ability. So the belief factor that they know that we can go out there and win football games,” said head coach Kenny Dillingham.
The other two standouts were running back Cameron Skattebo (#4) who carried 20 times for 111 yards and adding 79 yards receiving with two touchdowns in the game. The leading receiver was Elijhah Badger (#2) caught 9 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown along with 2 pt conversion catch too.
Now USC will be happy that it knocked off some of the bye week rust to travel to Boulder to face the Buffaloes at 9am PST on FOX. Arizona St will continue to scrap and travel to face Cal Bears at noon on September 30th
