Los Angeles, Ca – USC peaks at the right time, taking down the #3 team in Country. Today’s victory will be a great cap to parents/ family weekend on campus. USC rolls on the Utes 42-24 in a surprising victory.
Film study on Monday for the Trojans will be extra special for Linebacker Cameron Smith who had a record 3 game interceptions and 1 touchdown. Utah’s quarterback Travis Wilson who went 24/36, 254 yards 2 touchdowns (3 if count Smith’s). Smith was just playing a great game and kept finding the passing lanes to help USC win the turnover battle 4-0.
Interim head coach Clay Helton elevated from offensive coordinator with the dismissal of Steve Sarkisian. This was his second game at the helm this season, but first time in front of the home crowd. Like playing the #3 team in the country wasn’t enough pressure already, the last seven USC coaches won their debuts in the Coliseum. Now we can make it eight after today’s win. The coaching staff was all smiles after the game coach Tee Martin said, “It was great to see our guys execute and play mistake free football.”
The game started off slow with USC first play from the line of scrimmage was a Utah sack and you could hear the fans grown. Ronald Jones came in game to move the chains with a student body right for a first down for 19 yards. Then running Back Justin Davis caps off the opening series drive with a 9 yard touchdown run on a 9 play drive. The Trojans took an earlier 7-0 lead with 7:59 in 1st quarter.
Utah responded to the first shot from USC with a nice play action pass that lead to 30 yard touchdown catch to Britain Covey. Devontae Booker made his presence know by have some big runs and great blitz pick up recognition. After that Booker was not much of factor for one of the Pac-12 leading rushers, finishing game with only 62 yards. The defense did its part next with another sack on Cody Kessler, that lead to short field. The Utes had 40 yard return to start their next drive on 3 yard line. One play later the Utes were up 14-7 and it was still 1st quarter.
After the 1st quarter the Trojans defense woke up, Cameron Smith picked off Wilson in 2nd quarter at 10:30 and returned it 41 yards to 4 yard line. Then the Trojans caught a break with the pick and barely capitalized with a 1 yards touchdown run by fullback Soma Vainuku to tie game 14-14.
Guess who picked another one out of sky linebacker C. Smith for his interception in game that resulted into a pick 6 that put the Trojans up 28-17 to go in on top at the half. This interception was on 4th & 2 yards to go was a turning point in this game that really swung the momentum to USC. Since USC deferred after winning the coin toss, this meant they would get ball back coming out locker room.
The game in the second half never really looked to be in danger with USC scoring one touchdown in both the 3rd & 4th quarter as extra insurance on the victory. The Pac-12 south division just got a little more interesting for next few games down the stretch.
USC will travel up to Cal on October 31st for their next game at 12:30pm. Utah will host Oregon State at 5:00pm and look to get back on track.
