USC starts fast and goes on to rout Washington State to remain undefeated

December 6, 2020 Washington State Cougars vs USC Trojans Mandatory Photo Credit: Jose / MarinMedia.org / USC Athletics

Los Angeles, CA – It was all USC in the first quarter as they jumped out to a 28-0 lead. Amon-Ra St. Brown put on a show with four touchdown receptions in the opening quarter and No. 16 USC rolled to a 38-13 win over Washington State on Sunday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. 

“The last game where I had four touchdowns was actually my first game in high school as a junior,” St. Brown said. “That’s the last time I had four touchdowns in a game. So, for it to come today, in college, was crazy because it’s very uncommon. I’m just glad my teammates and coaches trusted me.”

Amon-Ra St. Brown catches a touchdown against WSU. (Photo by John McGillen/USC Athletics

St. Brown’s four touchdowns in the first quarter tied the NCAA record for touchdowns of any kind in a single quarter, a feat accomplished only seven other times and last done by Terry Caulley of UConn vs. Kent State on Nov. 9, 2002.

“I thought we really started out hot and the playmakers did an amazing job,” USC head coach Clay Helton said. “There’s a reason that ‘C’ is on Amon-Ra St. Brown’s chest because he is an unselfish player. You go three games and you’re not in the end zone, we talked about it and don’t change a thing. Touchdowns come in bunches and he’s just played the same, unselfish, physical game each and every week.”

After an incomplete pass to start the game, sophomore quarterback Kedon Slovis completed 17 consecutive passes in the first half and finished the game with 287 yards and five touchdowns. 

December 6, 2020 Washington State Cougars vs USC Trojans Mandatory Photo Credit: Jose / MarinMedia.org /USC Athletics

After stopping the Cougars on fourth-and-one in the opening drive, USC drove down the field with the help of Drake London’s 20 and 30 yard receptions. 

Slovis hit St. Brown on a 7-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Following a three-and-out by Washington State, Slovis connected with St. Brown once again, this time for a 22-yard touchdown. 

On the ensuing drive, USC safety Talanoa Hufanga tipped the pass to himself for the interception, hurdled a would be tackler, and returned it 37 yards to the Cougars’ 4-yard line. USC didn’t waste any time, pitching the ball to St.Brown on 1st-and-goal for his third touchdown of the game. 

An interception by Olaijah Griffin set up St. Brown’s fourth touchdown of the game. Slovis hit Tyler Vaughn down the right sideline for a 35-yard touchdown and a 35-0 lead in the second quarter. Washington State running back Travell Harris scored on a 5-yard run but the Cougars missed the extra point and trailed 35-6 heading into halftime.

“I thought Kedon (Slovis) was extremely accurate in this game 25-of-32 including five touchdowns,” Helton said. “We didn’t play our best ball in the second half, so there’s always some stuff that we can crack down on offensively, but to get a 25-point win, 16 point win last week and 25-point win this week, I think we’re making progress each week.”

December 6, 2020 Washington State Cougars vs USC Trojans Mandatory Photo Credit: Jose / MarinMedia.org Pool for USC Athletics NO FEE USAGE – FOR EDITORIAL PURPOSES ONLY

USC was held to field goal in the second half and the Cougars added a late touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Trojans defense forced three turnovers and held Washington State’s offense to 263 total yards.

Up next for USC is the 90th showdown with crosstown rival UCLA at the Rose Bowl next Saturday. The Trojans are one win away from a berth in the PAC-12 title game.