Pac 10 Fans Home
Pac 10 Football
Pac 10 Basketball
Pac 10 Baseball
College Fansites
Pac 10 Apparel
Pac 10 Tickets

USC Trojans @ Arizona Wildcats Football Recap

The long wait is over. Lane Kiffin finally has his signature win as USC’s head coach.

USC’s season thus far had been defined by blowouts of inferior foes and close calls, most of them disappointing for the Trojans. But playing the role of underdog once again this year, USC got its long evasive win against a ranked opponent.

The Trojans weathered Arizona’s surge to hold on to a 24-21 victory Saturday night in Tucson.

USC prevailed in a new fashion, riding running back Marc Tyler to the finish line. The junior had 31 carries for 160 yards and a touchdown. Moving away from its running back by committee approach, USC’s next leading rusher, Stanley Havili, had 21 yards.

Arizona cut USC’s lead to three points with a minute left in the game when Nick Foles connected with David Douglas for an 11-yard touchdown pass. But Ross Cumming recovered the subsequent onside kick to secure the Trojans’ seventh win of the year.

The win was USC’s seventh straight at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats also became the first team to fall to the Trojans after beating them in 2009.

USC was able to establish an early lead by scoring touchdowns on each of its first two drives. Arizona’s early mistakes, a missed Alex Zendejas field goal and a fumble by Nick Foles, only deepened its hole.

But Foles regained his composure and helped lead the Wildcats’ charge. The junior signal caller finished with 353 yards and three touchdowns on 32-of-48 passing.

Terrence Miller and Juron Criner proved to be Foles’ two favorite targets on the day, combining for 13 catches and more than 210 yards.

> Browse the selection of Pac 10 apparel & merchandise online as well as Pac 10 tickets through Pac 10 Fans and partner sites.

The Wildcats outgained the Trojans and were able to engineer long drives by converting 11 of 16 third downs. But USC had the ball for 15 minutes more than Arizona and was able to run down the clock with its power running game.

Matt Barkley found his rhythm early but struggled down the stretch. He threw a short touchdown pass to Rhett Ellison and ran in another in the first quarter. But the sophomore finished with his lowest yardage output of the season, 170 yards, as the Trojans emphasized protection and the short passing game.

Barkley also threw his ninth interception of the year.

USC travels to Corvallis on Saturday to play at Oregon State. The Trojans have not won at Reser Stadium since 2004.

By Mike Schwartz
DFN Sports Staff Writer