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USC Trojans vs Arizona State Sun Devils Football Recap

For once, it didn’t all unfold as USC feared it would.

Close games have been largely unkind to the Trojans so far this year. After losing two games on last-second field goals, USC was at risk of another late loss courtesy of an opposing kicker.

Instead, the kicker gave the game to USC.

The Trojans held on to a 34-33 win against Arizona State on Saturday at the Coliseum behind a blocked extra point returned for a two-point conversion and a short field goal by Joe Houston.

A tranquil first half gave way to a frantic finish and plenty of return yards. But in the end, special teams lifted the Trojans and sank the Sun Devils.

After Arizona State went up 33-29 with less than seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, USC cornerback Torin Harris returned Thomas Weber’s blocked extra point to cut the deficit to two points. The Trojans marched downfield on the subsequent drive to give the embattled Houston a chance at redemption. Houston shook off his two previous missed field goal attempts to drill the 29-yarder to give USC the lead.

The Sun Devils’ subsequent drive featured plenty of yards and a highlight reel play when  Cameron Marshall hurdled a USC defender to take the ball 26 yards and into USC territory. But Weber’s 42-yard kick was wide right.

Despite leading for most of the game, USC was unable to put Arizona State away. Malcolm Smith’s 74-yard interception return on an ill-advised Steven Threet pass gave the Trojans a 22-7 lead. Threet tossed a 21-yard pass to Gerell Robinson on the next drive, but was one-upped when Stanley Havili took a reception for a 22-yard touchdown on the following series.

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But the Sun Devils promptly responded with a 100-yard kickoff return by LeQuan Lewis for a touchdown.

A third-and-long turned disastrous for the Trojans when Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden intercepted a deflected Barkley pass and ran down the sideline for a touchdown. Barkley had two interceptions but three touchdowns for 215 yards.

Marc Tyler had his strongest performance since the season-opening win against Hawaii, recording 119 yards on just 12 carries.

The outcome was devastating for Arizona State’s bowl chances. In order to reach six wins, the Sun Devils must win two of their final three games – against Stanford, UCLA and Arizona.

USC travels to Tucson next week to play the Wildcats.

By Mike Schwartz
DFN Sports Staff Writer