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USC Trojans vs California Golden Bears Football Recap

It took until the midpoint of the season, but USC finally got its breakthrough performance.

The Trojans diverted from the 2010 script so far with a dominant defensive performance that helped key a 48-14 win against Cal on Saturday at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The thrashing was a stark change from the Trojans’ two previous games, both last second losses on field goals by Washington and Stanford.  

USC stifled the bears from the outset. Cal did not attain a first down until the Trojans were already up 21-0 in the second quarter.  

By the time Cal running back Shane Vereen took a Kevin Riley screen pass for a touchdown in the third quarter, USC was already up 45-0 by way of five first half touchdown passes by signal caller Matt Barkley. Keenan Allen caught a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to give Cal its second score.

After falling behind early, Cal had little recourse in this contest. Vereen was held to 53 yards on 10 carries and Riley – as has always been the case against USC – looked uncomfortable throughout the day. He threw two interceptions, including one to T.J. McDonald at the USC 5-yard line.

Barkley made quick work of what had been the Pac-10’s top pass defense. By halftime, he had already tied the school single game record for touchdowns with five. He returned for one series in the second half but afterward was spelled by Mitch Mustain.

Barkley finished with 352 yards on 25-of-37 passing.

Robert Woods remained Barkley’s favorite target with seven catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Fellow USC receiver Ronald Johnson also caught two scores, both short strikes in the final minute of the second quarter.

Marc Tyler scored the Trojans’ only rushing touchdown. USC had 211 rushing yards on the day, again spreading the ball to a number of carriers.

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Trojan running back C.J. Gable suffered a serious knee injury in the final minutes of Saturday’s game. USC coach Lane Kiffin said that the senior running back would miss the rest of the season, though school officials later said that the injury would require further evaluation.

USC has now won the last seven contests with Cal.

The Trojans will have the week off for the first time this season before playing Oregon at the Coliseum on Oct. 30. Assuming the Ducks defeat UCLA and hold onto their No. 1 ranking, the game will be the first time since 1988 that USC has hosted the country’s top-ranked team. In 1988, USC hosted Notre Dame, a team that eventually won that season’s national title.

By Mike Schwartz
DFN Sports Staff Writer