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USC Trojans @ Stanford Cardinal Football Recap

The script was all too familiar for USC this past Saturday in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Trojans had seen the same ending they endured just the week before.

After a short touchdown run by running back Allen Bradford and an extra point gave USC the lead, the Stanford Cardinal drove down the field and kicked a field goal as time expired to escape with a 37-35 win Saturday at Stanford Stadium.

Quarterback Andrew Luck and running back Stepfan Taylor whisked Stanford well within scoring range in the final minute, though they were aided by a personal foul penalty on USC linebacker Chris Galippo. Cardinal kicker Nate Whitaker atoned for an earlier missed extra point, which accounted for the one-point differential at the time, with a 30-yard field goal at the final gun.

The loss was USC’s third in its last four games to Stanford. In all, it was eerily reminiscent of the 32-31 defeat that the Trojans suffered the previous week against Washington. That game also featured a late drive by a USC opponent ending in a game-winning field goal as time expired.

Versus Stanford, a career day for USC freshman wide receiver Robert Woods went for naught. Already known as a big-play receiver, Woods became quarterback Matt Barkley’s favorite target on the day with 12 receptions. He also finished with 224 yards and three touchdowns.

Despite the Trojans’ success through the air – Barkley finished 28-of-45 passing for 390 yards and three touchdowns – USC was repeatedly pushed around by a more physical Stanford team. The Cardinal prevented the Trojans from duplicating their rushing performance against Washington, limiting them to 108 yards rushing on 28 carries.

Moreover, a physical Stanford offensive line got the push it needed at critical junctures. Taylor led all players with 104 yards rushing and a touchdown.

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Whenever momentum swung USC’s way, it seemed to quickly return to Stanford’s favor. Trojan cornerback Shareece Wright scooped up a fumble by Taylor in the fourth quarter but became the recipient of a highlight-reel hit by Luck. The turnover set up USC’s go-ahead score, but the Trojans left too much time on the clock – 1:12, to be precise – for a Stanford offense that the Trojans had been unable to stop all day.

The bad news kept coming for the Trojans after the loss, as Dillon Baxter was on crutches following the game. Baxter scored the first touchdown of his career in the first quarter to open up the game. USC did not give a timetable for his return following the game.

USC hosts California on Saturday, starting a three-game home stand for the Trojans.

By Mike Schwartz
DFN Sports Staff Writer