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USC Trojans vs Virginia Cavaliers Football Recap

USC 17, Virginia 14

It was hardly the performance that a heavily-favored team is expected to produce in its home opener.

However, Lane Kiffin and USC kept Virginia at arm’s length to hold on to a 17-14 win Saturday night at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

The Trojans’ performance was a far cry from the 52-7 drubbing that the team administered to the Cavaliers two years ago in Charlottesville, Va. But despite being outgained by Virginia, USC found just enough on offense to get by for another week.

Two short Matt Barkley touchdown passes in the second quarter was the most firepower that the Trojans could muster on Saturday night. However, those scores and a fourth-quarter field goal from placekicker Joe Houston were enough to stave off the Cavaliers, whose offense struggled to find any rhythm throughout the night.

Virginia wide receiver Kris Burd caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Marc Verica with four seconds left in the game, but USC recovered the ensuing onside kick. USC actually ran a scrimmage play instead of taking a knee on the game’s final snap, but fortunately, the Trojans didn’t fumble away a victory.

Given the way this slugfest unfolded, they were fortunate in that regard.

The game was defined by a litany of mistakes from both teams. USC upped its penalty total from last week with 13 flags for 140 yards. Several ill-timed personal fouls extended Virginia drives. One of USC’s holding calls erased what would have been a long touchdown play by Ronald Johnson.

In all, the discipline that was lacking under Pete Carroll’s regime and promised for the Lane Kiffin era was sorely lacking.

But Virginia committed several errors, too.

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A Barkley fumble gave the Cavaliers a short field and an opportunity to score first. However, with the ball at the USC 4-yard line, Verica lofted a throw into heavy coverage in the end zone. Defensive back T.J. McDonald easily grabbed the interception to keep the Trojans out of any early trouble.

Virginia also missed two field goals that proved crucial late in the game. The affair was so sloppy that even the winning coach found it hard to be upbeat. A surly Kiffin had little nice to say about his team following the game.

The maligned USC secondary wasn’t burned for any long touchdowns the way it was the previous week against Hawaii. On the other hand, the defensive line, thought to be USC’s strength entering the season, struggled to apply consistent pressure and corral Virginia’s power running game. Adding to USC’s woes, even in victory, was the offense’s 329 total yards, a showing that was not enough to satiate the Trojan fans who remained quiet through most of the night.

USC’s sleepy September continues with a trip to Minnesota on Saturday. The Golden Gophers were one of the latest victims of an FCS team, losing 41-38 to South Dakota at home.

By Mike Schwartz
DFN Sports Staff Writer