USC’s dream of a Pac-12 South title is alive for another week.
The Trojans defeated California 27-21 to earn their second consecutive victory and remain in the hunt for the division title. USC still trails Utah by a game, but if the Utes slip up, the Trojans do own the head-to-head tiebreaker.
What was most fascinating about USC’s victory was that it came because of strong play on the ground. The Trojans ran the ball 50 times compared to just 19 passes from quarterback Cody Kessler.
Ronald Jones, Tre Madden and Justin Davis all had double-digit carries as the Trojans racked up 185 yards on the ground, which included two touchdowns. However, the most significant running game contribution may have come at the end of the game when the Trojans rushed for two first downs in the final three minutes following a Cal touchdown to cut the score to six.
Cal opted not to onside kick and put the game in the hands of its defense, which had played well most of the game. However, the Bears weren’t able to slow the progress of a determined USC team that is now 2-1 under interim coach Clay Helton.
Cal opted not to onside kick and put the game in the hands of its defense, which had played well most of the game. However, the Bears weren’t able to slow the progress of a determined USC team that is now 2-1 under interim coach Clay Helton.
Cal scored the first touchdown of the game, but USC scored the next 24 points, including a touchdown off an interception of quarterback Jared Goff. Cal got a couple key defensive stops, but Goff threw another pick that set up a USC field goal. Cal’s final touchdown came with 3:52 remaining.
Cal started the season 5-0, but has lost three straight to Utah, UCLA and USC. The Bears have dropped to fourth in the Pac-12 North standings and are now just vying to reach a bowl game for the first time since 2011.
USC got some bad news after the game, however. Leading receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster suffered a fractured hand during the game according to interim coach Cley Helton. Smith-Schuster has had a similar injury before and Helton said after the game that his availability going forward will be dependent on pain tolerance. Smith-Schuster has 47 catches for 901 yards and eight touchdowns
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