USC’s Robert Woods provides momentum shift

USC’s Robert Woods had another dynamic kickoff return in USC’s 32-31 defeat by Washington on Saturday night at the Coliseum.

Woods, a freshman from Gardena Serra High, helped USC erase a 10-point deficit in the second quarter when he returned a kick 55 yards to set up a short scoring drive that pulled the Trojans to within three points.

USC eventually took a 21-20 halftime lead.

Two weeks ago at Minnesota, Woods returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to reverse the momentum and send the Trojans on their way to victory.

Horton sits

Defensive end Wes Horton, who leads the Trojans with three sacks, did not suit up for the game.

Horton was accidentally kicked in the back during last week’s game at Washington State. He dressed for practice throughout the week but was listed as “limited” by Coach Lane Kiffin.

USC’s starting defensive line was Nick Perry and Armond Armstead at end and Jurrell Casey and DaJohn Harris at tackle.

Hard charging

It appears Allen Bradford has taken over as the Trojans’ top running back.

The senior from Colton High started the season behind Marc Tyler, but after carrying only 11 times for 62 yards in USC’s first two games, he’s run 40 times for 440 yards in the last three games.

Bradford cracked the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time against Minnesota, gaining 133 yards in 12 carries. He had 223 yards in 21 carries against Washington.

Tyler had 60 yards in 14 carries against the Huskies.

Different script

Saturday’s game was a contrast to the last two times the Huskies visited the Coliseum.

In 2006, third-ranked USC scored only one touchdown and appeared to be on the ropes when Washington quarterback Isaiah Stanback drove his team from its 20 to the Trojans’ 15 with two seconds left. But after the referee gave the signal to start the clock, time expired before the Huskies snapped the ball, and USC escaped with a 26-20 victory.

Two years ago, former Huskies coach Tyrone Willingham was a dead man walking. He had been fired the week before but was coaching through the end of the season. Current Washington Coach Steve Sarkisian, then at USC, helped send him on his way by coordinating an offense that helped the Trojans smash the Huskies, 56-0.

gary.klein@latimes.com

twitter.com/latimesklein