No. 13 USC defeats UCLA, 36-14
USC’s Clay Helton has all but cleared his bench against UCLA.
James Toland IV rushed for 20 yards in five carries to run out the clock.
UCLA’s offense shows life before it’s shut down
Mike Fafaul completed a nine-yard pass to Caleb Wilson and a 32-yard pass to Darren Andrews, then the drive stalled and the Bruins punted.
“We are ‘SC” chants have broken out from the USC fans who have stuck around to see their team win.
Only 3:30 left in the game ... but who’s counting?
USC inserts reserve players late in fourth quarter against UCLA
Max Browne was inserted at quarterback for USC and the Trojans went three and out.
Aca’Cedric Ware gained three yards, Browne lost three on the following play when he was forced out of bounds scrambling, and Ware rushed for two to end the series.
No #Pac12AfterDark excitement here tonight.
It’s all but over for UCLA against No. 13 USC
UCLA went three and out.
The Bruins have run 46 plays to USC’s 86 and the time of possession is just as lopsided: UCLA had the ball for 15:10 to USC’s 38:15.
Trojans backup quarterback Max Browne is running onto the field for USC’s next series.
No. 13 USC leads UCLA, 36-14, in the fourth quarter
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but this one would say this is a boring game.
No. 13 USC leads UCLA, 36-14, with 7:01 remaining in the game after Matt Boermeester kicked a 25-yard field goal. The scoring drive covered 52 yards in 10 plays and took 4:24.
Aca’Cedric Ware was inserted at tailback and rushed for 18 yards in four carries.
Isaac Whitney caught his first reception of the game for 17 yards.
A large contingent of USC fans have stuck around. Most of the Bruins fans have left for the night. Who can blame them?
UCLA turns the ball over on downs
UCLA tried to find a spark, anything really, on offense but couldn’t. The Bruins turned the ball over on downs after a fourth-down pass to Darren Andrews was completed, but he was tackled short of the first down by Chris Hawkins.
On the previous play Mike Fafaul scrambled and avoided a sack, but his third-down pass fell incomplete.
There seems to be little chance that the Bruins can fight their way back into this game with 10:38 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Bruins have rushed for a measly 55 yards.
No. 13 USC leads UCLA, 33-14, in the fourth quarter
Takkarist McKinley broke up Sam Darnold’s third-down pass attempt and USC had to settle for a 32-yard field goal.
The Trojans lead the Bruins, 33-14, with 13:33 remaining in the fourth quarter. The scoring drive covered 73 yards in 18 plays and took 9:02 (I thought it just seemed long, but it actually was really long).
The Trojans converted twice on third down and once on fourth down.
Daniel Imatorbhebhe made his first reception of the game on a 15-yard pass from Sam Darnold.
The attendance was announced at 71,137, and most of those folks appear to be headed for the exits.
UCLA’s offense is struggling to move the ball
UCLA punted for a fifth time.
Caleb Wilson caught consecutive passes for 11 yards and eight yards before Bolu Olorunfunmi fumbled and Nate Starks rushed for a yard.
The Bruins need to come up with a stop and get some points in their next series to stay in this.
No. 13 USC leads UCLA, 30-14, in the third quarter
Who is De’Quan Hampton?
Hampton had caught four passes all season, but he’s now caught two passes -- both for touchdowns -- against UCLA.
No. 13 USC leads UCLA, 30-14, with 9:54 to play in the third quarter. The scoring drive covered 50 yards in 11 plays and took 4:59.
The Bruins’ defense looks gassed as the Trojans utilize every weapon on offense.
Ronald Jones II rushed for 16 yards in four carries.
Sam Darnold completed a 10-yard pass to Deontay Burnett and a 12-yard pass to Jalen Greene, who collided with teammate Darreus Rogers upon making the reception, and JuJu Smith-Schuster made an impressive grab on a seven-yard reception.
No. 13 USC leads UCLA at halftime
Here are some notable halftime statistics:
- USC’s Sam Darnold has completed 15 of 22 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions.
- JuJu Smith-Schuster has caught five passes for 58 yards.
- Ronald Jones II has rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns in 10 carries.
- The Trojans are five-of-10 on third down and one-for-one on fourth.
- The Trojans have 326 yards of total offense to UCLA’s 164; USC has rushed for 163 yards to the Bruins’ 45.
- Mike Fafaul has completed seven of 15 passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
- Jordan Lasley has caught two passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns.
- The Bruins are two for seven on third down.
No. 13 USC leads UCLA, 23-14, at halftime
Matt Boermeester kicked a 39-yard field goal and No. 13 USC leads UCLA, 23-14, with eight seconds remaining in the second quarter.
The scoring drive covered 61 yards in 12 plays and took 2:12.
Justin Davis rushed for 16 yards in three carries and caught an eight-yard pass.
JuJu Smith-Schuster caught a seven-yard pass.
And Sam Darnold has been a whiz-kid for the Trojans. He rushed for 15 yards in two carries.
Photos from UCLA vs. USC
UCLA’s Jayon Brown intercepts USC’s Sam Darnold
Jayon Brown intercepted Sam Darnold in UCLA’s end zone and returned it to the Bruins’ 23-yard line, but UCLA was unable to convert the turnover into any points.
The interception was the second thrown by Darnold tonight.
UCLA’s defense put together a nice series before the offense stalled after three plays.
Before the interception, Brown broke up a pass intended for the end zone.
UCLA’s offense stalls for second consecutive series
UCLA went three and out for a second consecutive drive.
Mike Fafaul threw three consecutive incomplete passes.
USC will have the ball at its 48-yard line.
No. 13 USC leads UCLA, 20-14, in the second quarter
De’Quan Hampton made a last-second move in front of Randall Gofforth to make a highlight-reel 31-yard catch for a touchdown.
No. 13 USC leads UCLA, 20-14, after Matt Boermeester missed the extra point. The scoring drive covered 65 yards in four plays and took 1:38.
The touchdown was the first of Hampton’s USC career. He had caught four passes for 22 yards this season.
Darnold slipped in between linemen to avoid a sack and picked up 13 yards, Justin Davis rushed for four yards, and then Adoree’ Jackson broke for 17 before Hampton’s touchdown reception.
Watch De’Quan Hampton’s 31-yard touchdown catch for USC
UCLA goes three and out for first time
UCLA went three and out for the first time tonight.
Mike Fafaul completed a four-yard pass to Darren Andrews, Soso Jamabo was stopped at the line of scrimmage and Fafaul’s third-down pass fell incomplete.
No. 13 USC and UCLA tied, 14-14, in the second quarter
Ronald Jones II — he is fast.
Jones found a hole and rushed 60 yards for a USC touchdown to tie the game, 14-14, with 11:07 remaining the second quarter.
The scoring drive covered 81 yards in five plays and took 2:14.
Jones rushed for nine yards to start the drive and Sam Darnold kept the ball for a three-yard gain on the next play.
Taylor McNamara caught an eight-yard pass and Jones rushed for a yard before he broke free on third down.
Jones has rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns in seven carries.
Darnold has completed nine of 12 passes for 96 yards, with an interception.
UCLA leads No. 13 USC, 14-7, in the second quarter
Fabian Moreau intercepted Sam Darnold and returned it 32 yards to USC’s nine-yard line before Darnold knocked him out of bounds.
Two plays later, Mike Fafaul completed a seven-yard pass to Jordan Lasley, in front of Adoree’ Jackson, for a touchdown.
UCLA leads No. 13 USC, 14-7, with 13:28 to play in the second quarter. The scoring drive covered nine plays in two yards and took 40 seconds.
Darnold’s first pass of the series was incomplete to JuJu Smith-Schuster, who lay injured on the field before he walked off with the training staff.
Moreau has two interceptions this season.
USC’s Rasheem Green blocks a UCLA field-goal attempt
For a second consecutive week USC blocked a field-goal attempt, and the Trojans take over on their 29-yard line. Rasheem Green was the player who got his hands on the football.
J.J. Molson attempted the 45-yard kick.
Jordan Lasley completed the most exciting play of the series for the Bruins, dropping a 30-yard pass to Brandon Stephens.
The drive stalled when Nate Starks rushed for three yards, Mike Fafaul’s pass fell incomplete and Starks was tackled for a loss.
USC punts after Jacob Tuioti-Mariner makes tackle for a loss
Jacob Tuioti-Mariner tackled Justin Davis in the backfield, and USC punted.
The Trojans were moving swiftly down the field before they failed to convert on third down.
Darnold completed a four-yard pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster, an 11-yard pass to Darreus Rogers, a six-yard pass to Deontay Burnett and then, like a magician escaping pressure, another 12-yard pass to Burnett on third and nine.
The drive stalled after Davis rushed for a yard and Rogers caught an eight-yard pass, when Davis was tackled for a loss on third down.
Smith-Schuster was injured during the series and was tended to inside the USC medical tent.
UCLA punts after Cameron Smith pressures Mike Fafaul
Cameron Smith put pressure on Mike Fafaul, who threw the ball out of bounds, to end UCLA’s series.
The Bruins punted.
Fafaul completed a four-yard pass to Darren Andrews, and Nate Starks rushed for 11 yards before the drive stalled.
No. 13 USC and UCLA tied, 7-7, in the first quarter
Sam Darnold, he’s incredible.
The redshirt freshman lofted a 28-yard pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster to put USC on UCLA’s one-yard line, and Ronald Jones II rushed for a touchdown on the next play.
UCLA and USC are tied, 7-7, with 9:50 remaining in the first quarter. The scoring drive covered 50 yards in nine plays and took 3:39.
Darnold completed all three of his pass attempts to Smith-Schuster for a combined 47 yards, including a 16-yard completion on third and 17.
Jones rushed for 11 yards in three carries.
Kenny Young sacked Darnold in the series. The Bruins looked like they’d force a punt until Darnold’s long third-down pass was completed
UCLA leads No. 13 USC, 7-0, in the first quarter
The few UCLA faithful in their seats for kickoff just saw the Bruins score — quick.
Jordan Lasley caught a 56-yard pass from Mike Fafaul for a touchdown and the Bruins lead USC, 7-0, with 13:29 remaining in the first quarter.
The scoring drive covered 70 yards in four plays and took 1:25.
Bolu Olorunfunmi rushed for nine yards in two carries in the series.
There’s nothing quite like the craziness of a rivalry game.
Lasley was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for his touchdown celebration.
Where are the fans? Rose Bowl half empty as USC and UCLA kick off
UCLA’s Jim Mora honors Nick Pasquale on senior day
UCLA honored its seniors before the game.
Coach Jim Mora held up a towel that read “Pac 36” in honor of late Bruins walk-on receiver Nick Pasquale.
Pasquale died in 2013 after he was struck by a car when he was walking home from a friend’s house.
Former UCLA & USC players tweet about rivalry
All is calm on the field before USC and UCLA kickoff
UCLA was warming up on the field at the Rose Bowl when USC arrived.
Unlike recent seasons, when some players needed to be separated near the 50-yard line, it appeared warmups continued for the Bruins without incident as Trojans players familiarized themselves with the field.
Kickoff is less than 70 minutes away.
For former Bruins football hero Eric McNeal, it’s always 8:47
To make one play like that, in a game like that, and have it knock USC out of a national championship? I hate USC, and even if some people don’t remember, enough do.
— Former UCLA linebacker Eric McNeal
He didn’t get famous. He didn’t get rich. He didn’t even get an easy ride home; he had to walk several miles through darkened Pasadena streets to find a friend’s car.
His jersey from that day is hanging in a closet wrapped in dry-cleaner plastic. His gloves and sweatband are stuffed in the back of a drawer. He doesn’t have the football because, after tipping and intercepting and waving it, he dropped it.
Ten years after making one of the biggest impact plays in the history of the USC-UCLA football rivalry, former Bruins linebacker Eric McNeal knows that most people have forgotten.
But he’s fine, because he knows one group that hasn’t.
The Trojans haven’t forgotten. The Trojans will never forget. And the Bruin loves it.
Ten years later, ‘that game’ against UCLA still stings USC and John David Booty
I remember we had to get up super, super early in the morning. We weren’t used to doing that. You just kind of had that feeling that morning; something wasn’t quite right.
— Former USC quarterback John David Booty
Time has taken the edge off the pain.
Former USC quarterback John David Booty answers an inquiry with a laugh.
“Why do y’all always want to talk about that game?” Booty says over the phone.
Ten years have passed since that game, known in the USC-UCLA rivalry simply as “13-9,” a crushing memory for the Trojans.
USC’s calculus was simple: win its final game, and the Trojans would be 10-1 and set for a date against Ohio State in the Bowl Championship Series title game, their third championship game appearance in three seasons.
Lose and … well, that wasn’t much of a possibility. UCLA, USC’s final regular-season opponent, was 6-5. USC had defeated the Bruins seven years in a row.
That game, one of the most stunning in the history of the rivalry, serves as a cautionary tale of overconfidence as the current Trojans prepare to play another struggling UCLA team Saturday.
USC is still in the hunt for Pac-12 South division title
USC players tweeted with excitement as Oregon upset No. 4 Utah in the final seconds Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City.
“LET’S GO !!!!!!!!!!” linebacker Michael Hutchings wrote.
Said Darreus Rogers: “ ‘Ruling on the field foot was in bounds’ best thing I heard all day!”
The Utes’ defeat means the Trojans are still alive in the Pac-12 South division title race.
No. 10 Colorado held off No. 22 Washington State, so No. 13 USC must defeat UCLA tonight and Utah must defeat Colorado next Saturday for the Trojans to make it to the championship game.
You better believe the Bruins would love nothing more than to squash the Trojans’ hope of that game tonight.
It’s been a rough season for the Bruins, who lost star quarterback Josh Rosen after five games because of a shoulder injury and are 4-6 overall and 2-5 in the Pac-12.
USC (7-3, 6-2) is hitting its stride after starting the season 1-3. The Trojans have won six straight, including an upset over then-No. 4 Washington last week.
It’s speed versus strength when UCLA’s McKinley matches up against USC’s Wheeler, Banner
They’ve got a huge challenge. Tak McKinley’s foaming at the mouth to get to us.
— USC Coach Clay Helton
The thinking must have been that Takkarist McKinley couldn’t use his devastating speed if he were on the ground, so Colorado’s right tackle lunged at his legs for a cut block in the second quarter of UCLA’s game against the Buffaloes earlier this month.
McKinley wasted little movement. He used the lineman’s momentum like a matador sweeping a bull under his cape. Then McKinley kept running. A back was in pass protection, but he either missed seeing the very big man running very fast at him or, more likely, pretended not to see him.
McKinley crunched Colorado’s quarterback just as he threw. The ball wobbled into the arms of UCLA linebacker Jayon Brown.
It was the type of play that can swing games.
It was also the type of play McKinley has made routinely this season — the type of play the USC offense has become adept at avoiding.
A fine line separates the Bruins and the Trojans
I’ll just tell you this: Whatever it takes to get ourselves in position to win the game, that’s what we’re going to try to do.
— UCLA Coach Jim Mora
About two hours, 12 miles and a vast difference in the trajectories of a college football season separated two plays by USC and UCLA last month.
Early in the evening at the Coliseum, USC’s line paved a massive lane across Arizona State’s defensive front. Justin Davis galloped through and sliced his way into the end zone. One lineman, Chuma Edoga, marauded so far downfield that he almost tripped over Davis when the running back belly-flopped into the corner of the end zone.
When the sun dimmed shortly afterward, so had the optimism over at the Rose Bowl, where UCLA’s running game found futility against Arizona. On a second down and 16, Soso Jamabo tried a run to the right side. He was stuffed and tumbled onto the leg of right tackle Kolton Miller, who’d been a rare bright spot in UCLA’s anemic running game. Miller left the game and hasn’t played since.
If one evening could capture the essence of divergent seasons, it was this. UCLA, the team trying to build a more physical brand of football, quite literally couldn’t get out of its own way. USC, a team that had lost three of its first four games, was finally running away from its painful start behind a resurgent line.
When USC (7-3 overall, 6-2 in Pac-12 Conference play) and UCLA (4-6, 2-5) renew their rivalry Saturday at the Rose Bowl, the quarterback position will define the game in the eyes of many fans. Sam Darnold’s insertion into USC’s starting lineup has changed its fortunes dramatically. And Josh Rosen’s injury dealt UCLA a serious blow.
But the biggest difference between the teams and their results is not among the passers but who is protecting them.