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Eagles get to USC quarterback Cody Kessler five times

Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler was sacked five times Saturday. Above, Kessler is taken down by Boston College's Seyi Adebayo.
(Winslow Townson / Getty Images)
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USC’s offensive line did a good job of protecting quarterback Cody Kessler in the first two games of the season.

But Boston College sacked Kessler five times in the Trojans’ 37-31 loss Saturday night at Alumni Stadium.

The Eagles sacked Kessler once in the first half but got to him four times in the second.

Each of USC’s first four second-half possessions featured Kessler being sacked on third down.

Pullard plays second half

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Linebacker Hayes Pullard sat out the first half while serving a suspension for a targeting penalty against Stanford.

Pullard started the second half and finished with five tackles. He also broke up a third-down pass on Boston College’s first possession of the third quarter.

Sophomore Michael Hutchings started in place of Pullard.

Hutchings had five tackles.

Jackson returns

Freshman Adoree’ Jackson amassed 81 yards in kick-off return yardage.

Jackson returned the opening kickoff 28 yards and had a 50-yard return in the second quarter.

Jackson also made two tackles.

Williams plays

USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who has been nursing a left ankle sprain, made five tackles.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Williams had a game-best 11 tackles last week against Stanford.

Farmer scores

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Junior receiver George Farmer scored his first career touchdown on an eight-yard pass from quarterback Kessler in the first quarter.

He finished with two receptions for 16 yards.

Farmer was sidelined last season while recovering from knee surgery.

He had and four catches for 36 yards against Stanford and three for 20 against Fresno State.

Hawkins steps up

Redshirt freshman cornerback Chris Hawkins got his first interception late in the second quarter when he picked off Tyler Murphy’s third-down pass.

Hawkins has started in place of suspended senior Josh Shaw.

Hawkins finished with four tackles.

Telfer catches pass

Senior tight end Randall Telfer caught his first pass of the season in the first quarter.

Telfer’s 18-yard reception helped set up the Trojans’ first touchdown.

Telfer finished with two catches for 35 yards.

Freshman tight end Bryce Dixon had one catch for 25 yards.

Streak ends

USC suffered its first defeat against Boston College, dropping its record against the Eagles to 4-1.

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The Trojans defeated the Eagles at the Coliseum last season, 35-7.

USC also won, 34-7, at Alumni Stadium in 1988.

Quick hits

Freshman Viane Talamaivao started at right guard in place of freshman Damien Mama…. Boston College distributed 6,000 red bandannas to students in honor of former Boston College lacrosse player Welles Crowther, who saved lives in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001…. Former USC football stars Marcus Allen, Rodney Peete and Lofa Tatupu attended the game. Actor Will Ferrell, a USC alum, also attended.

gary.klein@latimes.com

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