USC runs all over California, 45-24
California’s final offensive series resulted in no points, though Sonny Dykes did find it necessary to prolong the Golden Bears’ agony by calling a timeout, and USC improved to 5-3 overall and 4-2 in the Pac-12 after defeating California, 45-24.
USC leads California, 45-24, in the fourth quarter
We thought USC was sparing us, rushing the ball the entire series as it approaches 11 p.m., but then Clay Helton called two timeouts in the series.
Nevertheless, USC kicked a 32-yard field goal and leads California, 45-24, with 2:40 remaining in the game. The scoring drive covered 50 yards in 12 plays and took 7:49.
Aca’Cedric Ware or Ronald Jones II carried the ball on all 12 plays.
Ware has rushed for a career-high 130 yards in 20 carries and Jones has rushed for a career-high 223 yards and a touchdown in 18 carries.
That’s a lot of work for the two backs.
And while impressive, keep in mind that California had the third-worst rushing defense coming into the game. Still, nice accomplishments for Ware and Jones.
Sam Darnold intercepted
Luke Rubenzer intercepted Sam Darnold at California’s seven-yard line and returned it 23 yards, but the Bears were unable to convert the turnover into any points and turned the ball over on downs.
The interception was Darnold’s third turnover of the game. He fumbled twice in the first half.
Prior to the interception, Aca’Cedric Ware rushed for six and 15 yards in consecutive carries. One must wonder why, ahead 42-24, USC didn’t just elect to run the ball.
USC leads California, 42-24, in the fourth quarter
Davis Webb completed a 16-yard pass to Melquise Stovall for a California touchdown, and the Bears are sticking around just enough to be annoying.
USC leads, 42-24, with 13:12 remaining in the game. The scoring drive covered 75 yards in 12 plays and took 3:03.
Webb completed four of seven passes in the series.
USC linebacker Uchenna Nwosu was injured on the last play of the series, but was able to walk off on his own after trainers tended to him.
USC leads California, 42-17, in the third quarter
No #Pac12AfterDark here.
Sam Darnold found Daniel Imatorbhebhe in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown and USC leads California, 42-17.
The scoring drive covered 65 yards in five plays and took 1:51.
The drive started with JuJu Smith-Schuster rushing for 20 yards, plus picking up 15 extra when he was dragged down by a horse-collar tackle.
Aca’Cedric Ware also rushed for six yards in two carries and Darreus Rogers caught a seven-yard pass.
Fans are trickling out of the Coliseum with this game looking out of the Bears’ reach.
USC takes over on downs
USC took over on downs at their 35-yard line after making a third-down and fourth-down stop.
California was moving the ball until Ajene Harris made a nice pass breakup on third and five.
Earlier in the drive, Iman Marshall was called for USC’s 10th penalty, pass interference. The Trojans have accumulated 95 yards in penalties to the Bears’ 25 yards on three penalties.
Davis Webb has completed 19 of 32 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown, with an interception.
USC leads California, 35-17, in the third quarter
Darreus Rogers and Michael Pittman Jr. held their blocks, and Ronald Jones II rushed 37 yards for his second touchdown of the game.
USC leads California, 35-17, with 6:59 to play in the third quarter. The scoring drive covered 66 yards in five plays and took 2:11.
JuJu Smith-Schuster caught nine-yard and five-yard passes in the series.
Before breaking for the touchdown, Jones rushed for 15 yards in two carries. He has now rushed for 203 yards in 12 carries.
USC leads California, 28-17, in the third quarter
California isn’t going down quietly.
Davis Webb rushed one yard for a touchdown, and USC leads California, 28-17, with 9:15 remaining in the third quarter.
The scoring drive covered 71 yards in 10 plays and took 4:11.
Webb came out firing, completing five of six pass attempts in the series, including throws for 19 yards and 16 yards.
USC punts in first series after halftime
USC came out of the half, received the ball, Adoree’ Jackson returned it 34 yards and the rest of the series was rather forgettable.
But here’s how it went: Ronald Jones II rushed for two yards, Nico Falah false-started and backed them up, Jones caught a two-yard pass and Sam Darnold’s third-down pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster fell incomplete.
This feels like #Pac12AfterDark is around the corner.
USC’s halftime statistics are impressive
To say USC has been able to move the ball against California might be an understatement.
The Trojans have rushed for 260 yards, averaging 9.3 yards per carry, and they’ve passed for 191 yards, averaging 10.6 yards per throw.
That adds up to 451 yards of total offense in the first half.
USC has 21 first downs and is four-of-five on third down.
Ronald Jones II has rushed for 149 yards on eight carries. Aca’Cedric Ware has rushed for 86 yards on 11 carries.
Sam Darnold has completed 13 of 18 passes for 191 yards and four touchdowns, but has lost two fumbles.
USC leads California, 28-10, at halftime
Uchenna Nwosu forced Melquise Stovall to fumble and Ajene Harris recovered the football.
With 11 seconds remaining in the half, Sam Darnold completed a 25-yard pass to Darreus Rogers, who got out of bounds with six seconds remaining.
USC trotted out its field-goal unit, and California called a timeout. Then, USC botched the snap — but called a timeout with one second remaining. The Trojans went to kick again, and California called another timeout.
Finally, USC attempted a 48-yard field goal and it was no good.
That’s five minutes of our lives we’ll never get back.
USC leads California, 28-10, in the second quarter
Darreus Rogers’ highlight reel of catches should be pretty spectacular by the time he leaves USC.
Sam Darnold completed a 20-yard pass to a leaping Rogers, who made the catch for his second touchdown of the game.
USC leads California, 28-10, with 28 seconds to play in the second quarter. The scoring drive covered 72 yards in seven plays and took 1:16.
Aca’Cedric Ware rushed for 35 yards in three carries and Jalen Greene caught an 11-yard pass.
Before the offensive series, Adoree’ Jackson became USC’s all-time kickoff return yardage leader when he returned a kickoff 22 yards. He now has amassed 1,745 kickoff return yards.
USC leads California, 21-10, in the second quarter
Sam Darnold fumbled on a second consecutive drive, and California recovered and converted the turnover into three points on a 27-yard field goal.
USC leads the Bears, 21-10, with 1:54 to play in the second quarter.
The scoring drive covered 71 yards in nine plays and took 3:45.
Davis Webb started to connect with his receivers on the drive, completing passes for 23 yards, 24 yards and 32 yards.
We might be entering #Pac12AfterDark territory if the Trojans don’t eliminate these turnovers.
USC leads California, 21-7, in the second quarter
Sam Darnold stepped into his throw, was sacked and fumbled. California recovered and took it to USC’s 22-yard line.
Two plays later, Davis Webb completed a 22-yard pass to Tre Watson for a touchdown, and the Bears are on the board, though trailing, 21-7.
Rams backup quarterback — and former Cal quarterback — Jared Goff is on the sideline.
Adoree’ Jackson breaks up a third-down pass
Adoree’ Jackson broke up Davis Webb’s third-down pass, and California punted for a fourth time.
The Bears have just 95 yards of total offense to USC’s 274 yards, and seven first downs to the Trojans’ 13.
Webb has completed seven of 13 passes for 53 yards, with an interception.
USC leads California, 21-0, in the second quarter
Sam Darnold is good, and that might be an understatement.
Darnold completed a 13-yard pass to Deontay Burnett for a third Trojans touchdown and a 21-0 lead over California with 12:07 remaining in the second quarter.
The scoring drive covered 28 yards in five plays and took 2:10.
The drive started with another fantastic return by Adoree’ Jackson, who has lit the Bears up on special teams (despite a holding call earlier). Jackson returned the punt 32 yards to put the Trojans on California’s 28-yard line.
Later, Jalen Greene caught a nine-yard pass on third and seven to set up Darnold’s touchdown throw.
California’s offense is sputtering against USC
The struggle is real for California’s pass-happy offense tonight.
The Bears rushed for three yards before Davis Webb’s second-down pass fell incomplete and his third-down pass was caught a yard short of a first down.
Another three-and-out, and the Bears punted.
Marvell Tell III intercepts Davis Webb
Marvell Tell III intercepted Davis Webb at USC’s seven-yard line, but the Trojans were unable to convert the turnover into points.
Chris Tilbey punted for the first time.
Aca’Cedric Ware rushed for 23 yards and then five yards in consecutive carries, but the drive stalled after two incomplete passes.
The interception atoned for a facemask penalty called on Tell on the previous play, not to mention that teammate Stevie Tu’ikolovatu also was called for the same penalty a play earlier — gifting California 30 total yards because of penalties.
USC leads California, 14-0, in the first quarter
Ronald Jones II has already rushed for a season-high 96 yards against California, and there’s still 4:34 remaining in the first quarter.
Sam Darnold completed a 16-yard pass to Jones for a touchdown and USC leads California, 14-0.
The scoring drive covered 95 yards in nine plays and took 4:13.
California’s defense has stood no chance against the Trojans.
Jones has run all over them, and Darnold is 5-of-5 for 53 yards and two touchdowns. The redshirt freshman also rushed for 15 yards in one carry.
California wastes no time going three and out
It took USC 32 seconds to force California to a three-and-out.
Khalfani Muhammad rushed for two yards before Davis Webb’s next two passes fell incomplete.
Adoree’ Jackson fielded the punt and returned it 37 yards, but James Toland was called for holding — so Jackson’s return is recorded as one yard.
USC still starts from California’s five-yard line with the penalty enforced.
USC leads California, 7-0, in the first quarter
Hello, Ronald Jones II.
Jones found a hole, got a block and rushed for 61 yards before he was eventually pushed out of bounds on USC’s first play from scrimmage.
Seven plays later, Sam Darnold completed a three-yard pass to Darreus Rogers for a touchdown and the Trojans lead California, 7-0, with 9:34 to play in the first quarter.
The scoring drive covered 88 yards in eight plays and took 3:01.
Jones rushed for 66 yards in two carries. It could be a long night for Jones — and the California defense, which is the third-worst rushing defense in the nation.
California punts on first drive
California receiver Demetris Robertson let a deep pass slip through his fingertips and with it, a would-be Golden Bears touchdown.
Instead, California punted three plays later.
It was a nice defensive stand by USC after allowing two quick first downs on the drive.
Video: Pregame chat from the Coliseum before USC-California
USC announces starting lineups
USC announced its starting lineups.
Offense: Quarterback Sam Darnold, tailback Ronald Jones II, tight end Taylor McNamara, receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Darreus Rogers and Deontay Burnett, linemen Zach Banner, Viane Talamaivao, Nico Falah, Damien Mama and Chad Wheeler.
Defense: Linemen Malik Dorton, Stevie Tu’ikolovatu and Rasheem Green, linebackers Porter Gustin, Michael Hutchings, Cameron Smith and Uchenna Nwosu, cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson and Iman Marshall and safeties Leon McQuay III and Marvell Tell III.
Tailback Justin Davis is unlikely to play because of an ankle injury, and receiver Steven Mitchell Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury in a victory at Arizona.
Jackson remains an option for USC despite playing almost exclusively on defense
He’s just ridiculous. He can go out there any time and make his play.
— USC Coach Clay Helton
Adoree’ Jackson jogged past the line of scrimmage at USC’s practice on Monday, stopped and turned to face the defense.
Every so often, as if to serve as a reminder, the junior cornerback runs a few plays on offense during practice even though such opportunities have been scarce during games. This time, he blazed toward the corner of the end zone. The ball was lofted high and not quite far enough, so Jackson jumped, leaned over the defender’s helmet and plucked the ball out of the air.
“He’s just ridiculous,” Coach Clay Helton said. “He can go out there any time and make his play.”
Jackson’s offensive skills have apparently not deteriorated despite the disuse. Jackson didn’t play offense in USC’s first three games. In preparation for Utah, Helton began incorporating Jackson into the offense more often during practice as a way to spark a languishing unit. But even then, he only took one handoff for 11 yards against the Utes and hasn’t returned to that side of the ball since.
Clouds loom over the Coliseum with an hour until kickoff
USC and California are on the field warming up with clouds hovering overhead and a strong, eastward-blowing wind.
There’s been a very slight drizzle in the last few hours, and the forecast calls for rain perhaps later this evening.
The Trojans didn’t need to use water-bottle-soaked footballs at practice earlier this week when skies opened up for about 30 minutes during the workout.
In the rare case that the Los Angeles forecast for rain does hold up, it would be the first time in 12 seasons that the Trojans played in a soaked Coliseum. In other words, all this talk about rain likely means it won’t result in any.
USC vs. California: How they match up
Most intriguing story line: Fans should get good bang for their buck at this one: They’re likely to see plenty of plays. California set a Football Bowl Subdivision record with 118 plays in a two-overtime win over Oregon last week. The Golden Bears average 87 plays a game, the most in the nation, and their games usually devolve into shootouts. Will Thursday’s follow the pattern? The Trojans haven’t given up more than 27 points in a game since the season opener against Alabama. And they haven’t lost to California since 2003.
USC pass offense vs. California pass defense: Since Sam Darnold became the starting quarterback, USC’s offense has blossomed. It averaged only 5.6 yards per pass attempt in its first three games; since then, 9.2. Darnold will be breaking in a new slot receiver. A knee injury ended Steven Mitchell Jr.’s season, meaning Deontay Burnett will get the start. He has caught 23 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns this season. Eight California defenders have one interception this season, but none has multiple. EDGE: USC.
USC run offense vs. California run defense: With the game on the line, Utah had one play left: third-and-goal from the one-yard line. The Utes hadn’t learned an important lesson: Don’t run it at James Looney, Cal’s defensive tackle. It was Looney who stuffed Zack Moss to preserve the Bears’ win. Running in any other direction has yielded much better results. California is 126th, third-to-last nationally, in rush defense, giving up an average of 271 yards per game. Justin Davis is likely to be out again for USC. The Trojans replaced his production against Arizona with an effective trio: Ronald Jones II (77 yards in 16 carries), Aca’Cedric Ware (103 in 12) and Dominic Davis (89 in seven). EDGE: USC.
USC vows not to overlook California as it keeps an eye on Colorado and Utah
It’s getting down to the end in Pac-12 play. It’s the second half of the season. Every single game is pretty important. So we are paying attention to it pretty closely.
— Trojans linebacker Michael Hutchings
After a bye-week practice Saturday, USC Coach Clay Helton retreated to the football offices to work on the game plan for the Trojans’ next opponent, California.
Two potentially season-altering games were being played as he worked. Because of two early losses in Pac-12 Conference play, USC (4-3, 3-2 in the Pac-12) can’t win the South Division without help. Utah and Colorado are each ahead in the standings. And each were locked in tight games.
So Helton was monitoring. How closely?
“Want the truth?” Helton said. “Very closely. I was game-planning as well as having a couple TVs on. And cheering loud for their opponents.”