Soward’s Returns Bring Back Memories of Anthony Davis

Freshman R. Jay Soward’s 78-yard kickoff return to open the second half was his second in two games.

It was the first time USC has had two kickoff returns for touchdowns in a season since Anthony Davis did it three times in 1974.

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Junior tailback Delon Washington registered perhaps his best game since his 109-yard debut against Washington in 1994.

Washington not only scored the winning touchdown, a 17-yard burst up the middle with 2:05 to go, but led the Trojans on their last two scoring drives.

Washington had a 13-yard run to open the drive that gave USC a brief 23-17 lead with 14:02 left, then had a 12-yarder to set up USC at the Cougar 20. He later reached the Washington State two, from where Shawn Walters scored on a dive.

He then had four key gains on USC’s last drive, before he scored the winning touchdown.

He finished with 99 yards in 21 carries, most of them for key short-yardage gains in the final two drives.

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USC finally got on the better side of a statistic the Trojans have been losing most of the season--time of possession.

Going into Saturday’s game against Washington State, USC had led its opponent in time of possession only twice in seven games. Saturday, thanks in large part to Washington holding together the last two scoring drives, USC had the ball 31 minutes 32 seconds to 28:28 for the Cougars.