five key moments

1. With the final two minutes of the first half ticking down, Washington State quarterback Steve Birnbaum throws to freshman slotback Collin Henderson behind the line of scrimmage and Henderson, with pressure closing, throws off his back foot to wide-open Marcus Williams in front of the goal line, and Williams jogs in to score as the Cougars cut USC’s 10-point lead to 17-14 at halftime.

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2. On the opening drive of the second half, USC quarterback John Fox breaks free on second and two for a 37-yard ramble to the Washington 35-yard line. It is the longest run from scrimmage by a Trojan this season--including running backs--and it helps sustain a 92-yard scoring drive as USC retakes a 10-point lead.

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3. Only a minute later, with USC’s Zeke Moreno and Antuan Simmons closing in on Birnbaum as he tries to pass from his own end zone, the Washington State quarterback desperately flings the ball and USC cornerback Kris Richard intercepts the pass and returns it for a touchdown and a 31-14 USC lead.

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4. Washington State drives to the USC six-yard line in the fourth quarter--and comes away with no points after the Trojans shut down the Cougars for seven consecutive plays. Washington State gets an extra four plays after a pass interference penalty gives the Cougars a first down at the two, but USC stuffs them again, including a fourth-down stop from the one.

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5. But it ain’t over ‘til it’s over, with Washington State getting three final futile attempts, trailing by three in the final 13 seconds--including one with no time left after a pass interference call against USC’s Darrell Rideaux on a Hail Mary attempt.