USC-UCLA / GAME REPORT

1st QUARTER

UCLA 14

USC 7

THE SCORING: * UCLA 7, USC 0: Anderson, fumble recovery in end zone at 14:40. PAT--Griffith (kick).

* USC 7, UCLA 7: Harris, 8-yard pass from Palmer at 10:50. 80-yard drive, 11 plays. PAT--Bell (kick).

* UCLA 14, USC 7: Poli-Dixon, 45-yard pass from Mitchell at 9:15. 67-yard, four plays. PAT--Griffith (kick).

TURNING POINT: It came on the opening kickoff, a disastrous start for the Trojans. USC’s Frank Strong returned the kickoff to the USC 32, but two penalties resulted in the Trojans getting the ball on their own three. On the first play from scrimmage, UCLA’s Tony White forced a fumble by USC’s Chad Pierson and Marques Anderson recovered in the end zone for a UCLA touchdown. It was the first time this season the Bruins have scored first.

NOT IN THE SUMMARY: UCLA Coach Bob Toledo used a trick play to score the Bruins’ second touchdown. The Bruins had a first down at the USC 45. Quarterback Cory Paus pretended to be calling an audible and moved to the right. The ball was snapped directly to Freddie Mitchell in the backfield, and he had lots of time to complete the touchdown pass to Brian Poli-Dixon.

STAT WATCH: Mitchell has thrown six passes in his UCLA career and completed five, four for touchdowns.

2nd QUARTER

UCLA 21

USC 21

THE SCORING: * USC 14, UCLA 14: McCullough, 6-yard run at 13:46. 78-yard drive, 10 plays. PAT--Bell (kick).

* UCLA 21, USC 14: Ieremia-Stansbury, 4-yard pass from Paus at 2:01. PAT--Griffith (kick).

* USC 21, UCLA 21: Kelly, 39-yard pass from Palmer at 0:24. PAT: Bell (kick).

TURNING POINT: After Carson Palmer was sacked for a 13-yard loss and Sultan McCullough gained only four yards on the next play, a personal-foul penalty against UCLA gave the Trojans a first down on their own 32. Then on third and 12 from the 30, Malaefou MacKenzie broke loose for 21 yards to the UCLA 49. Palmer threw the touchdown pass to Kareem Kelly two plays later and the score was tied at halftime.

STAT WATCH: The Bruins had only 18 yards rushing in the first half, all by DeShaun Foster, who had nine carries. The Bruins managed only four first downs.

3rd QUARTER

UCLA 28

USC 28

THE SCORING: * UCLA 28, USC 21: Mitchell, 4-yard pass from Paus at 8:33. 64-yard drive, 13 plays. PAT--Griffith (kick).

* USC 28, UCLA 28: Colbert, 12-yard pass from Palmer at 2:56. 71-yard drive, 10 plays. PAT--Bell (kick).

TURNING POINT: The Trojans were facing a third and 11 at their own 47 when Palmer completed a pass to Antoine Harris for 35 yards to the UCLA 12. Palmer passed to Keary Colbert two plays later for the tying touchdown.

NOT IN THE SUMMARY: On the Bruins’ scoring drive, they lined up to try a field goal from the 21. It was a fake, and holder Drew Bennett ran 13 yards for the first down at the eight. Paus passed to Mitchell for the touchdown two plays later.

STAT WATCH: Foster gained only nine yards in six carries in the third quarter, and the Bruins had only 49 yards rushing and eight first downs through three quarters. The Trojans had 148 rushing yards, 20 first downs and held an advantage in passing yards, 379 to 221, through three quarters.

4th QUARTER

USC 38

UCLA 35

THE SCORING: * USC 35, UCLA 28: Stevenson, 57-yard pass from Palmer at 3:58. 75-yard drive, five plays. PAT--Bell (kick).

* USC 35, UCLA 35: Paus, 1-yard run at 1:05. 75-yard drive, nine plays. PAT--Griffith (kick).

* USC 38, UCLA 35: Bell, 36-yard field goal at :09.

TURNING POINT: On the drive for the winning field goal, the Trojans started at their 35 after the kickoff went out of bounds. MacKenzie ran 13 yards, Kareem Kelly caught a pass for 12 yards, and a holding penalty against UCLA held get USC in position.

NOT IN THE SUMMARY: Mitchell made a sensational catch for the Bruins for a 51-yard gain to give the Bruins a first down at the 25. A personal foul penalty against USC on third down gave UCLA a first down at the 10, and Paus scored on fourth and goal from the one.

STAT WATCH: The Trojans finished with 557 yards, the Bruins 328 (only 85 rushing). The Trojans converted nine of 14 third downs, the Bruins only four of 12.