Trojans needed to pick it up, and T.J. McDonald complies

Intent on improving its conference-worst turnover margin, USC got a spark Saturday when safety T.J. McDonald intercepted passes on consecutive first-quarter possessions during the Trojans’ 48-41 victory over Arizona.

USC came into the game with only one interception, none in its previous three games.

McDonald became the first player this year to pick off Wildcats quarterback Nick Foles, who had thrown 210 passes without an interception dating to last season.

“I told you they were going to come in bunches, and they came early,” McDonald said. “I just took advantage of the chances that I had.”

McDonald’s first interception set up a field goal that gave USC a 10-0 lead. “I owe that to [linebacker] Hayes Pullard,” McDonald said. “He walled off the No. 2 receiver and [Foles] overthrew the pass.”

McDonald’s second interception set up a touchdown pass from Matt Barkley to Marqise Lee.

In good company

Barkley eclipsed Carson Palmer’s single-game record of 448 yards passing that was set against Oregon in 2002.

“It’s crazy to think about because I grew up looking up to Carson Palmer — he’s one of my heroes,” Barkley said. “To be on the list is pretty cool.”

Barkley has passed for 1,587 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, with four interceptions.

The other QB

On almost any other day, Foles would have been the story. He completed 41 of 53 passes for 425 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions.

Afterward, Foles couldn’t overlook his first-half mistakes that helped the Trojans take a big early lead. “I made a couple of bad decisions that ended up in two interceptions,” he said. “Then we came together.”

Big run

USC tailback Curtis McNeal gained 74 yards, scored a touchdown and produced USC’s key rushing play of the game. Arizona had pulled to within 41-34 early in the fourth quarter when McNeal broke off tackle and then to the left sideline for a 44-yard gain.

“The o-line did a perfect job of blocking, opened the hole and I just hit it,” he said.

McNeal finished the drive with his first career touchdown on a nine-yard run that provided the Trojans with their final points.

Over the line

USC Coach Lane Kiffin was penalized for sideline interference in the second quarter, and he was not contrite after the game.

“I guess I came on the field by a couple feet while the ball was down at the 10-yard line,” he said, and then continued sarcastically, “I know [Arizona Coach Mike] Stoops does a great job. If you guys watch the game, he never comes on the field. . . .”

Kiffin said he had talked to the officials about Stoops “standing out on the numbers. And I go out one foot and get a penalty. But it doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t have gone one foot out on the field when the ball is on the 10-yard line, 35 yards away from me. It won’t happen again. It really affected the play a lot.”

Stoops also was penalized for sideline interference.

gary.klein@latimes.com

ben.bolch@latimes.com

twitter.com/latimesklein