Week-1 it was seven TD’s in a row for USC aided by three pick sixes against Rice. This past week the theme continued as they put up five in row with Stanford contributing two interceptions and a fumble. By the end of the 1st Qtr it was 21-7 and 35-14 by the end of the half. Other than a couple of field goals in the 2nd half the Trojan’s wouldn’t score again. But even with Stanford trying to mount a comeback in the 4th with two TD’s the game was already out of reach and USC starts the season off perfectly with a 41-28 victory in Palo Alto—almost a mirror image of last year’s 42-28 loss to the Cardinal at the coliseum.
USC’s Sophomore QB Caleb Williams had anoher field day connecting on 20-of-27 for 341 yards, 4 TD’s, and no interceptions with 172 yards and 2 of those scores collected by Jr. WR Jordan Addison. Senior RB Travis Dye carried most of the load on the ground for the Trojans, rushing 14 times for 105 yards and 1 TD. On the other side of the ball Stanford Junior QB Tanner McKee connected on 20-of-35 for 220 yards, 1 TD, but 2 interceptions—both leading to USC scores. In a stat that the USC defensive coaches might want to address the Cardinal rushed 45 times for 221 yards and three TD’s.
USC goes back home to take on Fresno State next Saturday while Stanford will take a week off to prepare for their matchup against Washington on the road in Alaska Airlines Husky Stadium on Saturday, September 24th.