LOS ANGELES, CA – After a history of losing close games this season; the USC Trojans knew they needed a fast start against the University of California to avoid such a catastrophe again.
The Trojans did exactly that on ESPN’s Thursday Night College Football as they jumped out to a 21-2 first quarter lead and never looked back. Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns as USC defeated Cal 38-30 in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Nelson Agholor caught two TD passes en route to 16 catches for 214 yards. Agholor became the first Trojan ever to have consecutive 200 yard receiving games.
“He’s one of the best receivers in the country, if not the best,” said Kessler after the game. “You hear about guys in the SEC like Amare Cooper. In my opinion and I’m not being biased, he’s right there with him.”
Trojans running back, Javorius “Buck” Allen’s streak of six consecutive games with at least 100 yards rushing, came to an end as the Maxwell award finalist was held to just 49 yards on the ground.
USC looked fresh and aggressive coming off a bye week as they took the opening kick off all the way down the field for a 14 play, 85 yard drive that was capped off by a great TD catch by Agholor. Kessler threaded the needle to find his favorite target and the Trojans were off and running.
“When you practice really well, and practice really hard, the results show up on game day,” said USC Head Coach Steve Sarkisian. “This guy (Nelson Agholor) practices his tail off every time we go out. Work ethic pays off. Hard work pays off. Good things come to those who work their asses off.”
After a three and out, the Trojans got the ball back, and dialed up a deep passing play to speedy junior receiver, George Farmer. Farmer, a former 100-meter track and field champion in high school, beat his man deep for a 32-yard TD pass.
Cal’s only highlight of the first half was a defensive tackle on Trojans running back, Justin Davis, in the USC end zone that led to a safety. Cal would add a second touchdown before the half and the Trojans went into the locker room with a 31-9 lead.
The Golden Bears got on the board first in the second half following a Daniel Lasco five-yard rushing touchdown. It was Lasco’s first touchdown of the game, and it brought the University of California within two touchdowns of the Trojans.
California quarterback Jared Goff was held in check for a majority of the game as he finished 29 for 46 with 279 yards and three touchdowns. Lasco finished with just 86 yards rushing and the Golden Bears offense was now much for the well rested and speedy Trojans defense.
“The scheme they were running defensively was really good tonight,” added Goff after the game.
The Trojans now look ahead to next Saturday’s rivalry game when they face crosstown Pac-12 powerhouse, UCLA at the Rose Bowl. The #11 ranked Bruins have won the past two straight games against the Trojans an Coach Sarkisian knows that one of the biggest rivals in College Football is a must-win game for the men of Troy if they want any chance of winning the Pac-12 south division.
“It’s bigger than just playing UCLA, this is for first place in our conference,” said Sarkisian.
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