University Southern California Trojans
USC, Arizona Football Squads Renew Rivalry
October 05, 1999 | Football
Oct. 5, 1999
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Two Pac-10 teams renew their rivalry as they meet for the first time since the 1996 season when the USC Trojans visit the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday.
The 22nd-ranked Trojans (3-1, 1-1 Pac-10) suffered a triple-overtime setback at Oregon in its Pac-10 opener two weeks ago, but bounced back last week against underdog Oregon State.
The Trojans took a 30-point lead into the fourth quarter against the Beavers, but had to hold off a stout OSU rally for a 37-29 win.
Junior quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst, back as the starter because Carson Palmer went out with a broken collarbone against Oregon a week earlier, was 17-for-31 for 197 yards against the Beavers.
Linebacker Zeke Moreno led the Trojans with 11 tackles, one sack and two touchdowns. Moreno returned a fumble recovery 17 yards for one touchdown, and ran an interception back 71 yards for another.
R. Jay Soward had an 85-yard punt return for the Trojans 4:22 into the game, and Chad Morton, who rushed for 153 yards on 27 carries, added touchdown runs of 2 and 15 yards.
But what happened in the fourth quarter on Saturday has even Trojans head coach Paul Hackett perplexed.
"What happened when it was 37-7 was a mystery to me," Hackett said. "You've got to give Oregon State credit. But now we are 3-1 going to Arizona and the conference is anyone's for the taking."
The Trojans, whose defense leads the Pac-10 in every statistical category, will face an Arizona team that was favored to win the conference heading into this season.
The Wildcats, who are coming off a bye week, were ranked as high as No. 4 in the preseason. But after a crushing 50-22 loss to Stanford in their conference opener on Sept. 18, their nationally ranking is a distant memory.
Arizona rebounded from the loss to Stanford with a 30-24 win over Washington State a week later.
Bobby Wade caught a game-winning Hail Mary pass from quarterback Keith Smith with 5 seconds left to lift the Wildcats to victory over the winless Cougars.
"I just tried to throw a nice, high ball to give the receivers time to get down the field underneath it," said Smith, who completed 12 of 25 passes for 190 yards.
Trung Canidate rushed 34 times for 158 yards and three touchdowns to lead Arizona. Wildcats kicker Mark McDonald missed four field goals in the game, and all six of his attempts this season.
USC holds a 19-4 lead in its series with Arizona, with seven of the last 14 games having been decided by seven points or less.
The teams have not played the past two years because of the Pac-10 scheduling rotation.
Their last meeting came in 1996 in Los Angeles, with the Trojans winning 14-7.
