Click here for the recap and final stats.
Click here for the post-game press conference.
Stunner
A week after completing the first Hail Mary in modern USC history, the Trojans were burned by the same play in the final seconds. Senior TE Randall Telfer described a "stunned, sick feeling" after seeing ASU WR Jaelen Strong snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat for the visiting Sun Devils. The Trojans were conflicted defensively having to stop a potential sideline route and the end zone. "We got a little confused. Some guys were on different pages," said safety Gerald Bowman. "We have to finish. That's the number one thing."Two Games
For 57 minutes, the Trojans did enough to be in a winning position, but back-to-back defensive mishaps will be the lasting memory from a lost night at the Coliseum. "You've got to play every minute and play until the last second, and unfortunately, Arizona State came up with a big play and I commend them for that," said Telfer. The Sun Devils actually came up with two big plays. On the previous possession, Cameron Smith caught a 73-yard touchdown pass, which took only 14 seconds and kept hope alive for ASU. "In the end, it's the old adage, that's why you play 60 minutes," said head coach Steve Sarkisian.
The First 57 on D
As for the first 57 minutes, the USC defense held the Pac-12's top rushing attack to 31 yards for the game. "During the week, we felt like we were challenged," said Bowman. "We wanted to make sure that the guys up front played physical, make sure they stopped the run game, and for the most part, that's what they did." The Trojans never found a real match for Strong, who had 10 catches for 202 yards and 3 TDs.
The First 57 on O
The offense was in balance again with 220 yards rushing and 273 yards passing. Buck Allen has topped 100 all-purpose yards in every game this season, and he was tremendous again tonight with 143 yards rushing and 86 yards receiving. Cody Kessler showed a lot of guts using his legs, while Justin Davis (14 carries for 67 yards) and Nelson Agholor (9 catches for 85 yards plus a punt return TD) were two more positives. On the negative side, the Trojans settled for two field goals in four red zone trips. "In our mind, field goals won't cut it, and it was kind of apparent in this game," said Telfer.
Now What
The Trojans are down but not out. "We'll dwell on it for a little while, but after that, we have to get back to preparing for Arizona," said Telfer. USC can get back in the Pac-12 South driver's seat with a win against undefeated Arizona in Tucson next Saturday. "We will bounce back," said Sarkisian. "We will fight back. And, we will play a tremendous game next Saturday night."
Wild Year
Every Pac-12 team save for Arizona has a conference loss and the season is still in the early stages. The Pac-12 is not alone in the carnage as 11 of the Top 25 lost this week. While the situation seemed devastating walking off the Coliseum field tonight, there is still a lot of football to be played. "It leaves us with one loss in conference play. It leaves us stinging with a sick feeling in our gut. It leaves us with a chance to show who we are," Sarkisian summed it up.
Here are the USC highlights from tonight...
