Click here for the recap and final stats.
Click here for the post-game press conference.
Run Ronald RunIt was coming. Head coach Clay Helton told anyone who would listen that Ronald Jones II was ready to blow. The "ticking time bomb" finally went off as Jones ran for a career-high 223 yards on 18 carries. He accounted for one score on the ground, a 37-yard dash to the end zone, and another through the air, coasting in untouched on a 16-yard screen play. "He had a heckuva game," said RB Aca'Cedric Ware about his buddy. "He balled. I'm proud of that guy."
Run Everybody Run
Jones was not alone. Ware added a career-high 130 rush yards as part of a 398-yard day on the ground, the Trojans biggest since UCLA in 2005. "Between [Jones] and Ced and the offensive line, I can't say enough about them," said Helton. "They won the game." Ware was quick to credit the big boys up front. "I love those guys. They continue to work hard and get better. And we continue to get better as a team. We're something special." The USC offensive line not only overpowered the Bears, but they outschemed them as well. "We saw a lot of weaknesses on their wide zone, which we did a lot of," said center Nico Falah. "You could notice me pulling a lot, which we worked on a lot during practice, and it worked out today."
3rd Down Wins
The USC defense limited Cal to 20 points below its season average. "To hold that team to 24 points is an amazing effort because that is maybe the best quarterback that we may face the whole year," said Helton. The head coach pointed to third down efficiency as the key. The Trojans stopped the Bears short of the chains 9 times in 12 tries. In one clutch sequence, backup CB Ajene Harris forced incompletions on third down and fourth down. "I just came out here prepared...and ready to make plays when my number was called," said Harris who was credited with two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. "[Jonathan] Lockett went down early, so I had to step up and make plays for this team like I know I can."
High Five
Oh by the way, Sam Darnold became the first USC QB to throw five touchdown passes in back-to-back games, giving him 10 over the last two which ties Matt Barkley's school record (Barkley did 6 + 4 twice). The redshirt freshman was efficient once again, completing 18/25 for 231 yards. He distributed the ball to six different receivers, four of whom caught touchdowns, led by senior Darreus Rogers (6 receptions for 97 yards and 2 TD). While the running game was the story, Helton loves the "great balance" that Tee Martin has developed with this offense. The Trojans have amassed 500+ yards of offense in four consecutive games.
Dirty Words
On a night like tonight, the only team that could stop USC was USC. "You look up and we got 45 points, but I really felt like we left points out there because of the penalties and the turnovers," said Helton. "Those are going to be things that could cost you down the stretch when we are playing this playoff football." The Trojans committed three turnovers, which led to 10 Cal points. They also hurt themselves by committing 13 penalties for 125 yards.
No Mercy
Nevertheless, the Trojans are officially rolling, completing a perfect 4-0 October. USC's offense is putting up yardage totals that hearken back to the glory days. The Trojans totaled 459 yards in the first half, the team's best half since 2005. In the end, USC posted its first 600-yard game against a Pac-12 opponent since Oregon in 2012. Speaking of the Ducks, they are up next (Saturday, November 5 at the Coliseum). The Trojans are filled with confidence, knowing that if they keep working hard, victories will continue to pile up. "We're going to make it happen again," said Ware. "We're going to shine again."
Here are all the highlights from a dominant display on Thursday night football:
