University Southern California Trojans
Photo by: John McGillen
6-Points: USC 49, Arizona 35
November 05, 2017 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans are riding a 15-game home winning streak, the second longest active streak in the nation.
The Trojans are one victory away from clinching the Pac-12 South title after holding off Arizona in the Coliseum.
Click here for the game recap and final stats.
Pac-12 After Dark
Halfway through the third quarter, USC appeared destined for a straightforward victory, leading Arizona, 28-6. From that point, the flags started flying, the reviews piled up and the Cats came to life as the Trojans sagged. Eventually, Arizona tied the game at 35-35 with 8:23 remaining. "We said this wasn't going to be easy," head coach Clay Helton relayed the message that he told his team on the sideline. "If we wanted to be champions, we were going to have to earn it." The offense clicked back in, putting together a pair of touchdown drives sandwiched around an Ajene Harris interception. "We started to let our guard down a little bit, and they started to make a comeback," said RB Ronald Jones II. "They are a good team and they are going to keep fighting and they did. So, we had to put our foot on the pedal again and just finish it up."
Record-Setting RoJo
Jones surpassed the 1,000-yard mark after 197 yards on the ground to go along with three touchdowns. "They came out dominating from the get go," Jones credited his blockers. "We just tried to keep running with that. The offensive line came with it today." The junior is now the first USC rusher to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons since LenDale White. "It's great to be in Hall of Fame company like he is."
Two from Texas
With Vavae Malepeai out and Stephen Carr working his way back in, Aca'Cedric Ware seized his chance to be RoJo's running mate. "I had a certain drive tonight. I've been held back the whole time," Ware said. "Once I got my opportunity, I had to show up and that's what happened." The junior ran for 122 yards, the third 100-yard game of his career, on only 14 carries (8.7 yards per carry) and a touchdown. "He's been working all year for this," Jones said about his fellow Texan. "It's finally good to see him out there eating."
Marathon Man
The USC defense completely stifled Arizona QB Khalil Tate in the first half, holding the impressive sophomore to 20 yards rushing on 1.7 yards per carry. "We came in with a great game plan," said Helton about the first half execution of Clancy Pendergast's defense. But while the never-ending third quarter sucked the life out of the building and the Trojans, Tate was irrepressible and seemingly unstoppable. "He's a great competitor and a great athlete. When he's out in space, you don't realize how fast he is. He is truly a running back that can throw," praised Helton, who gave Tate a lengthy embrace after the game. Despite exploding in the second half, the Trojans held the Wildcats to 380 yards of offense, 142.9 yards below their season average.
Island Living
The USC secondary spent the entire game in one-on-one coverage with little help. "We basically played 'Cover Zero' all night and that was to try to stop the running game," Helton explained. "If you're going to beat us, you're going to beat us throwing the ball." Tate could not do it, completing 14/31 for 146 yards. In the end, Harris and LB John Houston Jr. put the game away with interceptions. "We just had to keep him inside the pocket, try to contain him and make him throw the ball," said LB Jordan Iosefa.
Boulder Bound
With the win, the Trojans now have one foot in the Pac-12 Championship Game (December 1 in Santa Clara). They have to beat either Colorado or UCLA to clinch the division. "It's a huge game," said Helton about this week's trip to CU. "We've got a chance to be Pac-12 South champions next week." USC has not won the conference crown since 2008, and the Trojans have only won the South twice since the league expanded in 2011.
Click here for the game recap and final stats.
Pac-12 After DarkHalfway through the third quarter, USC appeared destined for a straightforward victory, leading Arizona, 28-6. From that point, the flags started flying, the reviews piled up and the Cats came to life as the Trojans sagged. Eventually, Arizona tied the game at 35-35 with 8:23 remaining. "We said this wasn't going to be easy," head coach Clay Helton relayed the message that he told his team on the sideline. "If we wanted to be champions, we were going to have to earn it." The offense clicked back in, putting together a pair of touchdown drives sandwiched around an Ajene Harris interception. "We started to let our guard down a little bit, and they started to make a comeback," said RB Ronald Jones II. "They are a good team and they are going to keep fighting and they did. So, we had to put our foot on the pedal again and just finish it up."
Record-Setting RoJo
Jones surpassed the 1,000-yard mark after 197 yards on the ground to go along with three touchdowns. "They came out dominating from the get go," Jones credited his blockers. "We just tried to keep running with that. The offensive line came with it today." The junior is now the first USC rusher to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons since LenDale White. "It's great to be in Hall of Fame company like he is."
Two from Texas
With Vavae Malepeai out and Stephen Carr working his way back in, Aca'Cedric Ware seized his chance to be RoJo's running mate. "I had a certain drive tonight. I've been held back the whole time," Ware said. "Once I got my opportunity, I had to show up and that's what happened." The junior ran for 122 yards, the third 100-yard game of his career, on only 14 carries (8.7 yards per carry) and a touchdown. "He's been working all year for this," Jones said about his fellow Texan. "It's finally good to see him out there eating."
Marathon Man
The USC defense completely stifled Arizona QB Khalil Tate in the first half, holding the impressive sophomore to 20 yards rushing on 1.7 yards per carry. "We came in with a great game plan," said Helton about the first half execution of Clancy Pendergast's defense. But while the never-ending third quarter sucked the life out of the building and the Trojans, Tate was irrepressible and seemingly unstoppable. "He's a great competitor and a great athlete. When he's out in space, you don't realize how fast he is. He is truly a running back that can throw," praised Helton, who gave Tate a lengthy embrace after the game. Despite exploding in the second half, the Trojans held the Wildcats to 380 yards of offense, 142.9 yards below their season average.
Island Living
The USC secondary spent the entire game in one-on-one coverage with little help. "We basically played 'Cover Zero' all night and that was to try to stop the running game," Helton explained. "If you're going to beat us, you're going to beat us throwing the ball." Tate could not do it, completing 14/31 for 146 yards. In the end, Harris and LB John Houston Jr. put the game away with interceptions. "We just had to keep him inside the pocket, try to contain him and make him throw the ball," said LB Jordan Iosefa.
Boulder Bound
With the win, the Trojans now have one foot in the Pac-12 Championship Game (December 1 in Santa Clara). They have to beat either Colorado or UCLA to clinch the division. "It's a huge game," said Helton about this week's trip to CU. "We've got a chance to be Pac-12 South champions next week." USC has not won the conference crown since 2008, and the Trojans have only won the South twice since the league expanded in 2011.
Players Mentioned
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