Visual Recap: USC vs. ASU

Sorry for the cliché, but USC's season opener against ASU was peak 2020.

It began early in the morning with rain, a bewildering sight nary seen in LA over the past six months.

It seesawed between highs, lows and crazy moments.

In the end, it told a story of perseverance, as the Trojans stormed back from 13 points down in the fourth quarter to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat.

The teams traded scores — and turnovers — throughout the first half.

Running backs Stephen Carr and Markese Stepp punched in two short touchdowns for USC.

ASU led at halftime, 17-14, and took it to the Trojans in the second half. Early in the fourth quarter, ASU kicked a field goal to make it a 27-14 game. The Trojans looked done for.

"I tried to stay positive. When it was 27-14, I was going up and down the sideline saying, ‘Guys, I’m looking at it right now, you’re going to win the game 28-27’. It’s going to take two scores. We’re going to have to treat it like a two-minute drive."

- USC head coach Clay Helton

The Trojans made it happen.

With just 2:52 left in the game, QB Kedon Slovis set up on 4th and 13 and launched a ball into the end zone. Amon-Ra St. Brown tipped it into the air and Bru McCoy came down with it for his first touchdown catch as a Trojan.

Another Trojan making his debut, true freshman kicker Parker Lewis, then attempted an onside kick, which USC miraculously recovered.

The team marched down the field, and on 4th and 9 with 1:20 left in the game, Slovis played hero with a 21-yard touchdown strike on the money to Drake London.

That put the Trojans up 28-27 and capped off an 8-catch, 125-yard day for London.

Yo @DrakeLondon_ is nice! ??? I see that dog ??
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) November 7, 2020

DRAKE LONDON!!!!!!
— MPJ (@MikePitt_Jr) November 7, 2020

Wow ?? @Kedonslovis what a throw!! ????? @USC_FB
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) November 7, 2020

USC's defense had trouble containing ASU QB Jayden Daniels all day, but they got the stop they needed on the ensuing drive, forcing four straight incompletions and a turnover on downs.

USC's 13-point comeback was its largest fourth-quarter comeback since the 2017 Rose Bowl vs. Penn State, when the Trojans overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit.