USC Vs. Utah Interception Return: Great Moments In Gambling History

USC-Utah Score Revised By Pac-12 To 23-14, Torin Harris Gets His Touchdown

At the end of the game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes, Utah was lining up for a game-tying 41 yard field goal for kicker Coleman Petersen, but starting left tackle Matt Kalil (who apparently has been brainwashed by special teams coach John Baxter to try and play all parts of the field) registered his first blocked kick, and allowed Torin Harris to scoop it up and return it for what appeared to be a touchdown.

However, USC players rushed the field from the sideline before the play was over, and the Pac-12 officials mysteriously called the Trojans for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty--even though those celebration penalties are only supposed to be assessed to the person who scored the touchdown. The Pac-12 office and USC both worked together to overrule the decision, and give Harris a touchdown he richly deserved.

And yes, if you're in Vegas, it means good things for you too.

For more on USC football, head to Conquest Chronicles. For more on Utah football, head to Block U.

USC Vs. Utah: Trojans Defense Holds In 17-14 Win Over Utes

For the second straight week, the USC Trojans escaped with a close win, this time a 17-14 win over the Utah Utes Saturday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, in the first ever college football game in the Pac-12 conference. The Utes lined up for what would have been a game-tying field goal with 11 second left, but it was blocked.

Torin Harris returned the block for a touchdown, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the USC sideline for running onto the field nullified the final touchdown, which would have allowed the Trojans to cover the nine-point spread.

Running back Marc Tyler, who was reinstated from suspension this week, ran for 113 yards on 24 carries with one touchdown for the Trojans, who improved to 2-0 on the season, and now 1-0 in the Pac-12.

Utah got the ball with 1:01 remaining in the game with no timeouts, down three points. The Utes advanced the ball to the 39-yard line with 20 seconds remaining, but a poor spot after a fourth down pass reception left Utah just short of a first down. The play was reviewed and the ensuing spot resulted in a first down.

The Trojans had three turnovers in the game, including two inside the red zone in the second quarter alone as USC was trying to build on their 10-0 lead. The Utes scored their 14 points off two of those turnovers.

The USC defense gave up one big run, a 51-yard run on a reverse by Reggie Dunn which led to the Utes' only second-half touchdown. But other than that, the Trojans' defense made life hell on Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn in the second half. They sacked Wynn twice for a total of 28 yards lost, and held him to just 9-for-23 passing in the second half.

Penalties also hurt the Trojans, including three times in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Matt Barkley passed to freshman wide receiver Marqise Lee for a 32-yard gain on third down with 11:21 remaining, but it was wiped out by a penalty for an ineligible man down field. Then, with 5:25 left in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Brandon Carswell was called for a block below the knees on a quarterback sneak attempt. What would have been fourth and inches from the Utah 27-yard line became third and 15 from the 42-yard line, and an incomplete pass by Barkley forced USC to punt.

Barkley completed 20 of 32 passes for 263 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Robert Woods, who caught a school-record 17 passes last week, was double covered by Utah for most of the game but still ended with eight grabs for 102 yards.

Freshman offensive lineman Aundrey Walker played on the field goal team for the Trojans on Saturday, his first action of the season. That means Walker can't redshirt this season unless he gets injured. USC hosts the Syracuse Orange next Saturday in Los Angeles.

For more news on USC football and tonight's game, check in with the group at Conquest Chronicles.

USC Vs. Utah Game Score: Xavier Grimble Has Touchdown, Fumble In 3rd Quarter, Trojans Lead 17-14

Freshman tight end Xavier Grimble had quite an eventful third quarter, as the USC Trojans lead the Utah Utes 17-14 after three quarters at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Grimble helped widen the lead with a nine-yard touchdown catch early in the quarter, but he also fumbled at midfield which led to a touchdown for Utah.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley completed eight of 10 passes in the quarter for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Utah had all the momentum to end the first half, cutting the USC lead to 10-7, then received the kickoff to open the third quarter. However, the Trojans were able to shutdown the Utes on three plays, forcing them to punt.

After the Trojans started the ensuing drive on their own 12 yard line, Barkley threw down the middle to Grimble for a 36-yard gain to completely change the field position. Grimble caught three passes for 57 yards on the drive, including the touchdown, and highlighted some tremendous production by the USC freshmen in Saturday night's contest:

• TE Grimble has five catches for 65 yards and one touchdown (and a fumble)
  
• WR Marqise Lee has two catches for 34 yards
• TE Randall Telfer caught two balls for 28 yards
• RB D.J. Morgan ran for 27 yards on eight carries

That's 154 of USC's 365 yards, 42.2% of the total, from freshmen tonight.

The Trojans have had a pair of great open field tackles during the game. One in the first half was a tackle by safety T.J McDonald just shy of the first down marker on a third down play. The other was by linebacker Dion Bailey, as he stopped Ryan Lacy on a run on a fake punt.

After Grimble's fumble, Los Angels native Ryan Dunn ran 51 yards on a reverse, down to the USC one-yard line, and John White IV punched it into the end zone on the next play to cut the USC lead to 17-14.

For more USC football news and notes, check in with the group at Conquest Chronicles.

USC Football: Pat Haden On Norm Chow

The USC Trojans lead the Utah Utes 10-7 at halftime at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the first-ever college football game in the Pac-12 Conference.

At halftime, USC athletic director Pat Haden was a guest on the Versus halftime show, and was asked about new Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow, whom Haden once called the best offensive mind in college football. Haden's response had a bit of a shot at UCLA, Chow's last stop before Utah:

I've had incredible respect for Norm Chow for a long, long time. I just thought what he did here at USC in that incredible run during Pete Carroll's era, he had guys running so wide open, and I've never seen anything like it. But then again, USC had some awfully good players in those days, and where he's gone since he probably hasn't had that talent level. Great players make great coaching as you know.

For more USC football news and notes, check in with the group at Conquest Chronicles.

USC Vs. Utah: Two Red Zone Turnovers Trim Trojans Lead To 10-7 At Halftime

Two turnovers in the red zone hurt the USC Trojans in the second quarter, as they saw their lead over the Utah Utes trimmed to 10-7 at halftime at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, in the first ever college football game in the Pac-12 Conference.

Ryan Lacy intercepted Matt Barkley on the Utes' 15-yard line as the Trojans were driving looking to add to their 10-point lead. On their next drive, USC drove to the Utah 12-yard line, but D.J. Morgan coughed the ball up on a first-down run.

Barkley nearly threw interceptions twice earlier in the first half, and like the interception all were on throws to fullback Rhett Ellison. One pass in the first quarter was a sure touchdown for Utah had the ball been caught, but that wasn't really Barkley's fault, because Ellison didn't turn his head to realize the ball was headed in his direction. Another throw to Ellison, this one thrown across the field by Barkley, simply was underthrown.

USC's defensive line was dominant at times, stuffing the run and forcing quarterback Jordan Wynn to throw short passes, but a late second quarter drive gave the Utes' their first score of the game, culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Wynn to DeVonte Christopher with 34 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

The Trojans held John White IV to just 19 yards rushing on 12 carries, but he had those 19 yards on his last five carries, including third-down conversions for first downs.

Senior offensive lineman Martin Coleman got the start at left guard but left the game with an injured shoulder. Jeremy Galten took his place.

For more discussion on the first half, check in with the group at Conquest Chronicles.

USC Vs. Utah Game Score: Marc Tyler Touchdown Gives Trojans 10-0 First Quarter Lead

Marc Tyler returned from suspension to score a touchdown in the first quarter to give the USC Trojans a 10-0 lead over the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the first-ever Pac-12 college football game. Tyler and fellow running back D.J. Morgan have provided the bulk of the offense so far for the Trojans as quarterback Matt Barkley completed just five of nine passes.

The freshman Morgan compiled 33 yards on six carries, including a 12-yarder. Tyler, back from suspension this week, had 19 yards on five carries, and caught a 19-yard pass from Barkley on the second drive, which led to freshman Andre Heidari kicking a 47-yard field goal

USC took the opening kickoff and drove 44 yards to the Utah 32, with the key play a 23-yard pass down the middle to freshman tight end Randall Telfer. The Utes were offside on the play, but the Trojans declined the penalty. USC's drive stalled and Lane Kiffin decided to go for it on 4th-and-3, but Barkley threw incomplete to turn the ball over on downs.

Utah got a first down on their first series, but three consecutive incompletions by Jordan Wynn forced the Utes to punt. Their second series was worse, with one run that lost four yards, followed by another run that lost six yards and ended in a fumble and a turnover.

On their second drive, USC drove 54 yards in 13 plays. They were nearly stopped twice early in the drive, but a pair of quarterback sneaks by Barkley -- one on third and short and the other on fourth and inches from midfield -- kept the drive going.

For more news and information on USC football, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.

USC Football: Martin Coleman Starts At Left Guard, Devon Kennard Starts At Defensive End

The USC Trojans will look to get back in the AP top 25 with a win Saturday night facing the Utah Utes. The Trojans announced a few lineup changes prior to the game. Senior offensive lineman Martin Coleman gets the start at left guard, replacing Jeremy Galten, who started last week. Junior guard Devon Kennard gets the start at defensive end, replacing Wes Horton.

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is home to the first-ever college football game in the Pac-12 conference, as the two Pac-12 South schools go at it. USC got fired up for the game by watching this video on Friday night:

The video was extended just by showing the highlights of Robert Woods, who had 17 catches in last week's opening win against Minnesota. Utah will be represented well at the game, bringing 10,000 fans to Los Angeles.

Saturday's 4:30 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Versus. For more news and information on USC football, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.

USC Vs. Utah: Game Ball To Be Donated To 9/11 Memorial

The USC Trojans and Utah Utes open their conference season on Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles, in what is an important game for both schools. The Trojans are the favorites to with the Pac-12 South, but since they are ineligible for postseason play Utah is among the schools with a great shot at playing in the Pac-12 championship game on Friday, December 2.

Saturday is also the first ever college football game in the new Pac-12 conference. During pregame ceremonies at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, conference commissioner Larry Scott will be presented with a commemorative game ball that has been signed by every coach in the Pac-12, like USC's Lane Kiffin and Utah's Kyle Wittingham.

The football will be donated to the 9/11 Memorial, in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001.

Saturday's 4:30 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Versus. For more news and information on USC football, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.

USC Vs. Utah Keys To The Game: Matt Barkley, Marc Tyler, Norm Chow

The USC Trojans play the second of their three straight home games to open their 2011 season on Saturday afternoon, hosting the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It is the first-ever college football Pac-12 conference game. Here are the keys to the game for Matt Barkley, Marc Tyler and the Trojans, facing their former offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who returned home to the Utes.

The Running Game

USC only had 67 yards on the ground, and it wasn't for lack of trying. D.J. Morgan and Curtis McNeal combined for 103 yards on 24 carries, an average of 4.29 yards per rush. The Trojans will need a better performance on the ground against Utah, and though Morgan remains the starter at tailback, he figures to have help from Marc Tyler, now back from suspension, and Dillon Baxter, who looks for a bigger role this week.

An Old Friend Returns

Norm Chow, who was the offensive coordinator for the Trojans for four glorious seasons, is now in his first season with his alma mater. At 65, Chow feels he has a lot left in the tank, telling Scott M. Reid of the Orange County Register, "I feel healthy. I enjoy the challenge. I guess I’ll keep coaching as long as somebody keeps thinking I can help them."

Barkley To Woods

Matt Barkley set a USC record with 34 completions against Minnesota, and Robert Woods set a school record with his 17 catches for 177 yards and three scores. Utah had four first-time starters in their defensive backfield last week against Montana, so look for Barkley to take advantage.

Prediction: USC 28, Utah 17

For more news and information on USC football, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.

USC Vs. Utah: Game Time, TV & Broadcast Info, Notes & More

The USC Trojans had a lackluster two-point victory to open their season last week, but need to play better on Saturday if they hope to defeat the Utah Utes, who come to Los Angeles for the first-ever Pac-12 college football game. Here is the relevant information for Saturday's game:

• Teams: USC Trojans, Utah Utes
• Time: 4:30 p.m. PDT
  
• Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
• TV: Versus
• Rankings: Both teams dropped after opening wins, and both are out of the top 25. In the AP poll, USC is No. 28 and Utah is No. 35. In the coaches poll, USC is ineligible but Utah is No. 29.
• Favorite: USC is a nine-point favorite, per Bodog.
• Last Meeting: USC lost 10-6 to Utah in the 2001 Las Vegas Bowl, way back in Pete Carroll's first season as head coach of the Trojans. USC leads the all-time series with Utah, 6-3.
  

For more news and information on USC football, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.

Pac-12 College Football: USC Vs. Utah Highlights Saturday Schedule

Marc Tyler Reinstated By USC, Available To Play Vs. Utah

The USC Trojans rushed for just 67 yards in their season-opening win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The lack of a ground game helped lead to turning a 19-3 halftime lead into a stagnant second half and a close 19-17 win. However, the backfield will get a boost against the Utah Utes on September 10, as Marc Tyler has been reinstated for Saturday's game.

Tyler was suspended from the season opener after making comments to TMZ in July that were deemed inappropriate, but that was just the latest in a series of incidents involving Tyler. Per Joe Schad of ESPN:

Tyler said he had appeared before the school's Office of Student Judicial Affairs to discuss two complaints made against him in April. Tyler was accused of spitting on a female student while intoxicated, and later touching another female student inappropriately at a bar near USC's downtown campus.

Last season, Tyler rushed for 913 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. In their season opener against Minnesota, the Trojans averaged just 2.4 yards per carry.

For more news and information on USC football, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles

Robert Woods Named Pac-12 Player Of The Week

Though the USC Trojans struggled to a two-point win on Saturday against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, there were still some positives from the game. Quarterback Matt Barkley and receiver Robert Woods formed a connection that, for one game anyway, is unmatched in USC school history. For his efforts, Woods has been named Pac-12 player of the week.

Woods and Barkley hooked up for three first-half touchdowns as the Trojans built a 19-3 halftime lead over Minnesota. For the game, Woods caught a school record 17 passes for 177 yards and those three scores. The sophomore Woods led the Pac-12 conference in catchers, receiving yards, all-purpose yards, and scoring.

Barkley also set a USC record with 34 completions against the Gophers. Woods last season caught 65 passes for 792 yards and six touchdowns in 2010 as a freshman, and figures to blow past those numbers very soon in 2011. Former Trojan Mike Williams caught 95 passes for 1,314 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2003. Something for Woods to shoot for in 2011.

For more news and information on USC football, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.

USC Trojans Football: Dillon Baxter Not Happy With Playing Time

It's fall. There are so many traditions of this season that always hold up. The nights get shorter, the trees get barer, and USC Trojans running backs start grumbling about their lack of snaps.

This year it's Dillon Baxter, who saw pretty much no significant game time on. Baxter found the situation so irritating that he had to bring his family in to talk to head coach Lane Kiffin about his lack of touches. Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports that Baxter and his family had to talk with Kiffin about his role on the team, and that Kiffin made it clear how Baxter would see the field more.

"There's really not much I can do," Baxter said Saturday. "Just keep working hard and I guess when they want to put me in, they'll put me in."

Kiffin said Baxter did not talk of transferring during a meeting that was requested by the family.

"That's something that … happens a lot, especially with your highly recruited players, especially if they're not playing," Kiffin said. "I call them 'Tell the truth' meetings."

Baxter is still a sophomore, so it'd be surprising if he decided to bolt this early in the season. Still, it's not boding well for Baxter if he does decide to transfer (and it doesn't look particularly good for him that he had to get his parents to talk to his coach). It would indicate that he doesn't believe that he can ever beat out D.J. Morgan and Curtis McNeal for significant playing action in a USC uniform, and would need to look elsewhere to get on the field.

Such is life when you have a hundred four- to five-star recruits to placate.

For more on USC football, check out Conquest Chronicles.

USC Vs. Utah: Trojans Depth Chart Released For Utes

USC hasn't faced Utah since losing 10-6 to the Utes in the 2001 Las Vegas Bowl.