SB Nation Los Angeles - USC Plays Its Best Game Of Season, Obliterates Cal 48-14https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2010-10-16T17:01:47-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/15157282010-10-16T17:01:47-07:002010-10-16T17:01:47-07:00USC 48, Cal 14: Postgame Recap Of A Blowout
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<p>Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> threw for 352 yards and a school record-tying five touchdowns to lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans">USC Trojans</a> in a 48-14 rout of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/california-golden-bears">California Golden Bears</a> in a Pac-10 bout at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.</p>
<p>Barkley completed 25-of-37 passes to pace the Trojans (5-2, 2-2 PAC-10) in the win, with Robert Woods hauling in seven passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Ronald Johnson caught seven passes as well for USC, gaining 45 yards and scoring twice in the process. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9548/marc-tyler">Marc Tyler</a> produced 79 yards and scored a touchdown on just seven carries to lead the Trojan ground-game, while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9517/c-j-gable">C.J. Gable</a> added 72 yards on 13 attempts.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9031/kevin-riley">Kevin Riley</a> threw for 193 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the loss for Cal (3-3, 1-2), while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9050/shane-vereen">Shane Vereen</a> ran for 53 yards to go with three receptions for 45 yards and a score. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113629/keenan-allen">Keenan Allen</a> grabbed four balls for 61 yards and a score for the Golden Bears in the setback.</p>
<p>The first quarter was all USC, as the Trojans scored 14 unanswered points, beginning with a 16-yard toss from Barkley to Woods early in the frame. Barkley then found <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9527/david-ausberry">David Ausberry</a> with a 22-yard completion late in the stanza.</p>
<p>The second quarter was more of the same, as the Trojans rolled to a 42-0 halftime advantage. Tyler found the end zone following an 11-yard scamper to give USC a 21-0 lead early in the period, while a nine-yard strike from Barkley to Woods midway through the frame made it 28-0. Barkley then found Johnson on scoring strikes of eight and 11 yards with under a minute to go in the half.</p>
<p>A 27-yard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38261/joe-houston">Joe Houston</a> field goal gave the Trojans a 45-0 lead late in the third period.</p>
<p>The Golden Bears finally got on the board late in the stanza, as Riley hooked up with Vereen on a 31-yard TD completion.</p>
<p>Houston connected from 27 yards out early in the fourth quarter to give the Trojans a 48-7 lead.</p>
<p>The Golden Bears added another score late in the frame, as Riley found Allen with an eight-yard TD strike, but by then it was too late as the visitors took the 34-point tumble.</p>
<p>The Golden Bears, who converted only 2-of-10 on third down, gained just 245 yards of total offense during the meeting, compared to that of USC which amassed 602 yards on the day.</p>
<p><i>For more USC news and information, be sure to read the SB Nation blog <a target="_blank" href="http://conquestchronicles.com/">Conquest Chronicles</a>.</i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2010/10/16/1756064/usc-trojans-48-cal-bears-14-postgame-recap-blowout-matt-barkley-robert-woodsEric Stephen2010-10-16T16:36:49-07:002010-10-16T16:36:49-07:00USC Vs. Cal: C.J. Gable Might Be Out For Season
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<p>It was a great day on the football field for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans">USC Trojans</a>, 48-14 winners over the Cal Bears at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. But they received some bad news after the game, per Michael Lev of the <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/ocruscblog/statuses/27584167297">Orange County Register</a>:</p>
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<p><span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">Lane Kiffin said CJ Gable might be out for the season b/c of a knee injury.</span></span></span></p>
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<p>Gable ran for 73 yards on 13 carries, but appeared to injure his knee in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>USC played without freshman running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113427/dillon-baxter">Dillon Baxter</a> today, who didn't dress due to a toe injury. The injury to Gable is a blow to an increasingly thin running back corps for the Trojans.</p>
<p><i>For more USC news and information, be sure to read the SB Nation blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com/">Conquest Chronicles</a>.</i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2010/10/16/1756116/usc-trojans-cal-bears-c-j-gable-might-be-out-for-seasonEric Stephen2010-10-16T15:58:39-07:002010-10-16T15:58:39-07:00USC Vs. Cal: Trojans Dominate Bears, 48-14
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans">USC Trojans</a> played their best game of the season, crushing the Cal Bears 48-14 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, snapping a two-game losing streak, and providing something positive heading into their bye week as they prepare for Oregon.</p>
<p>The Trojans' 34-point margin of victory was the most over Cal since a 55-14 drubbing in Berkeley in 2001, Pete Carroll's first season.</p>
<p>Here are some eye-popping numbers from the game, which pushed USC to 5-2, and 2-2 in the Pac-10:</p>
<ul>
<li>USC racked up 602 net offensive yards, the second time the Trojans have amassed 600 yards this season. They had 613 yards against Washington State.</li>
<li>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> tied a USC record with five touchdown passes, and was 25-for-37 with 351 passing yards</li>
<li>Freshman Robert Woods caught seven passes for 117 yards and two scores</li>
<li>Ronald Johnson caught seven passes for 45 yards and two touchdowns</li>
<li>The USC defense, which entered the game 100th in the nation in yards allowed, gave up just 244 total yards and 11 first downs to Cal</li>
<li>USC has now won seven straight games against Cal, by an average of 29-10.</li>
</ul>
<p>USC has a bye next week, before hosting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oregon-ducks">Oregon Ducks</a> on October 30.</p>
<p>For more USC news and analysis, be sure to read the SB Nation blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com/">Conquest Chronicles</a>.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2010/10/16/1756025/usc-trojans-cal-bears-48-14-matt-barkley-robert-woodsEric Stephen2010-10-16T15:16:40-07:002010-10-16T15:16:40-07:00USC Vs. Cal: Matt Barkley's Stellar Day Is Done
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans">USC Trojans</a> lead the Cal Bears 45-7 as we head to the fourth quarter, in what has easily been the Trojans' best game to date this season. After playing two series in the third quarter, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a>'s day is done. Barkley ended his day 25-for-37 for 351 yards with no interceptions, and tied a USC record with five touchdowns, the second time Barkley has thrown for five scores this season.</p>
<p>Barkley threw for a career-high 390 yards last week against Stanford.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9535/mitch-mustain">Mitch Mustain</a> is now playing quarterback for the Trojans, although his role will mostly be to hand off to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9517/c-j-gable">C.J. Gable</a> and his fellow running backs. Through three quarters, USC has 163 yards on 24 carries, an average of 6.8 yards per rush.</p>
<p><i>For more USC news and information, please read the SB Nation blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com/">Conquest Chronicles</a>.</i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2010/10/16/1755973/usc-trojans-cal-bears-matt-barkley-record-5-touchdownsEric Stephen2010-10-16T14:45:11-07:002010-10-16T14:45:11-07:00USC Vs. Cal: Trojans Obliterating Bears In First Half, 42-0
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans">USC Trojans</a> are playing like a team that doesn't feel like losing on a last-second field goal for a third straight week. They have completely dominated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/california-golden-bears">California Golden Bears</a> in the first half, and lead 42-0 at halftime.</p>
<p>USC outgained Cal, 371 yards to 64, and the Trojans' much-maligned defense has held Cal to just three first downs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> has five touchdown passes: two each to Robert Woods and Ronald Johnson, and one to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9527/david-ausberry">David Ausberry</a>.</p>
<p>Barkley has completed 20 of 29 passes in the first 30 minutes, for 256 yards to go with his five scores. Just for fun, here's how Barkley compares to Matt Leinart in the first seven games of their sophomore season:</p>
<ul>
<li>Leinart (2003): 64.3% completion rate, 1886 yards, 17 touchdowns, eight interceptions</li>
<li>Barkley (2010): 65.5% completion rate, 1773 yards, 20 touchdowns, four interceptions</li>
</ul>
<p>Keep in mind, Barkley still has one half left to play today, although the score dictates that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9535/mitch-mustain">Mitch Mustain</a> will see the majority of the playing time under center in the second half.</p>
<p>USC also has 115 yards rushing on just 16 carries, a number that figures to rise greatly in the second half. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9548/marc-tyler">Marc Tyler</a> led the way with 62 yards on five carries, including one touchdown.</p>
<p><i>For more USC news and information, be sure to read the SB Nation blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com/">Conquest Chronicles</a>.</i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2010/10/16/1755914/usc-trojans-cal-first-half-42-0-matt-barkley-robert-woods-ronald-johnsonEric Stephen2010-10-16T13:53:50-07:002010-10-16T13:53:50-07:00USC Vs. Cal: Trojans Putting The Woods To Bears, 28-0
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<p>USC is playing their best game of the season today, taking out their frustrations on the Cal Bears, leading 28-0 midway through the second quarter. The latest USC touchdown came courtesy of a 10-yard pass from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> to Robert Woods, for Woods' second touchdown of the game.</p>
<p>The story of the game so far has been the USC defense, which through the first five drives of the game held Cal to 19 total yards and just one first down. The average starting point through the first five drives tell the story:</p>
<ul>
<li>USC has started, on average, at the Cal 43-yard line</li>
<li>Cal has started, on average, at the USC 16-yard line</li>
</ul>
<p><i>For more USC news and analysis, be sure to read the SB Nation blog <a href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com/">Conquest Chronicles</a>.</i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2010/10/16/1755864/usc-trojans-cal-robert-woods-matt-barkleyEric Stephen2010-10-16T13:18:35-07:002010-10-16T13:18:35-07:00USC Vs. Cal: Trojans Capitalize On Stellar Defense, Lead 14-0 In First Quarter
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<p>A second <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> touchdown strike, this one a 22-yard bomb to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9527/david-ausberry">David Ausberry</a>, gave the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans">USC Trojans</a> a 14-0 lead in the first quarter over the Cal Bears at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.</p>
<p>USC's defense, without two of its top playmakers in Malcolm Smith and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38288/wes-horton">Wes Horton</a> today, has shone bright so far, holding call to negative two yards on their first three possessions, without a first down.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9043/bryan-anger">Bryan Anger</a> has punted three times so far for Cal, showing good leg, averaging 51 yards per punt, but he may have outkicked his coverage, at least on the first two kicks.<br><br>Ronald Johnson returned the first punt for 18 yards, and returned the second punt for 20 yards, setting up the Trojans nicely in both occasions. Anger's third kick was his best, a 53-yard boomer, which Johnson let roll.</p>
<p>Barkley is 8-for-11 for 80 yards passing with two touchdowns so far today.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2010/10/16/1755798/usc-trojans-cal-bears-capitalize-stellar-defense-14-0-matt-barkley-david-ausberryEric Stephen2010-10-16T12:53:48-07:002010-10-16T12:53:48-07:00USC Vs. Cal: Trojans Strike First With Barkley-To-Woods Touchdown
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<p>After holding Cal to three-and-out on their opening drive, USC struck first with a 16-yard touchdown pass from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> to Robert Woods, who made a wonderful catch, keeping his feet in bounds while catching the ball on the right side of the end zone, giving the Trojans a 7-0 lead with 11:17 remaining in the first quarter.</p>
<p>Outside of the touchdown, the key play of the drive was a 26-yard run by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9548/marc-tyler">Marc Tyler</a> on 3rd-and-1, to push the ball deep into Cal territory.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2010/10/16/1755776/usc-cal-trojans-strike-first-with-matt-barkley-to-robert-woods-touchdownEric Stephen