SB Nation Los Angeles - USC Vs. Syracuse: Matt Barkley Throws 6 TD Passes In Road Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2012-09-09T08:13:13-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/30524212012-09-09T08:13:13-07:002012-09-09T08:13:13-07:00USC Vs. Syracuse Recap: Reaction To Trojans' Win
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<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans" class="sbn-auto-link">USC Trojans</a> walked out of MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. with a hard-earned victory over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange" class="sbn-auto-link">Syracuse Orange</a>, 42-29, but USC fans immediately wondered whether the game should have been that close in the first place.</p>
<p>There were rough patches in a few areas for USC on Saturday, including in the secondary, where Torin Harris and Anthony Brown were beat on a handful occasions. The guys over at Conquest Chronicles <a href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com/2012/9/8/3304184/three-thoughts-from-usc-42-29-win-over-syracuse">highlighted the hole the departure of Isiah Wiley had created</a>. </p>
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<p>Since Isiah Wiley is no longer with the program, a bevy of prospective cornerbacks have been trying to earn the spot next to Nickell Robey. Well, it hasn't gone too well. Anthony Brown and the returning <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78121/torin-harris">Torin Harris</a> looked incredibly rough today. As <a href="https://twitter.com/joeyrkaufman" target="_blank">Joey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/joeyrkaufman/status/244580943174713344" target="_blank">tweeted</a>, no Wiley could be a bigger problem than previously anticipated.</p>
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<p>Among the strong points of Saturday's victory — including quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley" class="sbn-auto-link">Matt Barkley's</a> six touchdown passes — was USC's run game. Running backs Curtis McNeal (63 yards) and Silas Redd (107) produced strong showings.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114111/silas-redd">Silas Redd</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38256/curtis-mcneal">Curtis McNeal</a> looked sharp carrying the rock. McNeal shouldered the load on the Trojans' first scoring drive, recording 42 yards. Redd went over 100 yards for the first time in his ‘SC career, the highlight being a 40-yard run in the fourth quarter to allow Barkley and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136355/marqise-lee" class="sbn-auto-link">Marqise Lee</a> to score their final touchdowns of the day.</p>
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<p><i> For more USC football coverage, make sure to check out <a href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com/">Conquest Chronicles</a>. </i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2012/9/9/3305145/usc-vs-syracuse-recap-reactionAsher Feldman2012-09-09T05:02:03-07:002012-09-09T05:02:03-07:00Heisman Trophy 2012: Matt Barkley Adds 6 TD Passes To His Resume
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<p>It wasn't quite as dominant as their season opening win, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans">USC Trojans</a> dispatched the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a> on Saturday with a 42-29 win behind quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a>. Six more touchdown passes for Barkley certainly didn't hurt his chances for the 2012 Heisman Trophy.</p>
<p>Barkley tied his own school record with six touchdown passes against Syracuse, the third time he has done so, giving him 90 touchdown passes in his career. Barkley completed 23 of 30 passes for 187 yards with one interception to go with his six scores.</p>
<p>On the season Barkley has thrown for 559 yards and completed 67.6% of his passes, with 10 touchdowns and one interception.</p>
<p>"[Barkley] played really well," head coach Lane Kiffin <a target="_blank" href="http://dailytrojan.com/2012/09/08/no-2-usc-ekes-out-a-42-29-victory-over-the-orange/">told the Daily Trojan</a>. "Once again, weird environment today, weather issues, wind issues, and I thought he took care of the ball really well."</p>
<p>In fact, the weather conditions were just about the only thing that could slow down Barkley on Saturday, as the game was delayed for about 45 minutes after halftime with an impending storm coming. After the wait, Barkley threw four of his six touchdowns.</p>
<p>Barkley gets a chance to put up more numbers next weekend as the Trojans travel to Palo Alto to visit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/stanford-cardinal">Stanford Cardinal</a>.</p>
<p><i>For more on the USC Trojans, visit <a href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com">Conquest Chronicles</a>. </i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2012/9/9/3304638/heisman-trophy-2012-matt-barkley-six-touchdownsEric Stephen2012-09-08T22:44:30-07:002012-09-08T22:44:30-07:00Will USC Trojans Drop Again In AP Poll After Win?
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans">USC Trojans</a> won their season opener by 39 points last week, but still <a target="_blank" href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2012/9/4/3291417/college-football-rankings-usc-trojans-associated-press-poll-top-25/in/3009573">dropped a spot anyway in the Associated Press poll</a>, from No. 1 to No. 2. After their relatively pedestrian 42-29 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a> on Saturday, will they drop again on Sunday?</p>
<p>Here is a look at how the AP top 10 fared on Saturday:</p>
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<li>No. 1 Alabama: beat Western Kentucky 45-0 at home</li>
<li>No. 2 USC: <a target="_blank" href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2012/9/8/3303990/usc-vs-syracuse-final-score-robert-woods/in/3052421">beat Syracuse 42-29</a> in a neutral site game</li>
<li>No. 3 LSU: beat Washington 41-3 at home</li>
<li>No. 4 Oregon: beat Fresno State 42-25 at home</li>
<li>No. 5 Oklahoma: beat Florida A&M 69-13 at home</li>
<li>No. 6 Florida State: beat Savannah State 55-0 at home</li>
<li>No. 7 Georgia: beat Missouri 41-20 on the road</li>
<li>No. 8 Arkansas: lost to Louisiana Monroe 34-31 at home</li>
<li>No. 9 (tied) South Carolina: beat East Carolina 48-10 at home</li>
<li>No. 9 (tied) West Virginia: idle<br>
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<p>So the question is, will the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/lsu-tigers">LSU Tigers</a> get bonus points for their dominant win at home over Washington? Will it be enough to overtake USC? Here is a look at the first two AP polls of the season.</p>
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<tr bgcolor="#cccccc">
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>Associated Press Poll Points </b></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#cccccc">
<td width="150"><b>Team </b></td>
<td align="center" width="100"><b>Preseason </b></td>
<td align="center" width="100"><b>Week 1 </b></td>
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<td>Alabama</td>
<td align="center">1,411 (17)</td>
<td align="center">1,481 (45)</td>
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<td>USC</td>
<td align="center">1,445 (25)</td>
<td align="center">1,435 (11)</td>
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<td>LSU</td>
<td align="center">1,402 (16)</td>
<td align="center">1,382 (4)</td>
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<p>If in theory the Trojans would lose all 11 first place votes to Alabama, then it would take more than 21 voters to flip USC and LSU. Could it happen? Perhaps, but it's still early in the season, and we need something to talk about.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Trojans, check out </i><a href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com"><i><b>Conquest Chronicles</b></i></a><i>.</i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2012/9/8/3304603/usc-trojans-associated-press-poll-top-25-lsu-tigersEric Stephen2012-09-08T17:05:24-07:002012-09-08T17:05:24-07:00USC Vs. Syracuse: Robert Woods Leads Trojans To 42-29 Victory
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<p>Robert Woods had 169 yards from scrimmage as USC withstood the push from Syracuse to win 42-29. The Trojans may have been playing in an NFL stadium, but with the upper bowl closed and a light rain throughout the game, USC showed no signs of being intimidated by their surroundings. Even when the second half was delayed by almost an hour due to a passing storm, USC maintained composure throughout the game. </p>
<p>Robert Woods caught ten passes for 93 yards, and also ran a reverse for 76 yards. His 169 combined offensive yards makes him easily the player of the game. Woods also caught two touchdown passes. </p>
<p>The Trojans scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. With the score 21-16, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> hit tight end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113445/xavier-grimble">Xavier Grimble</a> on an out pattern. The cornerback played off of him, allowing the end to get up the head of steam to play twenty-two yards into the end zone. </p>
<p>The second touchdown came Marquise Lee's way, a four yard fade route into the end zone. Lee then pulled down his third touchdown catch of the day with 5:45 left in the game as USC's receiving corp showed why they are one of the best in the country. Matt Barkley had an accurate day if not a fantastic day; 23/30 and 186 yards with six touchdown passes tying his school record.</p>
<p>The USC running back duo of McNeal and Redd were able to do much more for the Trojans this afternoon. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114111/silas-redd">Silas Redd</a> ran for 107 yards on 15 carries while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38256/curtis-mcneal">Curtis McNeal</a> ran 67 yards on 11 yards as the two running backs did much more than the 14 carries they had against Hawaii. </p>
<p>USC had some difficulty with the hurry up offense in the third quarter, but they've got time to work on that before facing Oregon. Next up for the Trojans is a game in Palo Alto against Stanford, then they host California in Los Angeles. </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2012/9/8/3303990/usc-vs-syracuse-final-score-robert-woodsJosie Becker2012-09-08T16:12:14-07:002012-09-08T16:12:14-07:00USC Vs. Syracuse: Robert Woods Leads Trojans To 21-16 Lead
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<p>Syracuse has begun to mount a comeback on the strength of a hurry up offense. Syracuse went to the hurry up offense trailing 21-3 and the Trojans had no answer as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37776/ryan-nassib">Ryan Nassib</a> kept hurrying his offense to the line, settling for nickel and dime runs until the defense played shallow enough that he could go deep. Worrying stuff for a team that will see Oregon as their biggest threat to the Pac12 title. </p>
<p>The half began with Syracuse giving USC the opportunity to go up big coming out and throwing an interception on the opening drive of the half. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113425/dion-bailey">Dion Bailey</a> popped up for his second interception of the day. The man known on twitter as @HeismanWoods showed USC has no shortage of award candidates pulling down his second touchdown catch of the day in the third quarter. Robert Woods caught nine, seventeen, and twelve yard strikes on the drive before hauling in the four yard touchdown pass and looked good doing it. Woods is currently at nine catches for 91 yards. </p>
<p>A 31 yard strike from Nassib on the next drive showed a flaw in the USC defense, and then a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> interception gave the ball right back to the hot Orange offense. Syracuse was able to drive from the 50 yard line for a touchdown. Syracuse went for two to pull within three, but USC was able to stop the conversion. </p>
<p>Syracuse has the ball as we head into the fourth quarter. </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2012/9/8/3303913/usc-vs-syracuse-game-score-Robert-WoodsJosie Becker2012-09-08T13:59:35-07:002012-09-08T13:59:35-07:00USC Vs. Syracuse: Matt Barkley Leads Trojans To 14-3 Lead
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<p>USC goes into halftime leading Syracuse 14-3 as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> has found his form and the school's pair of 1,000 yard rushers have started to find their footing. Syracuse's prolific passer has been kept in check, as early game jet lag has been shrugged off in favor of quality form. </p>
<p>Matt Barkley and Marquise Lee continue to steal the show, combining for USC's first touchdown of the day. A 45 yard drive from inside Syracuse territory, USC finally started stringing some plays together culminating in a 13 yard touchdown pass on a slant over the middle. Lee has one rush for 23 yards and seven catches for 54 yards, while Barkley's piled up a mere 112 yards passing with two TD passes. </p>
<p>That series seemed to shake the rust off Matt Barkley, as he was able to hit Robert Woods running a streak down the right sideline for his second touchdown pass of the day just before halftime. The 29 yard reception pulled Woods to 52 yards on the half. </p>
<p>Things are even starting to heat up for the Trojan running backs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38256/curtis-mcneal">Curtis McNeal</a> finally broke a long one, a 22 yard rush that puts him at 55 yards on the day. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114111/silas-redd">Silas Redd</a> has compiled 46 as the pair have combined for 17 rushes; three more than they combined for on the game against Hawaii. The two are doing their best to prove to other teams that USC is not overly reliant on the pass. </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2012/9/8/3303617/usc-vs-syracuse-game-score-Matt-Barkley-14-3Josie Becker2012-09-08T13:12:42-07:002012-09-08T13:12:42-07:00USC Vs. Syracuse: Defenses Shine In No Score First Quarter
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<p>USC only managed 71 yards of offense in the first quarter as defense has dominated the game so far with neither the Trojans nor Syracuse getting on the board. The currently 0-0 game hasn't even featured a scoring opportunity yet, but it has been three turnovers on downs and an interception. </p>
<p>USC received the ball to begin, and chose to go for it on fourth and short at around their own forty yard line. The defense was able to get them the ball right back, as linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113425/dion-bailey">Dion Bailey</a> picked off a desperation pass on a slant as Syracuse quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37776/ryan-nassib">Ryan Nassib</a> was hit from behind. </p>
<p>Getting stuffed on fourth and one on the first drive didn't stop Lane Kiffin from going for it again on fourth and one on the second drive. This time USC was much more successful, running a reverse to receiver Marquise Lee. This launched USC into field goal range for the first time in the game. </p>
<p>With USC's field goal ticker unavailable, Lane Kiffin decided to go for it again on fourth and twelve. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> through for the corner of the end zone, as the third straight series to open the game ended with a turnover. </p>
<p>USC has the ball to start the second quarter. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114111/silas-redd">Silas Redd</a> has gotten the most touches to start the game, with five running plays. Curis McNeal has had three for only three yards. </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2012/9/8/3303543/usc-vs-syracuse-game-score-Dion-BaileyJosie Becker2012-09-08T12:14:49-07:002012-09-08T12:14:49-07:00USC Vs. Syracuse: Keys To The Game
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans">USC Trojans</a> travel to East Rutherford, NJ to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a> in their Week 2 match-up. USC will try to move to 2-0, while Syracuse will be looking for their first win of the season following a heart-breaking loss to Northwestern a week ago. The Trojans are heavy favorites on Saturday, but they still need to execute to assure victory. </p>
<p>SB Nation's Conquest Chronicles <a href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com/2012/9/7/3298454/usc-syracuse-preview-what-to-watch-for" target="_blank">took a look at the keys to the game for USC against Syracuse</a>. One of those keys involves the defensive front-four:</p>
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<p>2. Will the Trojans be able to generate enough pressure on Nassib?</p>
<p>USC did record four sacks against Nassib last year, but only forced one turnover. As noted in our Q&A with Sean Keeley of Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician, Nassib struggled with decision-making in the pocket last year. In the Orange's seven losses, he totaled eight interceptions. In their wins? Nassib totaled just one. He did throw one pick against Northwestern, but that was out of 65 passing attempts. If USC can get to Nassib as they did last week against Hawai'i's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75490/sean-schroeder">Sean Schroeder</a>, then it will relieve a lot of pressure off the Trojans' secondary.</p>
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<p>Check out the whole piece to find the rest of the keys for USC. Heisman-candidate <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> and the Trojans will face the Orange live on ABC at 12:30 p.m. PT. </p>
<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; color: #333333;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Stick with<a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #1e3385; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2012/9/2/3288380/usc-trojans-syracuse-orange-new-york-college-classic"> this StoryStream </a>for updates, scores and more from the USC vs. Syracuse game. For all things Trojans, <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #1e3385; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com/">Conquest Chronicles</a> has you covered.</i></span></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/usc-trojans/2012/9/8/3303443/usc-vs-syracuse-preview-keysCraig Powers