The USC Trojans returned from its bye week on the road against the California Golden Bears at AT&T Park in San Fransisco, Calif. and win the game with a dominating defensive performance as they defeat the Bears, 30-9, and improve their overall record to 5-1.
It was the first game this season USC didn’t out gain their opponent on offense as the Trojans accumulated 313 yards to the Bear’s 329, but the Trojans did take advantage of Cal’s miscues with five takeaways, doubling that stat by tonight’s game alone.
USC linebacker Dion Bailey recorded eight tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble, carrying USC’s defense past the Bear’s sloppy mistakes by quarterback Zach Maynard, who threw three interceptions, with one in the red zone.
With the game seemingly put away by USC leading the Bears 23-3 in the third quarter, the Bears bounced back with Maynard using his star receivers, Keenan Allen and Marvin Jones, shedding through the USC secondary and scoring on a touchdown late in the third quarter on a Maynard rush for three yards.
The touchdown gave the Bears momentum on offense as Maynard began clicking after a rough start. Barkley couldn’t respond as they punted the ball on three straight drives after the Cal touchdown, but key plays by the USC defense prevented any damage from the Bears, including Bailey’s second interception.
The Trojans converted the turnover on a rushing touchdown by Curtis “Moody” McNeal, who led the Trojans in rushing with 86 yards on 17 carries.
It wasn’t all well for the Trojans as they lost freshman receiver Marqise Lee and running back Marc Tyler on shoulder injuries, with Tyler’s dislocated. Both did not return to the game.
Cornerback Anthony Brown also left the game with a foot injury that was quickly wrapped up.
Barkley was held under 200 yards passing for the first time this year with completing 19 of 35 passes for 195 yards. He did have two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Trojans will head to South Bend, Ind. as they face rivals Notre Dame, who have scheduled bye-week this week.
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