The USC Trojans played their first road game tonight in Tempe, Ariz. against the Arizona State Sun Devils, and will wish to forget about it right away as the Sun Devils blowout the Trojans at home 43-22.
The rout began midway through the third quarter with an eight play, 76-yard drive that resulted in a ASU Cameron Marshall 3-yard rushing touchdown, which made ASU regain its lead against USC 28-22.
The following drive, USC running back Marc Tyler fumbled after rushing for 17 yards and was recovered by ASU Deveron Carr. USC had four turnovers for the game.
At the start of the fourth, USC was driving the field as they cruised for 73 yards on 10 plays. However Matt Barkley was sacked by Greg Smith and fumbled the ball at the ASU 14 yard line. The Sun Devils converted on a touchdown drive from that fumble on a Marshall rush for four yards.
Barkley went 21 for 33 passing with 227 total yards passing, one touchdown, and two critical interceptions. One of the interceptions was caught by ASU linebacker Vontaze Burfict in the second quarter, which ASU drove in for a touchdown. The other came in the fourth quarter caught by Shelly Lyons, who ran it in for the touchdown and ultimately put the game away.
USC had no answer for Brock Osweiler, who completed 25 of his 32 passes for 223 yards and two touchdown with no interceptions. The ASU running offense also accumulated 169 yards, with Marshall leading the corp with 141 yards on the ground.
Not all things were stormy for USC, however. Down 21-9 at the half, USC came storming back with 14 unanswered points. One of those touchdowns was scored on a pass from Barkley to Marquise Lee, who continues to have a solid freshman campaign.
USC’s Tyler had 149 yards rushing on 22 carries to lead USC in rushing, scoring a touchdown.
USC will try to regroup as they face the Arizona Wildcats at home at 12:30 p.m. PT.
For more information from tonight’s game, as well as more news and information on the USC Trojans, please visit Conquest Chronicles.