Bolstered by a smothering defense, No. 3 Southern California shook off a poor first half and defeated Arizona 20-3 Saturday night, extending the Trojans Pac-10 record-winning streak to 24 games. The Trojans (3-0, 1-0 Pac-10) also set a record with their 12th straight conference road win.
USC limited Arizona to 154 total yards including minus-16 yards on 19 rushes. Arizona has scored one touchdown in three games against Division 1A opponents.
Leading 3-0 at intermission, the Trojans mad it 10-0 when junior quarterback John David Booty hit wide-out Dwayne Jarrett for a 3-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter. It was Jarrett’s 32nd career touchdown reception. USC freshman tailback Emmanuel Moody ran for a game high 130 yards and one touchdown.
Bet on College Football at BetUsGet the latest college football point spreads here.
USC dominated its first two opponents, whipping Arkansas 50-14 on the road and defeating No.19 Nebraska 28-10 in Los Angeles however the Trojans found themselves in a 60-minute fight against the Wildcats (2-2, 0-1 Pac-10) who lost to LSU in Baton Rouge 45-3 two weeks ago.
One minute into the second quarter, Arizona created the game’s first scoring chance when Wildcat cornerback Antoine Cason intercepted a Booty pass and returned it 17yards to the Trojan 32. It was Booty’s first interception in 79 passes since he replaced Matt Leinart, now with the Arizona Cardinals. Booty completed 24-of-39 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. Arizona only gained three yards after the turnover, and USC’s Lawrence Jackson blocked Nick Folk’s 46-yard field goal attempt. That set up the games first scoring drive. The Trojans went 47 yards in 10 plays and took a 3-0 lead on Mario Danelo’s 35-yard field goal with 8:23 to go in the first half.
USC mounted its best drive to open the second half, starting on first and goal from the Arizona seven but the play was overturned on review. One play later, Booty rolled out and hit Jarrett who beat Cason in the front corner of the end zone.
After stopping Arizona on the next series, the Trojans drove to Arizona’s eight before the drive stalled and Danelo missed a 26-yard field goal attempt. The miss inspired the Wildcats who drove 54 yards in 12 plays to make it 10-3 on Folk’s 43-yard field goal with 14:05 to go in the game.
USC responded with a 10-play, 64-yard drive that ended in Danelo’s 33-yard field goal to give the Trojans a 13-3 lead with 9:43 to play. The Trojans put the game away when Arizona’s kick returner Mike Thomas dropped a punt and USC’s Dallas Sartz recovered at the Wildcat’s nine. Moody scored on the next play making the final score 20-3 after Danelo’s PAT.
