Trojans Roll Over Hawaii, 49-10
The very first play on the official box score of USC's 49-10 win over Hawaii reads as follows: "Matt Barkley pass complete to Marqise Lee for 75 yards. Touchdown."
Yeah, it happened that fast.
On the very first play of the Trojan's promising young season, Barkley took three steps back and fired a quick screen to Lee. Lee made his defender miss and took off down the Trojan sideline, to the absolute delight of those on it and the 93,000 in in the stands.
It was the start of a banner day for Lee and the Trojan passing game as a whole.
Two possesions later, after finding Lee for a gain of 41, quarterback Matt Barkley found Robert Woods for a 20 yard touchdown pass.
Two Hawaii possesions later, middle linebacker Hayes Pullard intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown.
Transfer running back Silas Redd got in the action on the Trojans next possesion, taking a fourth-and-two handoff 31 yards to the house.
Barkley found Woods for another two-yard TD and the Trojans added a field goal to take a 35-0 lead into halftime.
Hawaii scored on a 69 yard, 12 play to start the second half, but Lee promptly returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards back to the house to cap his impressive day. Lee finished with 10 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown in addition to his big kickoff return.
Each team added another touchdown before the end to make the final 49-10.
Matt Barkley was just 23-for-38 but passed for 372 yards with 4 TDs before bowing out midway through the fourth quarter. Redshirt freshman Max Wittek took over and was three-for-three in his collegiate debut.
The Trojan defense also was impressive, generating four takeaways (two each, fumbles and interceptions) while allowing 264 total yards.
The biggest concern from the game was the Trojan rushing attack, which managed just 81 yards on 23 attempts.
