Penalties Cost USC Game Against Arizona
Looking strictly at the numbers, USC had a solid showing in Tuscon on Saturday against Arizona. Marqise Lee broke a Pac-12 receiving record with 16 receptions for 345 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Barkley also had an impressive performance, matching Carson Palmer's school record of three 400-yard games.
So with these great numbers from the Trojans, how did they lose to the Wildcats 36-39?
Penalties.
The Trojans couldn't come back from five turnovers, two interceptions, and 13 penalties for 117 yards. USC pulled out a 48-41 win last year despite a second half comeback from the Wildcats. Barkley put up record-breaking stats then too with a school-record for 468 yards, but the difference then was his opposing quarterback. This time around, fifth-year senior Matt Scott led the Wildcats, and his push after halftime help secure the win for Arizona.
Scott threw for 369 yards with three touchdowns and only one interception. The Wildcat's quarterback also ran for 100 yards, making him one of the top rushers for Arizona.
Scott's standout performance helped secure the Wildcat's upset, pushing the formerly unranked Arizona team to No. 24 in the AP Polls, while USC dropped from No. 9 to No. 18.
