Late Heroics Lift No. 14 USC Over No. 13 Stanford, 13-10
USC senior kicker Andre Heidari found himself in a familiar situation during Saturday's PAC-12 match-up between No. 13 Stanford (1-1) and No. 14 USC (2-0).
In last year's meeting between the conference rivals, Heidari netted a 47-yard field goal with 0:19 showing on the clock to give the Trojans a 20-17 victory over the visiting No. 4 Cardinal. This time in Palo Alto, Heidari lined up a career-long 53-yard attempt that squeezed through the uprights and ultimately ended Stanford's FBS-leading 17-game home winning streak, as the Cardinal and Gold pulled out a 13-10 victory.
Far less comfortable than the dominating 52-13 season-opening performance against Fresno State, USC benefitted largely from Stanford miscues to help seal the win.
During the game's openning drive, the Cardinal made easy work of the Trojan defense as they marched straight down to the USC 20 yard line. However, after being penalized on back-to-back plays, Stanford settled with a 49-yard field goal attempt that pushed wide left.
Setting the Trojans up with useful field positioning, the offense continued the effectiveness from last week's match-up with the Bulldogs and pushed directly down the gridiron. Benefitting from several tough runs by redshirt junior Javorius "Buck" Allen, sophomore running back Justin Davis put USC on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run.
On the ensuing Cardinal drive, Stanford once again found its way easily into deep USC territory on the 13 yard line before a snap sailed over wide receiver Ty Montgomery's head. Rather than testing another deep field goal, Stanford elected to punt from the USC 29 yard line that landed in the endzone for a Trojan touchback.
Following a quick USC three-and-out that featured the first punt of the season by redshirt junior Kris Albarado, Stanford made another appearance in the Trojan redzone—this time with more success.
Two deep passes from senior quarterback Kevin Hogan set the Cardinal up in perfect striking distance to take to the run game. Senior Patrick Skov took a handoff and charged through the line of scrimmage for a 2-yard touchdown, leveling the score at 7-7.
With time winding down in the half, Stanford once again retained possession and with the help of a speedy two-minute drill offense, pushed the way into the redzone yet again. Coming out of a timeout on the seven yard line, the Cardinal received back-to-back penalties forcing them to attempt another field goal, similar to the opening drive. This time, senior kicker Jordan Williamson's 33-yard attempt was successful and gave his team the lead heading into the locker room.
After receiving the second half kickoff, the Trojan offense continued to struggle and were forced to send Albarado in for the third time. Montgomery, Stanford's dominating offensive threat, returned the punt 44 yards all the way to the USC 30. Three runs set Williamson up for a chip-shot 26-yard attempt, but his struggles continued as the senior could not find the middle of the uprights, keeping the score at 10-7.
Later in the quarter, Stanford made its sixth appearance in the redzone, lining up for a pivotal 4th and 1 at the USC 3. Looking to go up by two scores, the Cardinal's attempt to bulldoze through the line was unsuccessful and once again the Trojan defense held strong.
Filled with momentum, redshirt junior Cody Kessler and the USC offense took the field with authority. Connecting on several quick passes down the field, Allen broke off a 50-yard run taking the ball to the Stanford 16. A couple of short runs later left Heidari with a 25-yard field goal attempt that he split the uprights with to level the score at 10.
On the following kickoff, the Trojan's suffered what appeared to be a game-shifting event.
As Montgomery carried the ball across the USC 47 yard line, senior linebacker Hayes Pullard lowered his head into the returner and was charged with a personal foul of unsportsmanlike conduct and targeting. Not only giving Stanford possession on the 32 yard line, the penalty ejected Pullard from the game and will force him to miss the first half of USC's next game against Boston College.
Plaguing themselves with penalties, the Cardinal and Gold once again struck a bit of luck. On the ensuing play, Hogan scrambled around the edge and collided with a group of Trojans, jarring the ball loose that was recovered by redshirt junior Delvon Simmons.
Regaining possession, the USC offense hurried down the field until being confronted with a fourth and five from the Stanford 35. Dropping back, Kessler targeted junior wide receiver Nelson Agholor, but the pass fell short as the Trojans turned the ball over on downs.
Once again, the Cardinal were given an opportunity to take control of the game. Picking apart the tired defense, Hogan lined his team up on the USC 23 and delivered a pass to a wide-open sophomore Austin Hooper in the corner of the endzone. Instead of celebrating the touchdown, the Stanford offense caught sight of a flag on the field and was called for an illegal block that wiped away the six points and forced a long third down on the USC 38. Unable to pick up the first, the Cardinal were forced to punt.
Tied at 10 with seven minutes in regulation, the USC offense took the field once again. Continuing the dominance in the run game, Allen carried the ball across the USC 33 before Agholor recorded his career-high ninth catch of the contest for 29 yards. Then, with just over two minutes left in the game, dėjà vu struck the Cardinal faithful.
Faced with another fourth and five at the Stanford 35, head coach Steve Sarkisian called a USC time out to evaluate his options; walking onto the field after the break was Heidari. Standing poised 53 yards away from the crossbar, the senior struck the ball that cruised between the uprights, giving USC a 13-10 advantage.
Gaining control of the ball with 2:30 to play, Hogan utilized the same offensive strategy seen at the end of the first half, moving his offense 52 yards in just five plays. As Stanford lined up within striking distance on the USC 22, Hogan dropped back and was sacked for the first time all day by junior defensive end Leonard Williams. With precious time ticking off the clock, Hogan took the snap and scrambled away from defenders, but was once again met by a Trojan.
Senior linebacker J.R. Tavai stripped the ball out of the Stanford play caller's hand and it was quickly pounced on by a combination of USC players.
Stepping back onto the field with 0:19 remaining, Kessler touched his knee to the ground, giving USC a 13-10 win.
The Trojans will be in action again next Saturday, as they travel East to take on Boston College.
