USC Rebounds Against Washington State
The USC football team (6-3, 5-2) became bowl eligible with a sound 44-17 victory over the Washington State Cougars in Pullman, Washington.
Three Trojans had career performances with redshirt junior quarterback Cody Kessler throwing for a career-high 400 passing yards and junior Nelson Agholor scoring his fourth kick return for a touchdown, a USC record, with his 65-yard punt return, putting the Trojans on the board first. Agholor also finished the game with 220 yards. True freshman Juju Smith scored three touchdowns for the Trojans, tying the record by Mike Williams and Robert Woods for most touchdown catches in a game as a freshman. Meanwhile, Javorius Allen rushed for over 100 yards for the sixth consecutive game this season.
Washington State redshirt senior quarterback Connor Halliday, who is the nation's passing yardage leader, was intercepted by Hayes Pullard, who brought the ball to the Washington State 19. Kessler tossed it to Smith for the first of three score connections between the two, giving the Trojans an early 14-0 lead.
Washington State was threatening, but Halliday was injured after being sacked by USC junior defensive end Leonard Williams. Halliday had to be carted off the field, and did not return to the game. Washington State head coach Mike Leach said after the game that Halliday suffered a broken fibula and underwent surgery after the game. Redshirt freshman Luke Falk replaced Halliday. He went on to finish with 370 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Trojans extended their lead to 17-0 in the second quarter with a 37-yard field goal by Andre Heidari. Then Kessler connected with Agholor on a 14-yard pass and with Smith on a 22-yard pass to give the Trojans a 24-0 lead.
USC suffered a blow in the second quarter with an injury of its own. Sophomore linebacker Su'a Cravens left the game with a knee sprain and did not return. He will undergo further tests when the team returns to Los Angeles, according to USC.
Washington State put points on the board before the end of the half. Falk connected with Robert Lewis for a 9-yard score, putting the score at 24-7 at the half.
The Cougars were the first to put points on the board in the second half, adding a 27-yard field goal to make it 24-10.
USC followed with an 87-yard touchdown play from Kessler to Agholor, making it 31-10. Smith later scored a 7-yard touchdown, and freshman Steven Mitchell scored the last Trojan points of the game.
The Trojans will get some rest during the bye-week, and will play the California Bears in a Thursday night game on November 13th at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Final Stats:
USC
Cody Kessler: 21/32, 402 yards, 5 TD's
Nelson Agholor: 8 catches, 220 yards, 1 TD
Javorius Allen: 113 yards
Washington State
Luke Falk: 38/57, 370 yards, 2 TD's
Theron West: 132 total yards
