USC Becomes Bowl Eligible With 62-28 Win Over Cal
Video by Paige Graham
USC dominated the California Golden Bears with a 62-28 victory on Saturday. USC's 62 points is the most ever scored in Berkeley, and the most points scored in a conference game.
Cal was looking to get their first Pac-12 win of the season, while the Trojans looked to become bowl eligible. The Trojans didn't waste time scoring as wide receiver Nelson Agholor returned a punt for a 75-yard touchdown. This was Agholor's first career punt return for a touchdown. He finished the day with 215 total yards and two touchdowns.
Special teams came up big for the Trojans as they scored 21 of USC's 62 points. USC tied an NCAA record of three punt returns for touchdowns. Agholor followed up his first career punt return with a 93-yard touchdown punt return, while safety Josh Shaw returned a blocked punt, by full back Soma Vainuku, for a 14-yard touchdown. Special teams plays tied the Trojans single-game record for most punt returns for touchdowns.
Agholor's performance tied the USC record for punt return of touchdowns in a game held by Heisman Trophy winner and former athletic director Mike Garrett. Garrett made history with two punt returns against Cal in the same Memorial Stadium back in 1965.
Facing a 21-0 deficit, Cal attempted to make a comeback scoring on two quick touchdown passes. Cal's freshman quarterback Jared Goff finished the game being 34 of 48 passes for 255 and three touchdowns.
USC running back Silas Redd gave the Trojans a boost with a 12-yard touchdown, which was his first receiving touchdown of the year. Unfortunately, Redd left the game with a right knee injury and did not return to play. With Redd sidelined Javorius "Buck" Allen received most of the carries.
Allen followed up his huge performance versus Oregon State with another versus Cal. Allen finished with 192 total yards and three touchdowns. Allen produced nothing but big plays scoring on a 43-yard, 57-yard and a 79-yard touchdown.
Leading by more than three touchdowns USC back-up quarterback Max Wittek was given the opportunity to take the field. Cody Kessler finished up the game 14 of 17 for 170 yards and two touchdowns. USC super star Marqise Lee only had one catch for 13 yards, but was constantly supporting his teammates.
USC finished with 499 total yards and improve to 7-3 on the season and 4-2 in the Pac-12. USC interim head coach Ed Orgeron improves to 4-1 since taking over. Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast also gets his first win over the Golden Bears since leaving Cal last year.
The Trojans get their 10th straight win over Cal, and can now set their eyes on No. 5 ranked Stanford Cardinal.
