LOS ANGELES– The USC Trojans came out of the gate running and pounded the Arizona defense in the first quarter rushing for 116-yards. The Wildcats struggled to hold off the Trojans and fumbled on a punt recovered by Jalen Greene for an 11-yard touchdown. 

USC was able to keep the pressure on Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate leaving the Wildcats scoreless in the first quarter. 

Arizona’s Dane Cruikshank intercepted USC quarterback Sam Darnold’s pass in the end zone on the Trojans second drive of the game, which was much needed for the ‘Cats in the first half. 

The Wildcat’s were able to get on the board in the beginning of the second quarter with a 45-yard field goal by Lucas Havrisik, but it wasn’t much longer till the Trojans got into the end zone with 22-yard touchdown by Tyler Vaughns, 14-3. USC followed up that drive with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to Steve Mitchell to give the Trojans a 21-3 lead. 

Arizona’s struggled on defense, giving up 270 yards on offense to just 63 for the Wildcats with just under six minutes in the second quarter.

The Wildcats finally got a drive going at the end of the second quarter, but had to settle for a field goal. The Trojans would take a 21-6 lead going into the half. 

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