This past weekend, Arizona football dropped its second consecutive game of the season against the USC Trojans on the road at the Coliseum. These three standout plays summarized what happened in the 60 minutes of action on Saturday night.

Grant Gunnell’s first career interception:

On second and seven, true freshman quarterback Grant Gunnell was in the shotgun with J.J. Taylor and Michael Wiley next to him. Gunnell sent Taylor wide to the left, and on the snap, USC safety Isaiah Pola-Mao came off a blitz on the left side. Gunnell didn’t see him as he was dropping back, and as he was about to throw to receiver Drew Dixon, Palo-Mao lit him up and Gunnell threw a wobbly ball that was picked off by Kana’i Mauga. Mauga then returned it to Arizona’s 28-yard line. Arizona’s defense held up, however, only surrendering a field goal to the Trojans that drive. 

Kedon Slovis’ 54-yard throw to Michael Pittman Jr.:

On first and 10, from USC’s 40-yard line, Arizona looked to be playing a Cover-3 defense, as they had three defensive linemen, three linebackers, a spur (who plays as both a safety and linebacker) and two corners. On the snap, Bobby Wolfe, a true freshman, was covering Michael Pittman Jr. on the left side of the field, and Pittman ran a simple post pattern. Jace Whittaker, the free safety on the play, moved to the middle of the field because USC receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown ran a 15-yard in route. Slovis then threw it to Pittman because he was over three inches taller than Wolfe, but Pittman also came back to the ball, which was something Wolfe wasn’t expecting. This catch led to a USC touchdown on a throw from Slovis to Tyler Vaughns. 

Kenan Christon’s 55-yard touchdown run:

On first and 10, from USC’s 45-yard line, Arizona looked to be playing a Cover-2 look, with defensive end Jalen Harris covering St. Brown on the short side of the field. On the snap, USC tight end Erik Krommenhoek blocked down on linebacker Colin Schooler, pinning him inside. Right guard Jalen McKenzie followed him and pulled around to the left to kick out spur Tristan Cooper. Once McKenzie was able to do that, it was simply a foot race to the endzone for Christon, and safety Christian Young didn’t take a great angle to the ball, and Christon was able to outrun Young to the endzone, resulting in a 55-yard touchdown run. Christon was USC’s fourth string running back, and this was his first collegiate touchdown ever.

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