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USC quarterback Miller Moss passes during the first quarter of the Trojans’ win over Utah State at the Coliseum on Saturday night. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
It seemed, at first, like a strange fit. A West Coast power, known for its flash, paired with a conference known for its bulk and corn-fed brawn. Two years of patronizing tones from the rest of the Big Ten Conference suggested as much about USC, which, until this fall, hadn’t offered much reason to believe it belonged in such a weight class.
But as the mightiest the Big Ten had to offer were beaten up Saturday, USC didn’t just look the part of a conference heavyweight in a 48-0 beatdown of Utah State. It bullied its way to the forefront of the College Football Playoff conversation before its Big Ten slate had even begun.
That effort started, once again, on defense, where USC’s rebuilt unit clamped down, pitching a shutout for the first time since November 2011. The No. 13 Trojans held Utah State to 190 yards and gave up just one third-down conversion, and only twice did the Aggies get past the 50-yard line before the final minutes.
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It wasn’t just a stifling USC defense that did the overpowering. After finding little room against Louisiana State, USC proved it could exert its will on the ground against Utah State. Led by Woody Marks and Quinten Joyner, who combined to average more than eight yards per carry, USC piled up 249 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
The rushing attack was so dominant that quarterback Miller Moss didn’t need to do much. Moss still threw for 229 yards and a touchdown in an efficient performance — and could’ve had two more scores, had his receivers not dropped two gimmes in the first half.
The mistakes made — a fumble here, a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/miller-moss-usc-play-lights-065434403.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-09-08 06:54:34
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