Jaxson Dart, second-half defense deliver for USC in rout of WSU

Jaxson Dart has arrived.

The true freshman quarterback entered the game for an injured Kedon Slovis and set a USC record for passing yards in a debut, in USC’s 45-14 win against Washington State.

His 391 passing yards and four touchdowns led the way for the Trojans and helped mark a triumphant conclusion to an emotional week.

Dart called this week a “roller coaster.” Clay Helton was fired on Monday and replaced by Donte Williams. USC made its first road trip of the season. And Dart saw his first college action.

Dart entered the game to begin USC’s second possession, after Slovis was thrown down hard on a sack.

“Really I was just trying to lock in, don’t let my emotions get the most of me, kind of just stay in the moment,” Dart said.

There were two interceptions from Dart, but his talent and ability were on full display.

Over the course of eight possessions as the Trojans turned a 14-0 blowout into the lopsided final score, Dart led the USC offense to five touchdowns and a field goal, on 385 total yards.

“I’m really proud of Dart,” center Brett Neilon said. “He had a lot of confidence and it was actually kind of mind-boggling to see, as a true freshman, that type of confidence and that type of swagger, where he was like, ‘I’m going to make a play for you guys. Let’s do it.'”

The big offensive play

No offensive play meant more to USC than a 38-yard touchdown pass from Dart to Gary Bryant Jr. with 32 seconds left in the first half. It was the first score for the Trojans and really the first sign of life from the entire team.

Williams called timeout before the play, after the Trojans gained nine yard on a 3rd-and-18, and was thinking about sending Parker Lewis in to attempt a 55-yard field goal.

“And then Drake [London] came to me and said, ‘We’re going to kick a field goal!?'” Williams said. “And I said, you guys have told me you believe in me, and I believe in ya’ll. Let’s score. And shoot. We did.”

Halftime adjustments

Williams’ impact on the game didn’t end there. The Trojans were still down 14-7 at halftime and he was able to use his not-so-subtle power of persuasion during his halftime speech.

“Some of the things I said, I just can’t release,” Williams said with a smile. “But let’s just say that them dudes was ready to play in the second half.”

Ready to play is an understatement. USC’s defense held Washington State to -2 total yards in the third quarter, while recording three turnovers and two sacks. The Trojans outscored the Cougars 28-0, including a fumble recovery touchdown by Tuli Tuipulotu.

Between the 5:26 mark of the second quarter, and 6:12 left in the game — when the outcome had long been decided — the Washington State offense gained 27 total yards and recorded one first down.

“The guys played hard,” Williams said. “They came out after halftime and they played even harder. So that’s what I expect. That’s what this team expects.”

Williams said he could see the team was pressing early. He shook off any thoughts of there being tension on the sideline or worry about what was going on early in the game.

“Looking in some of these guys’ eyes, there was never nobody down, there was n ever nobody sad, nobody feeling sorry for themselves,” Williams said. “Everybody had their heads up and they were ready to play.”

USC’s first three sacks of the season came from Jackson, Kana’i Mauga and Jaylin Smith. The Trojans had six tackles for loss and two interceptions, by Calen Bullock and Jayden Williams.

Safety Micah Croom made a huge play with a forced fumble on the opening kickoff return of the second half. The Trojans marched down quickly to tie the game at 14.

London’s big day

Drake London set career highs with 13 receptions for 170 yards. He added two touchdowns and was again unstoppable for periods.

All told, 10 USC players caught passes, including Kyle Ford tacking on the final touchdown with a 36-yard grab.

London now has 29 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns through three games.

Up next

USC (2-1) heads back home to take on Oregon State (2-1) next Saturday, in a 7:30 pm game in the Coliseum.

Williams was non-specific in his answer to whether there will be a quarterback battle moving forward. Williams said every position is a battle.

As for Slovis’ status, Williams said: “He came down and hurt himself a little bit, but all I know is that he’ll be okay to practice this coming week and we’ll just take it from there.”