LIVE: Final - USC 42, ASU 28

The No. 5 USC Trojans (3-0, 1-0) are set to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils (1-2) at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona on Saturday night.

USC is coming off a bye week and appears rested and healthy for this one while Arizona State is battling injuries issues at a number of positions. That includes quarterback, where No. 1 option Jaden Rashada is sidelined for multiple weeks. The Sun Devils will go with Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne.

It’s safe to call this one an offensive mismatch. USC is averaging 59.3 points and 580.7 yards per game and is the No. 3 offense in the country. Arizona State is coming off a shutout loss to Fresno State, and is averaging 13 points and 292.7 yards per game. Arizona State possesses the No. 124 offense in the country.

Pregame

A couple of quick reads before this one gets going:

What to Watch: USC at Arizona State
Lincoln Riley talks Anthony Lucas’ development and USC’s leadership needs

USC’s hype video ahead of the Arizona State game

ain’t nobody doin’ it how we’re doin’ it 🔥🎬✌️#FridayNightHype pic.twitter.com/217GHwcfYS

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) September 23, 2023

*USC looks to have all anticipated starters on the field as the Trojans go through warmups.

* Former USC Trojan Devon Kennard is down on the sideline.

* Arizona State is expecting a sellout crowd, or at least close to it for this one. It’s ASU Family Weekend and the stadium is beginning to fill with more than an hour until kickoff.

* Sun Devil Source is reporting that Arizona State offensive line coach Saga Tuitele will not be with the team tonight due to a medical injury suffered Thursday.

* Looks like Mason Cobb and Tackett Curtis will get the start at the two inside linebacker positions based on pregame warmups.

First Quarter

Trojans will start with the ball after a touchback by ASU to open the game.

USC overcomes a 3rd-and-20 to drive the length of the field and score on a one-yard touchdown run by Caleb Williams. That’s his second rushing touchdown of the season. It’s 7-0 USC with 8:46 remaining in the first quarter.

* USC’s defense forces a three-and-out and gets the ball back on its own 17-yard line after a punt by ASU running back Cam Skattebo.

* Miscommunication on the handoff between Williams and MarShawn Lloyd and the ball drops in the backfield. ASU recovers at the USC 15-yard line.

* Skattebo runs it in from 15 yards out on third-and-ten and ties the score 7-7 with 6:57 remaining.

* Williams bails out something of a sloppy offensive drive by hitting Brenden Rice with a 43-yard deep ball on 4th-and-7. It’s 14-7 USC with 1:15 remaining in the first quarter.

Second Quarter

* ASU kicker Dario Longhetto hits a 35-yard field goal to cut the USC lead to 14-10 with 10:28 remaining in the second quarter.

* Caleb Williams tallies his second one-yard touchdown run of the game. This one comes on a quarterback sneak and it’s 21-10 USC with 8:29 left in the first half.

* Longhetto hits his second field goal of the game and it’s 21-13 USC with 2:21 remaining in the first half.

Halftime Stats

	USC	ASU
Points	21	13
Total Yds	268	136
Pass Yds	144	75
Rush Yds	124	61
Penalties	6-35	2-5
1st Downs	12	8
Avg Yds/Play	8.4	4.4
Turnovers	1	0
TOP	15:58	14:02

Caleb Williams – 11-for-15 for 144 yards and one touchdown passing. Seven carries for nine yards and two touchdowns rushing.

MarShawn Lloyd – Six carries for 62 yards

Brenden Rice – Three receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown.

Eric Gentry – Five tackles

Romello Height – One sack

Third Quarter

* USC forces a punt on the opening Arizona State drive of the second half. Trojans have the ball at their own 35-yard line.

* USC kicker Denis Lynch hits a 53-yard field goal to push the USC lead to 24-13 with 11:13 left in the third quarter.

* Drew Pyne finds Elijhah Badger for a 25-yard touchdown. Arizona State goes for a two-point conversion and gets it. It’s 24-21 USC with 9:25 left in the third quarter.

* Lynch connects from 36 yards out after an offensive pass interference penalty took a touchdown off the board. It’s 27-21 USC with 6:29 remaining in the third quarter.

* USC safety Calen Bullock skies over to intercept a deep shot by Pyne. That’s Bullock’s first interception of the season and brings the USC offense back onto the field at the Arizona State 42-yard line.

Fourth Quarter

* Williams buys time and finds Brenden Rice in the endzone for a 29-yard touchdown. It’s Williams’ second passing touchdown and fourth total touchdown of the game. He then finds Mario Williams for the two-point conversion. It’s 35-21 USC with 10:31 remaining in the game.

* Poor USC tackling allows Skattebo to get free down the sideline and scores on a 52-yard catch and run on a 4th-and-7 play. It’s 35-28 USC with 8:05 remaining in the game.

* Williams hits Tahj Washington deep down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown. He was forced out of bounds but came back in to haul it in. It’s Washington’s first catch of the game. USC pushes the lead to 42-28 with 7:17 remaining.

* USC closes this one out and wins at Arizona State, 42-28.