Final: Trojans remain undefeated - USC 30, Washington State 14
The USC Trojans (5-0, 3-0) look to keep their perfect season alive as they host the Washington State Cougars (4-1, 1-1) on Saturday evening.
Follow along with running game commentary. You can also visit and read the game thread on the WeAreSC Members Only message board.
Pregame
Washington State brings a potent passing game into the Coliseum, but the Trojans will counter with more than their share of talent at the receiver position in this one.
* USC linebacker Shane Lee is wearing a cast and not in uniform tonight.
* USC head coach Lincoln Riley expected tight end Lake McRee to be available after he missed the game against Arizona State due to injury. McRee is going through warmups in full uniform and looks available.
* Riley said wide receiver Terrell Bynum and offensive guard Justin Dedich would be game-time decisions this wee. Both missed last week’s game against Arizona State. Dedich is out early and looks to be moving much better than he was before last week’s game. Bynum is not on the field for warmups.
* Ralen Goforth is working alongside Eric Gentry at linebacker with the starters during 7-on-7 warmups.
* Dedich and Bobby Haskins are working with the first team offensive line during the 11-on-11 portion of warmups.
* Former USC safety Mark Carrier leads the team out of the tunnel tonight. Maybe a sign of a big game coming from current No. 7, safety Calen Bullock?
* Washington State wins the toss and elects to receive to start the game.
First Quarter
* USC forces a punt on WSU’s opening possession. The Trojans then score on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to Mario Williams on third-and-16. It’s 7-0 USC with 8:31 remaining in the first quarter.
* USC can’t convert inside the 10-yard line and Denis Lynch comes in to hit a 31-yard field goal. USC leads 10-0 with 3:32 left in the first quarter.
Second Quarter
* WSU quarterback Cameron Ward finds wide receiver Robert Ferrel for a 12-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. USC now leads 10-7 with 14:56 left in the first half.
* USC safety Calen Bullock has been ejected for targeting. He’ll miss the rest of the game.
* WSU gets into the endzone again. Ward hits running back Nakia Watson for a one-yard score. It’s 14-10 Washington State with 11:48 left in the first half.
* Travis Dye goes in from four yards out for a touchdown following a pass-interference call against WSU on a third-down incompletion. USC leads 17-14 with 2:10 left before halftime.
* USC nearly forces a safety on the final snap of the first half. Call on the field stands and the teams go into the locker room with USC leading 17-14.
Third Quarter
* After some good defensive play from both teams, Caleb Williams fires a strike to Mario Williams for a 24-yard touchdown. Williams makes a great sliding catch to bring the ball in and it stands up to video replay. It’s 24-14 USC with 5:17 remaining in the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter
* Denis Lynch connects again. He makes a 27-yard field goal to push USC’s lead to 27-14 with 9:09 remaining.
* Upon getting the ball back on offense, the Trojans march 51 yards in 11 plays to seal it with a 31-yard field goal by Denis Lunch. USC 30-14 with 2:08 remaining.
* Final score: USC 30, WSU 14
