Trojans survive Cal fourth quarter challenge: USC 41, Cal 35

The No. 9 USC Trojans are set to host the California Golden Bears for Homecoming on Saturday night. Follow along with WeAreSC for live game updates. Also, check out the game thread on the WeAreSC Message Board to give your thoughts on the game and follow along with other Trojan fans.

Pregame

* Wide receivers Mario Williams and Jordan Addison are not in uniform for warmups and will not be available for the Trojans tonight. Linebackers Eric Gentry and Ralen Goforth did not dress for pregame warmups and will miss this game as well. All four of those players also missed last week’s game against Arizona.

* Offensive guard Andrew Vorhees is here in uniform and going through warmups. He missed last week’s game against Arizona.

* Catch up before the game with the USC Game Day Notebook, featuring looks at Alex Grinch and the USC defense, and Kyle Ford and Mason Murphy stepping up when opportunity arose.

* And The Huddle has all the names, news, notes and numbers you need to follow along tonight as the Trojans host the Golden Bears.

* Mason Murphy looks to be warming up to start at left tackle. He made the first start of his USC career last week at right tackle.

* Safety Bryson Shaw working with the first team defense during warmups. Shaw saw significant time last week in USC’s Dime package against Arizona. He recorded seven tackles and an interception on his way to Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.

First Quarter

* Cal takes its first possession 76 yards in five plays for a quick score. Very poor tackling and angles taken by the USC defense. It’s 7-0 Cal with 10:39 left in the first quarter.

* USC offense wakes up after a punt on its first drive. Trojans go 72 yards in 10 plays, sparked by some quick, short passes to open the drive. Caleb Williams pushes into the endzone on a quarterback sneak. Extra point is no good after a high snap gets away. It’s 7-6 Cal with 5:58 left in the first quarter.

Second Quarter

* USC goes 58 yards in seven plays and caps off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run by Travis Dye. It’s 13-7 USC with 11:44 left in the first half. Dye makes it eight games in a row with a rushing touchdown.

*Calen Bullock picks off a pass and USC takes advantage with a long pass to Tahj Washington and short touchdown throw from Williams to Michael Jackson III. It’s 20-7 USC with 53 seconds left in the half.

Third Quarter

* USC forces a three-and-out to open the second half and then goes 70 yards in five plays. Trojans score on a 59-yard touchdown catch and run by Michael Jackson III. The receiver takes a quick screen, breaks a tackle and runs the rest of the way. It’s 27-7 USC with 11:00 left in the third quarter.

* Cal uses a 58-yard pass to get into the redzone and finishes the drive with a two-yard touchdown pass from Jack Plummer to Monroe Young. That makes the score 27-14 USC with 7:27 remaining in the third quarter.

* Caleb Williams throws his third touchdown pass of the game. This one goes eight yards to Tahj Washington and boosts the USC lead to 34-14 with 1:18 left in the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

* USC blows a coverage and Cal wide receiver Mavin Anderson is left wide open for a 47-yard touchdown. USC is ahead 34-21 with 12:56 left in the game.

* Cal recovers an onside kick and goes 52 yards in 10 plays. Plummer hits Jeremiah Hunter for a three-yard score. Golden Bears cut the Trojans’ lead to 34-27 with 9:00 remaining. USC’s Nick Figueroa blocked the extra point.

* Williams throws his fourth touchdown pass of the game. This one goes two yards to tight end Lake McRee. It’s 41-27 USC with 5:34 remaining in the game.

* Cal marches back on the next drive scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run by Cal RB Jaydn Ott with 2:31 remaining. Bears 2-point conversion is good on a run. Drive is 12 plays for 85 yards. Score: USC 41-35.

* Trojans recover onside kick by Kyron Hudson on the Bears 48.

* Troy’s Caleb Williams carries for a first down down to the Cal 28 with 2:31 remaining. Bears use last timeout.

* Trojans run out the clock for a 41-35 victory.