USC football: Trojans still struggling on third down

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USC defeated Washington State, 27-6, but the Trojans’ third-down struggles continued.

USC followed up a 0-for-10 third-down performance against Washington by converting only three of nine third-down opportunities against Washington State. “We won’t be able to hang in tough games with that execution,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

USC also came up empty on two fourth-down plays against the Cougars. A week earlier, the Trojans failed to convert their only fourth-down try when tailback Stafon Johnson fumbled.

-- Gary Klein