Trojans rally for win at Ohio State, 18-15
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With an 86-yard drive for a touchdown in the final minutes, No. 3-ranked USC has defeated No. 8 Ohio State, 18-15, before a record crowd of 106,033 at Ohio Stadium.
Stafon Johnson scored the game-winning touchdown on a three-yard run with 1 minute 5 seconds left on the clock.
The drive consisted of 14 plays -- seven of them either runs or receptions by Joe McKnight. Freshman Matt Barkley was solid in the clutch, completing three of five passes on the drive and converting twice on quarterback sneaks for first downs. He also connected with McKnight on a two-point conversion after the touchdown.
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USC has taken an 18-15 lead over Ohio State with 1 minute 5 seconds left to play.
The Trojans drove 86 yards in 14 plays, with Stafon Johnson scoring from three yards out. USC then scored on a two-point conversion, with Matt Barkley hitting Joe McKnight on a swing pass.
USC’s march didn’t start well, as McKnight missed a block that resulted in Barkley being sacked back at the USC 10.
However, McKnight more than made up for the mistake, running or making receptions on seven plays during the scoring march. Barkley, a freshman, also sneaked ahead for first downs twice -- including on a fourth-down-and-one play with 3:38 left.
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USC, trailing 15-10, has driven from its own 14-yard line to inside the Ohio State 5 with a little more than a minute left in the game.
There have been 13 plays on the march -- seven either runs or receptions by Joe McKnight -- including two quarterback sneaks by freshman Matt Barkley for first downs.
-- Mike Hiserman
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USC’s final possession of the third quarter started pretty well with Joe McKnight turning a short pass into a 25-yard gain.
But USC’s drive stalled near midfield and Matt Barkley appeared to hurt his hand when he was hit by defensive back Chimdi Chekwa and defensive lineman Nathan Williams. The Trojans called timeout to assess Barkley’s condition and he returned.
But USC was forced to punt and the third quarter ended with Ohio State ahead, 15-10.