USC defense helps dominate Cal in a 30-3 victory
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USC’s defense held its ground and the offense, behind 119 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Joe McKnight and 283 yards passing by Matt Barkley, did enough to easily handle No. 24 California, 30-3, on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley.
The seventh-ranked Trojans (4-1, 2-1 in Pac-10 play) held Golden Bears star running back Jahvid Best to 47 yards rushing in 14 carries and maintained a shutout until 10:45 remained in the game.
McKnight had a 38-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to open the scoring. It capped a drive that began when safety Taylor Mays intercepted a Kevin Riley pass in the end zone to stop one of Cal’s few scoring threats. McKnight closed the scoring with a five-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter after the Golden Bears had scored their only points.
Damian Williams returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to give USC a 17-0 lead. Jordan Congdon kicked three field goals to round out the scoring for the Trojans.
McKnight rushed 20 times for 119 yards. Barkley completed 20 of 35 passes with the one interception. Williams had eight receptions for 101 yards, and Allen Bradford picked up 53 yards in 12 carries.
Riley, who was under pressure on most of his attempts, completed only 15 of 40 passes for 198 yards with the one interception.
But Joe McKnight was stopped for a two-yard loss and Barkley misfired twice to bring on Congdon.
USC 17, California 0
Damian Williams returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown with 14:06 left in the first half to keep the Trojans rolling.
Cal looked as if it might turn the momentum after it stopped Trojans tailback Allen Bradford on a fourth-and-two play at the Golden Bears’ 39-yard line at the end of the first quarter.
But the Trojans forced a punt and Williams did the rest, breaking through the middle before sprinting to the left sideline and diving over the pylon for a touchdown.
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USC 10, California 0
USC’s offense is clicking.
Fullback Stanley Havili turned a 20-yard pass from Matt Barkley into a 56-yard gain, moving the ball into Bears’ territory and setting up Jordan Congdon’s 28-yard field goal.
Barkley also completed a 16-yard pass to receiver Damian Williams during a drive that stalled after a holding penalty.
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USC 7, California 0
All-American safety Taylor Mays intercepted a pass in the end zone on the opening possession, turning the momentum and helping the Trojans take an early lead on Joe McKnight’s 38-yard touchdown run.
Cal took the opening kickoff and looked like it was well on its way to taking an early lead as quarterback Kevin Riley completed consecutive passes of 22 and 21 yards after USC was called for a face-mask penalty.
But on third and goal from the five-yard line, Riley looked to his right and tried to find a receiver in the end zone. Mays, however, picked off the pass to end the threat.
It was the first interception thrown by Riley this season and the first interception by Mays since Oct. 6, 2007 against Stanford.
Matt Barkley’s 31-yard pass to tight end Anthony McCoy on third and nine keyed a six-play, 80-yard drive that McKnight ended with his touchdown run.
-- Gary Klein