Live game updates: USC 24, Arizona 21 (final)

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Marc Tyler is becoming an indispensable part of USC’s offense.

The junior tailback ran for 160 tough yards in 31 carries to lead the Trojans to a 24-21 win over No. 18 Arizona Saturday night at Arizona Stadium.

USC is 7-3 overall, 4-3 in Pacific 10 Conference play. Arizona is also 7-3, 4-3.

Arizona outgained the Trojans, 404 yards to 382, but USC had balance going for it.

The Trojans had 177 yards passing and 205 rushing while nearly all of Arizona’s yardage came through the air. Wildcats quarterback Nick Foles passed for 353 yards, completing 31 of 48 passes, but Arizona ran for only 51 yards.

Tyler pounded away at the Wildcats defense, averaging 5.2 yards a carry even while shaking off a troublesome ankle injury that briefly sidelined him late in the game.

Matt Barkley also had an efficient game for the Trojans, completing 21 of 35 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown with one interception. The interception--his fifth in three games--came when a late fourth-quarter pass to Jordan Cameron tipped off the receiver’s hands into the arms of Arizona’s Adam Hall.

USC survived a late rally by Arizona, which scored with 1 minute 1 second left in the game when David Douglas made a diving catch in the end zone over USC cornerback Shareece Wright. That cut the Trojans’ lead to 24-20.

USC’s Matt Kalil blocked the point-after kick, and Wright scooped it up and appeared on his way to the opposite end zone for a two-point run-back. But Wright was ruled off side on the play, and Arizona’s Alex Zendejas converted his second chance.

Zendejas then tried on onside kick, but reserve linebacker Ross Cumming covered it for USC.

USC continues Pac-10 play next Saturday at Oregon State, where the Trojans haven’t won since 2004.

USC 24, Arizona 14 (late third quarter)

Joe Houston has given USC some insurance, making a 30-yard field goal to close out a 15-play, 72-yard drive that ate up nearly seven minutes.

Matt Barkley completed four of six passes for 39 yards on the drive, and is 20 of 29 for 162 yards in the game.

Marc Tyler has 100 yards in 20 carries, including 21 in six carries on the drive.

-- Mike Hiserman

---

USC 21, Arizona 14 (halftime)

Arizona’s Travis Cobbis known more for his outstanding play as a kick-off returner, but he beat Trojans cornerback Shareece Wright for a 31-yard touchdown reception that pulled the Wildcats to within a touchdown.

Arizona has converted seven of eight third-down plays.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley is 15 of 20 for 124 yards and a touchdown. Marc Tyler has rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown in 14 carries.

Arizona’s Nick Foles has completed 16 of 21 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Terrence Miller has caught five passes for 88 yards.

--- USC 21, Arizona 7 (late in second quarter)

USC went methodical, taking nearly nine minutes to move 66 yards with a 17-play drive that featured a little bit of everything.

Tailback Marc Tyler continues to impress. He has gained 61 yards in 11 carries, including the three-yard touchdown run that capped the drive.

USC converted two fourth-down plays, the most impressive coming on Mitch Mustain‘s seven-yard pass to tight end Jordan Cameron. Mustain had lined up as the holder for a field-goal attempt, but stood and took the snap from the shotgun formation.

Matt Barkley has completed 14 of 15 passes for 101 yards.

Arizona helped keep the drive alive with a defensive holding penalty.

---

USC 14, Arizona 7 (early in second quarter)

Nick Foles leads the Pacific 10 Conference in passing yards per game -- and he’s looking the part.

Foles just drove the Wildcats 80 yards in nine plays to cut the Trojans’ lead in half. Foles’ six-yard touchdown pass to receiver David Douglas capped the drive.

Foles is 12 of 13 for 115 yards.

Terrence Miller has three receptions for 52 yards.

---

USC 14, Arizona 0 (end of first quarter)

USC cornerback Shareece Wright perfectly disguised a blitz, and then stripped the ball from Arizona quarterback Nick Foles on a sack.

Defensive tackle DaJohn Harris recovered the ball for the Trojans, who increased their lead on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Matt Barkley to tight end Rhett Ellison with 1:34 left in the quarter.

Tailback Dillon Baxter helped set up the touchdown with a 15-yard pass reception.

It’s the first time Arizona has given up more than 10 points in the first quarter.

Barkley has completed seven of eight passes for 71 yards.

---

USC 7, Arizona 0 (late in first quarter)

USC took advantage of a rare missed field-goal attempt by Arizona kicker Alex Zendejas to take the lead.

Zendejas had made 10 of 12 field goal attempts before he missed wide right from 34 yards while kicking into the wind. Nick Foles completed seven of eight passes for 45 yards during the opneing drive.

USC came back with an 80-yard, 10-play drive that quarterback Matt Barkley capped with a one-yard sneak.

Tailback Marc Tyler gained 35 yards in three carries and also caught a 16-yard pass.

---

It’s about 30 minutes before kickoff here at Arizona Stadium in Tucson and the temperature is starting to drop.

After a sunny day in the 70s, it could be in the 40s in the second half.

Students in Arizona’s ‘ZonaZoo’ section, gave USC players an earful during warmups.

Trojans safety Jawanza Starling, who has been nursing a hamstring injury, is not in uniform, so junior Marshall Jones will start.

-- Gary Klein