NCAA Game Summary - USC at California
Berkeley, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - The USC Trojans easily defeated the California Golden Bears, 62-28, in a Pac-12 Conference tilt at Memorial Stadium thanks in large part to Nelson Agholor's two punt returns for touchdowns.
USC (7-3, 4-2 Pac-12) found no problems scoring on the Golden Bears Saturday. Cody Kessler was 14-of-17 through the air with 170 yards and two scores. Javorius Allen had only six carries but finished with a career-high 135 yards and two touchdowns while adding a 57-yard receiving score. Ty Isaac (11 carries, 87 yards, two TDs) was also effective on the ground, and De'von Flournoy led the Trojans with three catches and 63 yards.
The Golden Bears (1-9, 0-7) dismal season continued in the blowout defeat. Jared Goff had 255 yards and three touchdowns on 34-of-48 passing. Khalfani Muhammad had 61 yards and a touchdown on 10 rushing attempts. Kenny Lawler had six catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
The Trojans started the game out strong by scoring the first 21 points. A 75- yard punt return by Agholor got USC going less than two minutes into the game. Kessler followed that up with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Silas Redd with 5:05 left in the first quarter. A 43-yard touchdown run by Allen was the third score of the opening frame for the visitors.
The Golden Bears answered back in the second quarter. Goff hit Lawler on a four-yard touchdown toss to bring the game within 14.
Cal scored again after a three-and-out by the Trojans. Goff completed a 24-yard flea-flicker touchdown pass to Darius Powe to make the score 21-14 with 9:41 before the break.
The Trojans struck again on their next drive. Allen had another big play, this time through the air. The 57-yard touchdown pass from Kessler to Allen made the score 28-14.
The special teams for USC came up big once again. This time the visiting squad blocked a punt, which Josh Shaw returned 14 yards for the score.
Agholor returned yet another punt for a touchdown. This return went 93 yards to put the Trojans up 41-14 with 3:47 before the intermission.
Allen's big day continued in the second half. On the Trojans' second drive after halftime, Allen had a 79-yard touchdown run.
Isaac added a four-yard touchdown rush to put the Trojans up 55-14 with 7:22 left in the third stanza.
After five straight USC scores, Cal stopped the bleeding when Muhammad scored on a seven-yard touchdown rush to make the score 55-21.
Isaac had his second touchdown of the day with 10:34 left in the game, this time a 37-yard rush.
Goff connected with Lawler on a four-yard touchdown pass late in the game to close out the scoring.
USC is now 4-1 under Ed Orgeron since the school fired Lane Kiffin. USC hasn't lost to Cal since 2003.
Cal has lost eight straight games. The Golden Bears have not only failed to defeat an FBS team this season, but they have 14 straight losses to FBS opponents.