The offense provided the final hit, the defense struck about every blow before that. USC overcame penalties, field position and a late fumble to beat Cal, 17-3, at the Coliseum on Saturday night.
Quarterback Mark Sanchez’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Ronald Johnson late in the fourth quarter sealed the victory for the Trojans, who led by a 10-3 margin for nearly three quarters.
Sanchez, despite being under pressure the entire night, managed not to throw an interception against a Cal defense that entered Saturday tied for the national lead in interceptions. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns.
Cal gained 27 rushing yards on 26 carries.
More from the USC blog:
- USC football: Report — Broderick Green to transfer
- USC football: Postgame fun facts from Trojans 17, Bears 3
Defend a victory? Did CAL defend their defeat? Did PSU defend why they were beaten by an un-ranked team? Did Alabama defend having to go into overtime to beat a 3-loss team?
Did CAL, with all their “great” runners defend 27 total rushing yards? Did CAL defend calling time out, then attempting a “Hail Mary” pass in the last 6 seconds - after Pete Carroll had decided not to score on CAL again?
Did UCLA, any of them, defend their 3-6 record to…anyone?
CAL couldn’t score a TD while giving up more offensive yards than to any other team this season. Did CAL defend that?
Case closed.