09-10-2017, 05:16 AM
LOS ANGELES â Behind Sam Darnoldâs 316 yards passing and four scores, No. 5 Southern California defeated No. 14 Stanford 42-24 to justify the preseason hype. Here are three takeaways from the Trojansâ win:
This was against Stanfordâs defense
The Trojansâ first four scoring drives spanned 80 yards, 80 yards, 75 yards and 75 yards. Itâs rare to see an offense churn out extended drives against the Cardinalâs perennially elite defense. One week after struggling to put away Western Michigan, USC was clicking from the start â and despite two incredible interceptions by Stanfordâs secondary found little difficulty churning out yards on the ground and through the air.
Not that this is anything new. USC has won 11 games in a row dating to last season, with at least 400 yards of total offense in each win. But in a series that has recently gone Stanfordâs way â three wins in a row, each in suffocating fashion â to have its way with the Cardinalâs attack reveals something new about USC.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...650626001/
This was against Stanfordâs defense
The Trojansâ first four scoring drives spanned 80 yards, 80 yards, 75 yards and 75 yards. Itâs rare to see an offense churn out extended drives against the Cardinalâs perennially elite defense. One week after struggling to put away Western Michigan, USC was clicking from the start â and despite two incredible interceptions by Stanfordâs secondary found little difficulty churning out yards on the ground and through the air.
Not that this is anything new. USC has won 11 games in a row dating to last season, with at least 400 yards of total offense in each win. But in a series that has recently gone Stanfordâs way â three wins in a row, each in suffocating fashion â to have its way with the Cardinalâs attack reveals something new about USC.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...650626001/