Utah takes down USC 41-28 to take back the lead in the Pac-12 South
by James Ellis
This game got off to a great start for the Trojans as they took a 14 point lead right out of the gate as J.T. Daniels hit Michael Pittman on a 34 yard pass that he took away from the Utah defenders. On the next drive, Tyler Huntley was sacked and fumbled as the Trojan defense was able to take the fumble back for six points to take a 14-0 lead. It looked as if the Trojans were going to just run away from the Utes. However, a much different ending was in the making, as Tyler Huntley led his offense to 34 unanswered points as Utah just dismantled USC all night, outgaining the Trojans by 350 yards.
The beginning of this game was eerily similar to the beginning of the Texas game earlier this season. The Trojans got off to a terrific start in getting out to a 14-0 lead. They were dominating the point of attack in the beginning of the game. The Trojan defensive line was in the Utah backfield for the entirety of the first quarter. After Tyler Huntley hit Britain Covey for a 46 yard touchdown, Utah just took over the game, scoring 34 consecutive points on the Trojan defense. Tyler Huntley had a career night as he had 374 total yards and five touchdowns to lead the Utes to a victory to take back the lead in the Southern division in the Pac-12.
After Jay Tufele took back Huntley’s fumble for six points in the first quarter, the entire USC team seemed to go stagnant. Tackling has been a problem for the Trojans all season, and tonight was no exception. All night, the USC defense seemed to have plays stopped in the Utah backfield, but they were not to be as both Huntley and Zach Moss just ran all over the Trojan defense all night long. USC may have lost their lead in the Pac-12 South, but they cannot afford another blemish on their record as their goal of a Pac-12 championship is not completely lost.
