Trojans dominate fourth quarter to beat Minnesota
Minnesota Sports- Robert Woods' 97-yard kickoff return in the third quarter began a string of 19 straight Trojans points, as 18th-ranked Southern California survived Minnesota, 32-21 at TCF Stadium
Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Robert Woods' 97-yard kickoff return in the third quarter began a string of 19 straight Trojans points, as 18th-ranked Southern California survived Minnesota, 32-21.
Allen Bradford carried the load in the running game, amassing 131 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries for USC (3-0), which was coming off a lackluster 17-14 win over Virginia last week.
Matt Barkley had another mediocre game behind center, completing 17-of-26 passes for 192 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the win.
The Trojans' defense held Minnesota (1-2) to 307 total yards, with Adam Weber completing only 15-of-29 throws for 224 yards with two TDs and two picks in defeat, the Golden Gophers' second straight.
The Trojans, holding a precarious 13-7 lead, quickly moved into Minnesota territory on the first touch of the second half. However, a personal foul penalty wiped out a first-down completion, and James Manuel picked off Barkley on the next play at the Minnesota 35.
After converting two third downs on the ensuing possession, Weber connected with Da'Jon McKnight on 3rd-and-10 for a go-ahead 31-yard scoring strike despite tight coverage along the left sideline.
The lead didn't last long, as Woods hit a huge hole on the kickoff return and went 97 yards untouched the other way with 5:35 left in the third. Barkley's two-point pass fell incomplete.
The Gophers went three-and-out, and USC held the ball for the next five minutes. On the fourth play of the final stanza, David Ausberry got open thanks to a Barkley pump fake and hauled in a 21-yard toss in the end zone for a 26-14 cushion.
Following another unsuccessful Minnesota drive, Bradford rushed right up the middle and made his way to the left sideline en route to a 56-yard jaunt to paydirt with 8 1/2 minutes left, all but sealing the outcome in favor of the visitors.
Weber connected with MarQueis Gray on a meaningless 22-yard touchdown pass in the final minute.
Tags: minnesota sports, gophers football, proam, football
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