Eugene, OR

Apart from Matt Barkley, the defense and special teams also came up big in the No. 18 Southern California Trojans' thrilling victory over the fourth-ranked Oregon Ducks 38-35 Saturday night at Autzen Stadium.

Hayes Pullard was among those who stepped up for the stellar Southern California defense Saturday.

The USC freshman linebacker registered a team-high 14 tackles, including a sack, and forced a fumble in the victory.

Pullard's impressive outing outshone that of De'Anthony Thomas, his former teammate at Crenshaw High.

The Ducks' Thomas, last year's Los Angeles City Section player of the year, also had a good night as he recorded three yards rushing in three carries. He also had 49 yards and a TD in three receptions.

Thomas also had 162 yards in three kickoff returns, including a 96-yard sprint for a TD in the third quarter, which ignited the Oregon comeback.

USC erected a 21-7 halftime lead on Barkley's 59-yard scoring strike to Marqise Lee and two TD passes to Robert Woods.

The Trojans defense then forced Oregon to go three-and-out to open the second half, with T.J. McDonald helping put pressure on the Ducks by blocking a punt.

It led to Andre Heidari's 26-yard field goal that extended the Trojans lead to 24-7.

The Ducks faced a 38-20 deficit heading into the fourth quarter.

Entering the tilt, USC had allowed opponents an average of 24.8 ppg and 363.8 total ypg. It has given up 30 TDs to opposing offenses.

The Southern Cal run defense was also solid coming in Saturday, permitting a mere 3.5 ypc. It has posted 14 takeaways and 23 sacks.

On Saturday, the Trojans defense held LaMichael James to 78 yards rushing, less than half of his nation-leading 150-yard average.

James, one of Oregon's stars, entered the clash having rushed for 1,207 yards and 12 TD despite missing two contests and being limited in others.

The Trojans defense, led by the linebackers corps, continually put pressure on Ducks signal-caller Darron Thomas and forced three fumbles. Thomas threw for 265 yards and a score in the loss.

USC's stingy defense limited the Ducks to 209 yards. Oregon entered the tilt ranked fifth in the nation with nearly 292 rushing yards per game.

USC freshman Marcus Martin also had a strong outing at left guard and helped pave the way for a Trojans rushing attack that gained 139 yards. Martin, who is starting for USC, is an alumnus of Crenshaw.

Barkley connected on 26-of-24 passes for 323 yards and four TDs. His four-yard TD connection to Woods in second quarter was the 73rd in his career.

It enabled Barkley to move past Carson Palmer on USC's all-time list.

The current USC all-time record of 99 TD passes belongs to Matt Leinart.

 

 

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