USC's protection bites back again in get over Fresno Condition that moves No. 7 Trojans to 3-

Soon after two weeks of bending and bending and bending some much more, it seemed only a issue of time in advance of USC’s discomfiting protection could lastly crack, leaving Caleb Williams and their electrifying counterparts to bail out the Trojans on their have.

The chance loomed like a dark cloud about an impossibly bright start to the season for USC, creeping into each and every conversation about the Trojans’ trajectory, a caveat it had still to counter.

All those worries crept back again into the Coliseum all over USC’s 45-17 victory on Saturday night time, even as the Trojans saved a mainly snug lead in the course of. They rolled in as Fresno Condition flew up and down the industry for 421 yards and reverberated as Bulldog working backs burst through significant holes in the USC entrance.

But all over again, that dark cloud was whisked absent before the Trojans uncovered on their own in as well dire of straits. This time, having said that, it wasn’t just Williams who whisked USC out of hazard.

This time, USC’s protection wouldn’t need four takeaways to do its part.

The Trojans even now additional two much more turnovers to their heaping, early-season pile. But their most encouraging moments arrived at the most crucial junctures Saturday, just as Fresno Point out threatened to crack the sport open up.

Twice in the second fifty percent, the Bulldogs appeared primed to force their way back in the game, only to be thwarted by massive plays from USC’s protection.

The to start with arrived from hurry conclude Solomon Byrd, who burst all around the edge on the 1st possession of the second 50 % and slammed Fresno Point out quarterback Jake Haener to the grass, forcing a sack-fumble that would knock Haener out of the game.

Three performs later, the Trojans scored on a 23-garden operate from Travis Dye, pushing their direct to 18.

From there, USC’s defense allowed just a solitary score from a Fresno Condition offense that came into Saturday as one particular of the most prolific in university football by means of two months. It halted just one push with a 3rd-down sack from Brandon Pili and one more from Tuli Tuipulotu. It even added a closing purpose-line stand at the a person-yard-line for good measure.

USC jogging back again Austin Jones breaks absent for a 44-yard obtain towards Fresno Condition. He completed with 110 yards and a landing in 12 carries.

(Luis Sinco/VFAB)

It was nevertheless much from ideal on that conclusion. But as USC rolled to a third straight victory to open up its period, it could rest quick recognizing its protection was nowhere near to breaking. Not nevertheless, at minimum.

A further potent efficiency from Williams definitely aided issues. The quarterback finished with 284 yards and two touchdowns by way of the air, though adding two far more on the ground. The Trojans also boasted two 100-property rushers, as Travis Dye and Austin Jones rolled above the Fresno entrance, including a landing apiece.

The protection experienced the benefit of another blazing start from individuals playmakers, as USC scored touchdowns on each and every of its initially three belongings for the third straight 7 days.

Just like previous 7 days — and the 7 days just before that — USC marched down the field on its opening generate and created an early statement. Dye received the Trojans offense off the floor, tallying 42 yards with his first four carries. Williams accomplished two tightly protected passes to convert two third-and-longs on USC’s 1st possession, in advance of obtaining Jordan Addison in the end zone for a three-garden score, Addison’s fifth in just 9 quarters for USC.

Williams punctuated the Trojans’ upcoming vacation with a landing, faking a handoff in advance of scampering 8 yards to give USC an early 14-position direct and Williams his first rushing rating of the time. He included a different on the following possession, supplying USC’s quarterback his very first multi-rating sport on the floor.

But the extra amazing early statement arrived on Fresno State’s very first generate, as USC’s defense pressured an immediate a few-and-out, environment a powerful tone it hoped would keep for the relaxation of the night time.

Instead it lasted all of 1 possession, as Fresno State took just five plays on the up coming travel to uncover its way into the pink zone. It wouldn’t get much even more than that, as USC’s protection after yet again stood tall with its again from the end zone, stopping the Bulldogs on a few consecutive plays inside of the 10 to force a discipline target.

The defense would not fare so very well on its upcoming try, as Fresno State flew down the area yet again, this time discovering the conclude zone in fewer than 90 seconds.

Two performs later on, USC uncovered by itself appropriate back in the pink zone.

This time, it couldn’t transform, as Williams was scrambling for pricey life in the pocket, prior to he was sacked outside of discipline-aim range.

But USC returned to its significant-traveling approaches after the fifty percent, although its protection did its most effective just to cling on.

This time, the Trojans were guaranteed to cling limited.

Bobby Haskins commences

After two straight Saturdays of splitting snaps involving its prime two tackles, USC mainly stuck with one still left deal with in opposition to Fresno Condition, as Bobby Haskins stepped in for an wounded Courtland Ford as the complete-time blindside protector.

Ford was dressed Saturday, but eventually sat out as he continues to get better from an hurt ankle.

It seemed like USC might also shed Haskins as the senior deal with still left the activity briefly in the second quarter, clutching his still left shoulder.

Redshirt freshman Mason Murphy took his put and proceeded to give up a sack on his very first perform. On the pursuing generate, Haskins returned.

Ford should really return before long plenty of. Whether or not he’ll supplant Haskins when he does continues to be to be found.