Caleb Williams shines as fears in excess of USC's defense linger in earn over Arizona Condition

The queries came bearing down on USC’s star quarterback like blitzing defenders, lingering all 7 days in the wake of his worst effectiveness yet as a Trojan: What particularly took place to Caleb Williams in Corvallis? And how may possibly he reply when faced with adversity for the initially time?

The answers would speak volumes as to wherever sixth-rated USC could wind up in the coming months. But his coaches and teammates experienced facet-stepped any such insinuations, shaking their heads at the pretty notion that Williams could falter. Nonetheless, by Saturday evening, all those lingering concerns from the Trojans’ slim gain at Oregon Condition remained unanswered by Williams, until the sophomore quarterback took it on himself to shrug them off.

Williams as soon as yet again was asked to mount escape just after escape Saturday in a 42-25 acquire in excess of Arizona Point out. This time, nevertheless, he put the overall crew on his back again to do so, dragging together an inconsistent Trojans protection, an iffy offensive line and a tranquil ground video game.

Williams spent most of Saturday night time on the run, halting and starting up, diving and darting earlier a single defender right after an additional. He threw 1 blitzing Sunshine Satan in excess of his shoulder and slipped previous the outstretched arms of innumerable far more. He threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns though incorporating 44 yards and a landing with his legs, largely because he had no other selection but to choose off.

The victory silenced any fears about Williams, all whilst elevating other inquiries about USC (5-, 3- Pac-12).

USC’s protection the moment once again remaining a lot to be wanted in a very first fifty percent in which Arizona State moved the ball up and down the Coliseum area at will. It clamped down just after halftime, permitting just a one landing drive and 113 yards ahead of securing the recreation with a Calen Bullock interception.

USC extensive receiver Mario Williams runs just after a catch against the Arizona Condition protection in the to start with quarter Saturday.

(Luis Sinco / VFAB)

But immediately after a powerful exhibiting that stored USC afloat in opposition to Oregon Point out, concerns about its defense really don't appear to be to be likely wherever — particularly with two of the Pac-12’s much more capable offenses on tap in the following two months.

A matchup with Arizona Condition seemed as excellent of a get-ideal prospect as any other in the Pac-12, with its mentor already fired and its period by now sliding into indifference.

Catastrophe just about struck on USC’s initial travel, as a third-down snap slipped as a result of Williams’ palms, forcing the quarterback to flee the pocket amid the chaos of a broken play. But Williams dodged 1 tackle, then another, just before scrambling for a privileged initially down.

It was a fitting get started as Williams continually located himself in compromising positions that he was compelled to escape. Additional generally than not, he managed to slip free of charge anyway, primary USC to a few touchdowns on its initially three possessions.

On that initially push, Williams completed his upcoming five passes after his near fumble, as USC’s offense drove the discipline with relative ease, capping it with a 1-garden speeding score from the quarterback.

USC wide receiver Jordan Addison indicators for a initial down right after building a catch towards Arizona Point out cornerback Timarcus Davis in the 3rd quarter Saturday.

(Luis Sinco / VFAB)

But Arizona State responded with an opening statement of its own, rolling above USC’s protection, as Emory Jones hit a wide-open up Xazavian Halladay streaking downfield for a 29-lawn touchdown. The simple score proved an ominous sign of what was to come for USC’s protection.

Arizona Condition did not allow Williams off as conveniently in subsequent drives. It ratcheted up the pressure, consistently disrupting his put in the pocket. Still, the Trojans quarterback usually proved far too slippery for the Solar Devils to handle. On just one 3rd down, he flipped a charging rusher over his shoulder, right before scampering to security past the initial-down marker. A couple of plays later, even though sprinting absent from stress, he fired a bullet to Mario Williams in the end zone for a seven-garden touchdown.

The strain ongoing to decide up as USC opened its next travel inside its possess 5-property line. Even now, Caleb Williams managed to continue to be upright amid the chaos right before delivering a leap move to Jordan Addison along the sideline. His escape the moment all over again bounce-started off a scoring push, this a single more than 10 performs and 94 yards, ending with a Malcolm Epps touchdown.

But each time Williams spun out of difficulties to guide the Trojans on a touchdown push, their defense offered its own troubling response. Like Caleb Williams, Jones slithered his way out of more than a couple of arm tackles, just one of which he barreled as a result of for a second-quarter score that slice USC’s lead to 4 just ahead of the fifty percent. He finished with 243 yards and two scores, 1 by the air.

Williams in the end was far too a great deal for Arizona Condition to tackle, even right after he handed more than the Trojans’ initially turnover of the year to the Sun Devils on an interception in the corner of the finish zone.

By then, nevertheless, the evident concerns by now had been answered, properly plenty of at minimum to leave Saturday with a fifth consecutive victory.