Sam Darnold and USC saw the possibility of beating Stanford for the second time in 2017 on Friday night. This time they meet in the Pac-12 championship on the line.
The USC Trojans Football grabbed a four-game winning streak into Friday night's final win over UCLA Downing 28-23 in November. 18. While Darnold did not give up to do a touchdown in this game, a very large part of the victory - and also Trojans hurdle - is often associated with Ronald Jones, who rused for almost 700 yards of the four games.
In the other of the field of side, Heisman hopeful Bryce Like is the last in the line of lights-out Cardinal running backs who does not look like they will earn the honor. The junior has rushed for almost two thausand yards this season and has reached pay dirt sixteen times on the ground, averaging 8.6 yards per carry.
Stanford's last loss came to USC Trojans Footbal Club on September. 9, back when Keller Chryst was still taking snaps. With the emergence of the quarterback K.J. Costello, Stanford could have enough offense to hang with the USC Trojans Football and avenge that 42-24 early-season loss.
9:38 HALFTIME: Stanford with that late score brings them back to within three, and they get the ball back after the break.
9:32 p.m. STANFORD SCORING PLAY: Cameron Scarlett powers into the end zone on a 1-yard TD run to bring the game within three points. 17-14 USC.
9:26 p.m.: Stanford is going in for a score. K.J. Costello hits Arcega-Whiteside for long gain. First-and-goal for Stanford.
9:15 p.m. USC SCORING PLAY: Darnold with a quick out to Tyler Vaughn, who makes a man miss and scampers to the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown. 17-7 USC.
9:14 p.m.: USC offense is starting to hum. Darnold hits Pittman for a big gain down the left sideline, then Jones breaks a long run. In the red zone again.
9:10 p.m.: Mental lapse from USC as they field a punt inside the 10-yard line rather than let it bounce. USC backed up against their end zone.
9:04 p.m.: Bryce Love limps off the field. He is dealing a high-ankle sprain.
9:00 p.m. USC SCORING PLAY: Chase McGrath nails a 24-yard field goal to up the Trojans up by three points. 10-7 USC, second quarter.
8:56 p.m.: More penalties as Stanford is flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. USC threatening, on the Stanford 9-yard line.
8:49 p.m.: Pretty sure we haven't played a minute without seeing a flag. Lots of laundry on the field tonight.
8:45 p.m. STANFORD SCORING PLAY: Bryce Love getting into his groove, as he scores on a 9-yard TD run to tie it up at the start of the second quarter. 7-7 all.
8:36 p.m.: Stanford driving, and Bryce Love hasn't been able to get it going yet. Just eight yards on three carries to this point. Almost at the end of the first quarter.
8:28 p.m. USC SCORING PLAY: Sam Darnold hits Michael Pittman for a 7-yard touchdown pass. 7-0 USC.
8:25 p.m.: On a fourth-and-6, Darnold scrambles for a first down. Escapes a collapsing pocket.
8:11 p.m.: USC drive stalls on the Stanford 48, as Darnold misses a throw on third-and-15. Stanford ball.
8:06 p.m.: First run of the game goes for 12 yards, courtesy of USC's Ronald Jones.
8:00 p.m.: Welcome to SN's live coverage of tonight's Pac-12 Championship game from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
7:45 p.m.: Almost game time from Santa Clara, Calif.
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