MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

(Los Angeles) – Caleb Williams ran in the two-point conversion in the third overtime to lift USC to a 43-41 victory over Arizona Saturday night before 62,916 fans at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Williams beat the Arizona defender to the corner and then stretched his arm over the pylon to give the Trojans the lead. The USC defense then denied the Wildcats’ two-point attempt tackling the ball carrier for a loss and the Coliseum faithful erupted.

The Trojans had a golden opportunity to win it in regulation after Arizona’s Tyler Loop missed a 50-yard field goal with 2:08 remaining. They moved the ball deep down into Arizona territory and Denis Lynch lined up for a 23-yard field goal with four seconds left and the scored tied at 28. But the snap was high and Lynch never got the kick off and the game went into overtime.

Williams scored on an 18-yard run and Lynch drilled the extra point in the first overtime. But Jacob Cowing caught a 25-yard strike from Noah Fafita for Arizona and the kick tied it.

In the second OT Cowing again caught a touchdown pass-this one from eight yards out but USC countered with an 11-yard touchdown run by Austin Jones. Both teams missed the required two-point conversion attempts.

USC finally won it in the third overtime as both teams were required to run two-point conversions. Williams succeeded and Arizona did not.

USC had to rally from a 17-point early deficit to even get to that point.

USC went three and out on its first possession and the Wildcats scored first as they drove down to the Trojans eight-yard line before being stopped. Tyler Loop booted a 23-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

On Arizona’s next possession Cowing caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Fifita to cap a 10-play, 64-yard drive to put Arizona up 10-0.

The Wildcats were right back at it on their next series. They drove 92 yards on 11 plays with Fifita hitting Tanner McLachlan for an 18-yard score and a 17-0 Arizona lead early in the second quarter.

USC’s Jacobe Covington intercepted Fifita and returned it to the Arizona 12-yard line. That set up a three-yard touchdown run by Williams to cut the Wildcats lead to 17-7 with 9:43 left in the second quarter.

Kyron Hudson hauled in a six-yard touchdown pass from Williams to complete a six-play, 65-yard drive with two seconds left in the first half. The score was set up by a 31-yard pass to Brenden Rice down to the Arizona 12-yard line.

Arizona took the 17-14 lead into the half.

Arizona moved the ball down to the Trojans five-yard line to open the third quarter but the drive was halted there. Loop kicked a 22-yard field goal to make it 20-14.

USC took its first lead of the game with 5:44 left in the third quarter. Marshawn Lloyd scored on a nine-yard run to cap a 75-yard drive and with a Lynch extra point the Trojans were up 21-20.

Williams scored on a one-yard run early in the fourth quarter to finish a 75-yard drive to extend the Trojans advantage to 28-20.

The Wildcats marched 75 yards on 10 plays. Fifita hit Cowing on a three-yard touchdown pass and then found Tetairoa McMillan in the endzone for the two-point conversion. The game was tied at 28 with 8:17 left in the fourth quarter.

And then the madness ensued before Williams finally iced it. Although he started slow Williams had another big night. He completed 14 of 25 for 219 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 41 yards and three scores on 12 carries. Rice caught four passes for 96 yards.

For Arizona Fafita was 25 of 35 for 303 yards and five touchdowns with an interception. Cowing had 10 receptions for 88 yards and four TDs. Jonah Coleman had 22 carries for 143 yards to lead the rushing attack.

USC stayed unbeaten with the victory improving to 6-0 while Arizona dropped to 3-3 with the heartbreaking loss.