MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

(Los Angeles) – Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr’s pass fell incomplete in the end zone on fourth down with 39 seconds left and only then could USC celebrate a 25-21 win over the Huskies Saturday before 59, 136 fans at the LA Memorial Coliseum.

Washington took possession of the ball with over five minutes remaining and drove all the way down to the USC 18-yard line before the Trojans came up with the stop. On fourth and two Williams hit Chris Lawson for 43 yards down to the USC 30 to keep the drive alive.

USC had to rally to get the job done. The Trojans found themselves down 21-16 late in the third quarter when the defense made a big play. Elijah Newby hit Williams, the ball popped loose and Jahkeem Stewart scooped it up and rumbled 48 yards for a touchdown to put USC up 22-21. A two-point conversion attempt failed but the Trojans had the lead.

Kayden Chittenden booted a 39-yard field goal with 9:36 in the fourth quarter to make it 25-21 and USC held for dear life the rest of the way.

Chittenden got USC on the board first when he kicked a 26-yard field goal on USC’s first possession. The Trojans worked their way deep into Washington territory courtesy of a 35-yard run by King Miller down to the Huskies 13-yard line.

It was a near disaster for the Trojans on the next series when Washington punted and Terrell Anderson muffed the punt at the one-yard line. However, after an officials review it was ruled that the Trojans recovered it. USC was forced to punt after going three and out and the Huskies took advantage of the short field.

Washington marched 41 yards on eight plays. The Huskies used a little trickery when wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck hit Baron Naone on a five-yard touchdown pass with 1:46 left in the first quarter to take a 7-3 lead.

On the next possession Jayden Maiava was picked off by Rylon Dillard-Allen at the Washington 19 early in the second quarter. However, it didn’t hurt USC as Washington went three and out.

USC then pieced together a five-play, 61-yard scoring drive. Waymond Jordan finished it with an eight-yard and a 10-7 lead with 9:58 left in the second quarter.

The Trojans had two illegal formation penalties on the same series. The second one nullified a touchdown pass from Maiava to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt later in the second.

After the USC score was called back Washington marched 80 yards on 10 plays. Kade Eldridge slammed in from the one-yard line to give the Huskies a 14-10 lead with 1:50 left in the first half.

Washington took the four-point lead into halftime.

After USC went three and out to begin the third quarter Washington went to work again. Former Glendora star Decker DeGraaf hauled in a 42-yard touchdown pass from Demond Williams Jr. shredding tacklers along the way. The Huskies only needed two plays to score after the Trojans punted. Washington was up 21-10 with 13:30 left in the third quarter and the Trojan faithful began to express their displeasure.

USC answered with a 13-play, 75-yard drive. Maiava hit Tanook Hines in the corner of the end zone for a 10-yard score. The two-point conversion failed and the Trojans were down 21-16 with 6:30 left in the third.

The defense then made the biggest play of the day courtesy of Newby and Stewart and the Trojans were back in business and up by one.

Chittenden’s field goal gave them some breathing room and the defense rose up and ultimately sealed the win.

For USC Maiava completed 21 of 34 for 245 yards and a touchdown with the interception. Zacharyus Williams had four catches for 78 yards and Hines caught five for 51 and a score. Miller ran for 81 yards on 18 carries and Jordan had 11 rushes for 36 yards and a touchdown.

For Washington Williams went 15-26 for 198 yards and a touchdown. Lawson had five receptions for 82 yards and DeGraaf, representing Glendora, hauled in two catches for 49 yards and a touchdown.

USC improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten. Washington fell to 3-2 and 0-2.

UW 7 7 7 0 21

SC 3 7 12 3 25