No. 24 Utah avoids upset with come-from-behind victory over USC

By
Justin Giles
-

With USC up 27-17 entering the fourth quarter and dominating for much of the game, it looked for a spit second that the Trojans were going to get back on track with a big road win against No. 24 Utah Friday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

But Utes quarterback Troy Williams didn’t let that happen as the junior from Carson, California threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter — including one with 16 seconds left in the game — as Utah came-from-behind to beat USC 31-27.

Williams, had extra motivation coming into the game growing up in Southern California. The junior quarterback — who lived just 15 miles from campus — was one of the top quarterbacks coming out of high school, but didn’t get any looks from the Trojans.

But at the end of the day, it was Williams who got the last laugh at the end of the day.

“USC, that’s my hometown,” said Williams. “Growing up watching Reggie Bush, Carson Palmer and Mike Williams and all those dudes, just sitting at home watching on TV and imagining maybe one day I’ll play with them or against them. Today was that day.”

Williams accounted for three touchdowns with one on the ground and two in the air to Tim Patrick and Raelon Singleton. Running back Zack Moss had a team-high 80 yards rushing on the ground.

USC, which made a quarterback change coming into the game, looks to have found its star in Sam Darnold who passed for 253 yards and ran for 41 on the ground and a touchdown.

USC’s Adoree Jackson returned a kickoff for a touchdown for the Trojans in the loss. It was his second kickoff return for a touchdown against the Utes.

Next Opponents

UTAH: The Utes will take on California (2-1, 0-0) next Saturday in Pac-12 play.

USC: For the first time since 2001, USC is off to a 1-3 start to the season. The Trojans will look to rebound at home against Arizona State (3-0, 0-0) next Saturday.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR