USC 7, Utah 7 (10:11 left in the first quarter)
USC starts on its own 25-yard line.
Cody Kessler hands off to Javorius Allen on three consecutive plays and Allen gains a first down.
Kessler throws to a wide-open Nelson Agholor for an 18-yard gain.
Tight end sighting early in the game for USC as Kessler completes a 21-yard pass to Randall Telfer.
Freshman offensive guard Viane Talamaivao is called for a false start. It’s a loud environment at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Kessler completes a 15-yard pass to JuJu Smith, but takes a huge hit. He stayed down on the turf and walked off the field. It appeared the wind was knocked out of him.
Backup quarterback Max Browne is in. Browne throws to the back of the endzone for Bryce Dixon, but the pass is batted down.
Left tackle Chad Wheeler is down on the field after the play. This cannot be close to how USC wanted to start at Utah.
Kessler missed just one play and is back in at quarterback. USC has second and goal at the seven yard line.
Tailback Javorius Allen is dropped for a loss of three yards.
Kessler throws to JuJu Smith for a touchdown.
Andre Heidari’s extra point is good.
—
Utah 7, USC 0 (14:23 left in the first quarter)
Utah won the toss and deferred to the second half.
USC will start on its own 25-yard line.
Quarterback Cody Kessler starts the game throwing the ball, a 23-yard completion to JuJu Smith.
Kessler follows with a lateral pass to Darreus Rogers who bobbles and drops the pass.
And there is a major USC miscue, Utah picks up the ball and returns it for a touchdown.
Officials review the play and the call stands. Utah touchdown on a 53-yard return, DeVion Orphey.
Reminds me of two seasons ago, when USC center Khaled Holmes made a ban snap the second play of the game to Matt Barkley — Utah picked it up and scored.
—
USC announced its starting lineups.
On offense: Quarterback Cody Kessler, fullback Jahleel Pinner, tight end Randall Telfer, tailback Javorius Allen, receivers Nelson Agholor and JuJu Smith and offensive linemen Chad Wheeler, Toa Lobendahn, Max Tuerk, Viane Talamaivao and Zach Banner.
On defense: Linemen Leonard Williams, Antwaun Woods and Delvon Simmons, outside linebackers Su’a Cravens and J.R. Tavai, inside linebackers Anthony Sarao and Hayes Pullard, cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson and Kevon Seymour, and safeties John Plattenburg and Leon McQuay III.
Receiver George Farmer (hamstring), safety Gerald Bowman (foot) and fullback Soma Vainuku (hamstring) did not make the trip.
Pregame chat
It’s about 40 minutes before kickoff here at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Columnist Bill Plaschke is here to help cover the Trojans.
Gary Klein: Hey Bill, haven’t seen you for awhile. Good to see you again.
Bill Plaschke: Great to be back with USC after spending time with the Dodgers and UCLA, both of whom lost the last time I was with them. Are the Trojans going to break my losing streak?
GK: Utah looked like it was going to be a very tough opponent, what with a victory over UCLA at the Rose Bowl…
BP: Stop right there, I know what you’re getting ready to say … aw, heck, just say it.
GK: But then the Bruins barely hung on against Colorado.
BP: But you still haven’t addressed the biggest question tonight here at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
GK: What’s that?
BP: Where’s Lindsey?
GK: Indomitable USC blogger Lindsey Thiry will be monitoring the game from Los Angeles. Unfortunately, we all won’t be able to do a 1 a.m. postgame video from the field.
BP: That’s unfortunate?
GK: You were here two years ago. What do you remember about that game?
BP: I remember a great crowd, a big Utah start, but then the Trojans just wore them down. Better athletes, more skilled. I’m thinking that’s what going to happen tonight?
GK: It should be noted that this is a blackout game for the Utes and their fans. And I’m happy to report that Bill is decked out in a black shirt, black pants, black shoes and a black coat. You’re in the spirit.
BP: So says the guy in the black sweater.
GK: OK, the Trojans are wearing their shiny metallic-tinged helmets again. You have not seen those in person, right?
BP: Actually, I have seen Lindsey wearing one.
GK: Who wore it better? Lindsey or the Trojans?
BP: I think it looks better on Cody Kessler, although last week, anything would have looked good on him. Will his hot streak continue tonight?
GK: I think Steve Sarkisian reins it in a bit tonight and puts the load on tailback Javorius Allen and the running game.
BP: That would be smart because Utah leads the nation in sacks.
GK: But remember, 10 of those came against UCLA.
BP: Here we go again with the Bruin bashing. Hey, the Lakers used to win double-overtime games in Colorado all the time, and we didn’t bash them.
GK: No one is bashing the Bruins. All right, what’s the final score tonight?
BP: I think the Trojans win, 21-17, but can I call Lindsey and confirm that?
GK: I think the Trojans win. I’ll ask Lindsey to tweet her prediction.
BP: We can discuss this later at the Salt Lake City Denny’s at 2 a.m.
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times
