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No. 20 USC rallies to stun Arizona State in opener – Daily NewsSkip to content
USC receiver Drake London catches a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter in front of Arizona State’s Kejuan Markham (#12) and Kyle Soelle (#34) during the Trojans’ 28-27 comeback victory at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
If you watched the first 57 minutes and eight seconds of USC’s game against Arizona State, how could you possibly predict how the next 92 seconds were about the unfold?
The Sun Devil defense had stymied No. 20 USC, limiting the Trojans to 14 points to go with four turnovers, none seemingly more costly than running back Markese Stepp’s fumble deep in ASU territory late in the fourth quarter. The Trojans trailed by 13 and appeared destined for an embarrassing loss to open the abridged 2020 season.
But quarterback Kedon Slovis threw two fourth-down touchdowns sandwiched around an onside kick recovery to deliver USC an improbable 28-27 win.
“It reminds you of 2020, doesn’t it?,” head coach Clay Helton asked reporters. “A year of adversity and finding a way to overcome hard situations.”
On the first of the two improbable scoring plays, USC faced fourth-and-13. The Trojans drew Arizona State offsides and had a free play. Slovis tried to throw the ball to the end zone to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who would finish the game with 100 yards on seven receptions.
USC receiver Drake London catches a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter in front of Arizona State’s Kejuan Markham (#12) and Kyle Soelle (#34) during the Trojans’ 28-27 comeback victory at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans passes against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back DeaMonte Trayanum #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils runs for yardage against the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans scrambles against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans scrambles against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans passes against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans passes against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 28-27v during a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Offensive lineman Kellen Diesch #74 walks off the field with teammate offensive lineman Ben Scott #66 of the Arizona State Sun Devils as the USC Trojans defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 28-27 during a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Herm Edwards, left, of the Arizona State Sun Devils hugs Head Coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans after USC Trojans defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 28-27v during a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans looks on against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Place kicker Parker Lewis #48 of the USC Trojans Minsk the extra and go ahead point against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cornerback Chris Steele #8 of the USC Trojans knocks away a pass interned for wide receiver Geordon Porter #6 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cornerback Chris Steele #8 of the USC Trojans reacts after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils 28-27v during a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall #19 of the Arizona State Sun Devils mishandles an onside kick as USC Trojans recovers the football in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Drake London #15 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a touch down in front of defensive back Kejuan Markham #12 and linebacker Kyle Soelle #34 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans goes for the extra point after a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils to tie the game in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Drake London #15 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a touch down in front of defensive back Kejuan Markham #12 and linebacker Kyle Soelle #34 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Drake London #15 of the USC Trojans reacts after catching a pass for a touch down against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Drake London #15 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a touch down in front of defensive back Kejuan Markham #12 and linebacker Kyle Soelle #34 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall #19 of the Arizona State Sun Devils mishandles an onside kick as USC Trojans recovers the football in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Drake London #15 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a touch down in front of defensive back Kejuan Markham #12 and linebacker Kyle Soelle #34 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall #19 of the Arizona State Sun Devils mishandles an onside kick as USC Trojans recovers the football in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 of the USC Trojans can???t reach a pass in the end zone between defensive back DeAndre Pierce #2 and defensive back Timarcus Davis #6 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Bru McCoy #4 of the USC Trojans reacts after catching a pass for a touchdown that was tipped by teammate wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 as defensive back Timarcus Davis #6 of the Arizona State Sun Devils walks toward his bench in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Bru McCoy #4 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a touchdown that was tipped by teammate wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 has he was tackled by defensive back DeAndre Pierce #2 and defensive back Timarcus Davis #6 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive lineman Jermayne Lole #90 of the Arizona State Sun Devils sacks quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall #19 of the Arizona State Sun Devils mishandles an onside kick as USC Trojans recovers the football in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall #19 of the Arizona State Sun Devils mishandles an onside kick as USC Trojans recovers the football in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Bru McCoy #4 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a touchdown that was tipped by teammate wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 has he was tackled by defensive back DeAndre Pierce #2 and defensive back Timarcus Davis #6 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive lineman Jermayne Lole #90 of the Arizona State Sun Devils sacks quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall #19 of the Arizona State Sun Devils mishandles an onside kick as USC Trojans recovers the football in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a first down against Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans v. Arizona State Sun Devils playing in an empty stadium in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
A flyover prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a first down against Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Drake London #15 of the USC Trojans catches a pass fora first down against Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC auarterback Kedon Slovis passes against Arizona State in the first half of the Trojans’ 28-27 comeback victory at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Jayden Daniels #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils passes against USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
A flyover prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Jayden Daniels #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils passes against USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 of the USC Trojans can???t reach a pass over defensive back Jack Jones #0 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans fan photo cut outs during a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans scrambles against Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
safety Isaiah Pola-Mao #21 of the USC Trojans recovers a fumble by Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a first down against Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans passes against Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back DeaMonte Trayanum #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils runs for a touch down the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Jayden Daniels #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils scrambles against USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans passes against Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Stephen Carr #7 of the USC Trojans runs for yardage against Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Jayden Daniels #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils scrambles against USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Drake London #15 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a first down over defensive back DeAndre Pierce #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back DeaMonte Trayanum #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils runs for a touch down the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Stephen Carr #7 of the USC Trojans runs for yardage against Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 of the USC Trojans can???t hold onto pass over defensive back Jack Jones #0 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 of the USC Trojans can???t hold onto pass over defensive back Jack Jones #0 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Drake London #15 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a first down over defensive back DeAndre Pierce #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Vavae Malepeai #29 of the USC Trojans runs for yardage against linebacker Merlin Robertson #8 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Vavae Malepeai #29 of the USC Trojans runs for yardage against linebacker Merlin Robertson #8 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Rachaad White #3 of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts after running for a touch down against safety Talanoa Hufanga #15 of the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans looks on as Arizona State Sun Devils scores in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Drake London #15 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a first down over defensive back DeAndre Pierce #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Markese Stepp #30 of the USC Trojans dives for the touch down against Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Stephen Carr #7 of the USC Trojans runs for yardage against defensive back Jordan Clark #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Linebacker Merlin Robertson #8 of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts after intercepting a pass intended for tight end Jake Ray #18 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Rachaad White #3 of the Arizona State Sun Devils dives for the touch down against safety Talanoa Hufanga #15 of the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Rachaad White #3 of the Arizona State Sun Devils dives for the touch down against safety Talanoa Hufanga #15 of the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Rachaad White #3 of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts after running for a touch down against safety Talanoa Hufanga #15 of the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Linebacker Merlin Robertson #8 of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts after intercepting a pass intended for tight end Jake Ray #18 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Rachaad White #3 of the Arizona State Sun Devils runs for a touch down against safety Talanoa Hufanga #15 of the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Rachaad White #3 of the Arizona State Sun Devils runs for a touch down against safety Talanoa Hufanga #15 of the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans scrambles against Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans passes against Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Linebacker Merlin Robertson #8 of the Arizona State Sun Devils intercepts a pass intended for tight end Jake Ray #18 of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans v. Arizona State Sun Devils playing in an empty stadium in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
But this was not one of his catches. Instead he tipped the ball, and redshirt freshman Bru McCoy came down with his first career touchdown.
With 2:52 left to play and one timeout remaining, USC opted for an onside kick. Freshman Parker Lewis bounced the ball off a Sun Devil, and McCoy jumped on it to give USC possession and the chance to take the lead.
The Trojans didn’t let it slip through their hands. On fourth-and-nine, with the game on the line, Slovis went to sophomore Drake London, one of his favorite targets in do-or-die scenarios. The receiver was tightly guarded, but Slovis put the ball just high enough that only London could make a diving play on it. London bounced up from the red paint in the end zone, ball at his side as his teammates rushed to celebrate the tying score.
“The backer pushed out to me, there was no safety over top and the rest is history,” London recalled matter of factly.
Helton saw the play as emblematic of the growth his sophomore quarterback, who finished with 381 passing yards and a USC single-game record 40 completions.
“Just being a year older, that’s one of those that you’ve got to pull the trigger – if you hesitate at all it’s not going to be a touchdown. And Kedon got that ball in there, perfect timing and perfect accuracy,” Helton explained.
Lewis nailed the go-ahead extra point, and the defense was tasked with completing the win. And that’s what it did, with Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels’ fourth-down attempt falling short of his desired target.
It was an up-and-down performance for the USC defense in its first game under coordinator Todd Orlando. The Sun Devils were able to gash the Trojans on the ground for 258 yards despite having little experience in the backfield.
But, as Helton noted, the Trojans took turns making mistakes. The offense had five trips into Arizona State territory that ended without points and three red-zone turnovers. Those type of miscues would seem prohibitive to USC’s chances to win.
But things usually don’t go how you expect in 2020. Nothing was normal about the pregame scene at the Coliseum.
The Trojans running out onto the field between pillars of fire, waving their arms for noise from absent fans. The artificial sounding blaring out of the west speakers, doing little to disguise the seats vacated by the pandemic. Even the infrequent sprinkling of precipitation, the first time a USC home opener was rained on since, ironically, 1918.
“Obviously an empty stadium creates a different circumstance for you,” Slovis said. “With no fans, you have to feed off each other for energy and I thought we did that, especially that last drive with the defense needs a stop, the whole sideline was making noise and on their feet.”
And the defense made the necessary stop. USC started this no-room-for-error season 1-0, the goal of winning the Pac-12 South and the conference as a whole intact.
“To play Arizona State first game out, we knew how big a game it was,” Helton said. “We knew what it meant for the conference and to get this one today is huge.”
Adam Grosbard covers USC athletics for the Orange County Register and Southern California News Group. He's previously covered his alma mater SMU and the WNBA for the Dallas Morning News and high school sports for the Long Beach Press-Telegram. A Pasadena native, he currently lives in the South Bay.
