? An Overtime Type of Season: The Sun Devils played their third overtime game of the season, and third in a row to break an NCAA record. That's right, no school in NCAA history has ever played three consecutive games that go past four quarters. Since the rule was initiated in 1996, ASU is now 3-2 in overtime games all-time, with the last two games being the setbacks. Washington State has also played three overtime games in 2000, falling in all three. USC is now 2-3 in overtime games in school history.
? The Final Totals: The Trojans tallied 26 first downs, compared to ASU's 25... USC was penalized 14 times for 135 yards, compared to ASU's six for 30 yards... the Trojans were 7-for-13 on third down conversions, while ASU was only 7 of 21... USC, behind the 176 yards of Sultan McCullough, outrushed the Devils 261-77... USC turned the ball over five times, four on fumbles... USC won the time of possession war 43:03 - 31:57... USC had 540 total offense yards, while ASU was held to 391.
? The Comeback: The Sun Devils scored 29 unanswered points in the second half to make what is believed to be the biggest comeback in school history. Senior quarterback Griffin Goodman was 11-of-18 at the end of regulation with 153 yards passing. He ended the game with 164 yards passing.
? The Series History: ASU and USC have now met 17 times in the series history with the Sun Devils still holding a 9-8 edge on the Trojans. ASU is the only Pac-10 team who has a winning record vs. the Trojans. ASU had won three of the last four meetings before tonight, including the last two at Sun Devil Stadium. The win in Tempe was the first for USC since 1992. ASU is the Trojans newest and least played Pac-10 team. The Trojans are now 5-5 in games played at Sun Devils Stadium it their storied college football history.
? A Nice Change of PACE: Going for his third consecutive 100-yard game, walk-on running back Tom Pace rushed for 70 yards on 21 carries vs. the Trojans. Pace also had a 45 yard TD catch and 62 yards on two catches.
? McCullough's Big Game: Coming into tonight's game, USC sophomore tailback Sultan McCullough was ranked 22nd in the NCAA with 103.00 yards per game. With a big game of 176 yards on 23 carries, the sophomore now has six 100-yard rushing game on the year and in his career. With 103 yards in the first half, the tailback extended his consecutive games streak to four 100-yard games to four. His 176 yards set a career high. His previous high was 154 yards earlier this year vs. Oregon (10/14/00). His 51-yard run in the first half was his sixth run over 30 yards this season. He now has 1,000 yards on the season to become only the 22nd Trojan in school history to reach that milestone. Other names on that list include Marcus Allen and O.J. Simpson. His updated season totals are 1,000 yards on 173 carries for a 111.1 yards per game average.
? A Change of Uniforms: Trying for a change of luck in the final game of the 2000 campaign, the Sun Devils changed their uniform selection from the traditional gold pants and maroon jersey to an all maroon selection. This was the same uniform in which ASU defeated Arizona a year ago.
? Archuleta Surpasses 100 Tackle Milestone: Senior standout linebacker Adam Archuleta made his last appearance at Sun Devil Stadium went out with a bang. The Butkus Award semifinalist had 16 tackles vs. the Trojans to tie a season and career high. The senior is the leading tackler in the Pac-10 this season and surpasses the 100 tackle mark for the second consecutive season. With 103 now in 2000, Archuleta has 306 in his career. Before last year, the last Sun Devil to record over 100 tackles in a season was Scott Van der Ahe in 1996. Without a tackle for loss though in the OT loss, Archuleta broke his string recording a TFL in each game this year. He still has at least one TFL in 22 of his last 26 games.
? The Punt Return: Redshirt freshman Shaun McDonald ran back a 81-yard punt for a touchdown. It was the fourth longest punt return for a touchdown by a Sun Devil and the first since 1999 vs. Stanford when Davaren Hightower ran back a 78-yard punt for a TD. The TD was also the second week in a row the Trojan special teams unit let a big return go for a TD. Cal's Jemeel Powell ran back a 83-yarder last week vs. the Trojans. McDonald ended the night with for punt returns for 121 yards (30.25 average). His 121 yards is just three off the top five in single-game ASU history.
? Barth is Back: While he was listed throughout the week as questionable, kicker Mike accounted for ASU's first six points and three in the overtime quarter. The sophomore from Phoenix is now 12-for-20 on the season. His 45-yarder was four yards short of his season long of 49.
? O'Neal Hauls in Seventh TD Catch: Junior wide receiver Donnie O'Neal has been the Sun Devils go-to guy in the endzone this year. O'Neal has seven TD receptions this year, to lead the team and rank among top of Pac-10 receivers. Richard Williams led ASU with five TD receptions in 1999. With seven TD receptions, he needs just two more to move into a tie for fourth place for single-season touchdowns.
? Letting the Trojans on the Board First: When USC sophomore tailback Sultan McCullough scampered for 51 yards in the first quarter, it marked the first time this season in which the Sun Devils have allowed their opponent to score first. The Sun Devils have still outscored their opponents 67-30, while the Trojans have still been outscored 72-41.
? Sun Devil Odds and Ends: ASU kicker Mike Barth, who was listed as questionable for tonight's game, hit a 28-yard field goal in the first quarter to cut USC's lead to 7-3... Sophomore cornerback Brian Biang made his ASU debut as the kickoff specialist. He is listed as the backup punter... Christon Rance was the player who made the bone-crunching block in the first quarter on special teams and also the player who recovered the fumble on a punt in the third quarter... Former Sun Devil and NFL cornerback Mike Haynes was inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame... Tonight's game vs. USC was Arizona State University's Director of Media Relations/Assistant AD Mark Brand's 202nd career game in the ASU press box... The three points in the first half tied for a season low for the Sun Devils... ASU was also limited to a field goal vs. then No. 25 Colorado State... ASU third consecutive overtime game is an NCAA record... ASU falls to 1-2 in OT games this year.
? Trojans Odds and Ends: Trojan sophomore fullback Chad Pierson rushed for 72 yards on 16 carries. His previous career total was 15 yards coming into tonight's contest... His TD rush in overtime was his first career on the ground... the Trojans came into tonight's game with five consecutive loses... the school record for loses in a season for the Trojans was six in 1991... the blocked punt in the third quarter by USC was their second of the season, and the first since the opening game of the 2000 season vs. Penn State... that blocked punt resulted in the Trojans first TD of the '00 campaign... the TD reception in the third quarter by Antoine Harris was his third of the season... the TD reception by Keary Colbert was the first of his career... the interception by junior safety Frank Strong was also his first career interception... the 35 points scored is a season high... USC now has 30 turnover this year (five more than '99) and is averaging 3.33 per game in '00... the win snaps a five-game losing streak, most since the school record of six in 1991.
? Back to Back Pac-10 Loses: With tonight's loss to the Trojans, ASU has now lost back-to-back Pac-10 games for only the second time in the last four years. Since 1995, the Sun Devils only other Pac-10 draught came to Oregon and Arizona to end the 1998 season.