Sept. 24, 2011
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery
We’re Not Going Streaking:
USC had won 11 straight matchups against the Sun Devils coming into Saturday night’s game. Arizona State put an end to that with their 43-22 victory, their first since a 26-15 decision against the Trojans in 1999.
Grand Opening
ASU is now 9-7-1 in conference home openers and earned their first victory of the Pac-12 era against a conference opponent. ASU earned their first ever Pac-10 victory against the Trojans as well, back in 1978. ASU is now 3-1 against USC when opening the conference slate against them.
Not Your Average Offense
USC had held opponents to an average of 16 points and 88 rushing yards per game this season while giving up an average of just 317.3 yards per game. The Sun Devils scored 44 points and tallied 169 rushing yards while putting up 392 yards of total offense.
Not Your Average Defense Either
Entering tonight’s game, Matt Barkley had faired quite well against opposing defenses. That was not the case Saturday with Barkley tossing his second and third interceptions of the season, the latter being returned for a touchdown. Barkley also lost a fumble in the Arizona State red zone in the fourth quarter as the Trojans were attempting to rally. Barkley, who had only been sacked twice entering tonight’s matchup, also suffered two sacks on the evening.
New Marshall In Town
Cameron Marshall’s 70-yard touchdown run on the fourth play from scrimmage was the third longest of his career, behind runs of 75 yards against Washington in 2009 and 71 against UCLA. The score was the longest scoring play for the Sun Devils this season and the longest play from scrimmage on the year. It was also the second-longest rush in the Pac-12 this season. With his 142 rushing yards and his third career 100+ yard rushing game, Marshall became just the 22nd rusher of the past 110 USC opponents to rush for over 100 yards against the Trojans. He also matched his career high with three touchdowns.
Marshall’s carries for 70 or more yards:
75 yards vs. Washington on Oct. 17, 2009
71 yards vs. UCLA on Nov. 26, 2010 - touchdown
70 yards vs. USC on Sept. 24, 2011 – touchdown
Marshall’s 100-yard rushing games:
104 yards vs. Portland State on Sept. 4, 2010
147 yards vs. UCLA on Nov. 26, 2010
142 yards vs. USC on Sept. 24, 2011
Another Miles-stone
Wide receiver Jamal Miles grabbed a career-high nine catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.
ASU’s Own Trojan Horse
Gerell Robinson caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter for his third-career touchdown reception against the Trojans. He had two in the Sun Devils’ 2010 contest vs. USC.
Push ‘Em Back
The defense continued it’s way of tackling for losses or no gain, registering seven such tackles Saturday night for a loss of 18 yards.
Win the Turnover Game
Entering the game, USC and ASU ranked tied for last in the conference in turnover differential. It seemed fitting then, that the game hinged on several big turnovers, with ASU finishing at a +4 margin over the Trojans after posting a -2 overall margin through the first three games. That included two turnovers as USC was driving within the red zone and a pick-six by Shelly Lyons to seal the deal with under five minutes left in the game.
Third Down, Last Down
Entering the night, USC had posted the conference’s highest third-down percentage rate, coming in at 53.7 percent. The Trojans did not manage a single third down conversion on six attempts in the first half on Saturday. They finished with just one conversion on nine attempts on the game. ASU ranked third in the conference coming into Saturday’s matchup in opponent third-down conversions, allowing just a 26.2 percent success rate.
Read His Eyes Burfictly
Vontaze Burfict snatched his first career interception in the second quarter of Saturday’s tilt, returning it for 36 yards. It just the second time USC’s Matt Barkley had been picked off all season.
Not in The Zone
The Sun Devils, solid in the red zone all season, continued to impress Saturday. The Sun Devils allowed just two touchdowns while forcing two turnovers and two field goals during USC’s six trips to the red zone. Entering the game, the Trojans had scored touchdowns on seven of 11 red zone appearances. Conversely, ASU has now only given up seven touchdowns on the 15 times opponents have crossed into its red zone.
Takin’ It to the House
Senior Shelly Lyons made his first career interception a memorable one, taking it 41 yards to the house for his first career touchdown as well. The score sealed the deal for the Sun Devils, putting the game out of reach with just over six minutes left.
Fear the Moos
Redshirt senior Bo Moos had his first career sack late in the first quarter against the Trojans on Saturday. It was made even more notable because it was just the third time Matt Barkley had been sacked all season. It was Moos’ third tackle of the opening period and second for a loss. Moos also recovered a pivotal fumble in the fourth quarter (another career first) as USC was driving within ASU’s red zone.
Whetting His QB Appetite
Defensive end Greg Smith garnered his first career forced fumble. The timing couldn’t have been better, with USC driving into the Sun Devil red zone to potentially take the lead early in the fourth quarter.
Noel Huddle Offense
Arizona State’s fast-paced offense continued to live up to its reputation. The team’s five offensive scoring drives lasted (in order): 1:31, 2:25, 2:33, 2:23 and 3:33. That equated to an average of just 2 minutes, 29 seconds for each of the Sun Devils five touchdowns on offense,
The Start Of Something Great
Defensive end Davon Coleman made his first career start for the Sun Devils.
Coach To Cure MD
The Arizona State coaching staff wore “Coach to Cure MD” patches throughout the week and during the game to raise awareness and funding for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research.