The #4 Washington Huskies were looking to prove that their 9-0 start was no fluke. Unfortunately for them, they came up flat in their biggest test of the season, losing 26-13 at home to the #20 USC Trojans.
Washington became the second top-four team to lose on the day after Clemson also fell at home to Pitt. Many believe that the loss virtually ends Washington's chances of making the playoff.
USC wasn't able to take over until the 2nd quarter, when star quarterback Sam Darnold found Darreus Rodgers in the end zone for the eight-yard touchdown. That was followed by this four-yard touchdown run from Ronald Jones II to give the Trojans a 17-6 advantage.
Ronald Jones pounds it in for the TD!!! #USC up 17-6! #FightOn #USCvsWash pic.twitter.com/Bl996AV6BW
— USC Trojans (@ChatTrojans) November 13, 2016
Washington appeared to re-gain their footing in the third quarter when Jake Browning hit John Ross for a 70-yard touchdown, but USC and Darnold responded with another eight-yard touchdown pass, this one to tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe.
Darnold to Imatorbhebhe for the TD to put #USC up 24-13!! #FightOn #USCvsWash pic.twitter.com/5kt5bsaq1d
— USC Trojans (@ChatTrojans) November 13, 2016
USC's defense held firm from that point on, adding a safety to give them the 26-13 win.
One of the biggest reasons the Trojans came away with the win was their ability to rattle Browning, who came into the game as the nation's most efficient passer. He finished the game completing just 17/37 passes for 259 yards with just one touchdown and two interceptions. On the flip side, Darnold played well, throwing for 287 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions.
Washington drops to 9-1 with the loss, and will host Arizona State next weekend before finishing the regular season in the Apple Cup at Washington State.
The win boosts USC to 7-3 on the season. They will play at UCLA next weekend before closing the season at home against Notre Dame.
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