LOS ANGELES - USC’s offense did its part. Its defense did not.
USC simply could not stop Stanford when it needed to Saturday night. As a result, the Cardinal left the Coliseum with a 41-31 upset victory over the sixth-ranked Trojans.
A Stanford offense that had looked pedestrian before Saturday compiled 474 total yards. Time and again, the Cardinal’s offensive line overpowered the Trojans’ defensive front.
Christian McCaffrey rushed for 115 yards on 26 carries for Stanford (2-1, 1-0 Pac-12). Remound Wright complemented him with 41 yards and three short touchdown runs.
USC (2-1, 0-1) got the good version of streaky quarterback Kevin Hogan, who completed 18 of 23 passes for 279 yards and two scores.