TOP 25
NO. 24 UTAH 31, USC 27
SALT LAKE CITY -- Troy Williams threw for 270 yards and two touchdown and ran for another score in No. 24 Utah's 31-27 comeback victory over Southern California on Friday night.
The Utes came back in a spectacular fashion with Tim Patrick catching an 18-yard touchdown pass at the pylon with 16 seconds remaining to cap a 15-play, 93-yard drive. Williams had his third 100-yard receiving game of the season.
The Trojans controlled most of the game and had a 27-17 fourth-quarter lead, but Utah (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) scored 14 consecutive points. USC fell to 1-3 for the first time since 2001.
Utah attempted to control the game on the ground early against the No. 98 run defense in the country, but USC tightened up and forced the Utes to win through the air.
USC's Sam Darnold threw for 253 yards and ran for a touchdown in his first career start after replacing Sam Browne.
Friday was the first true test for the Utes and they passed -- barely.
The run game started hot with 132 yards in the first half, but faded fast and continued to have ball control issues with two fumbles. The defense allowed the most yards it has all season (466), but bowed up in the fourth quarter when the team absolutely needed it.
The Trojans, however, are in serious trouble.
There were already whispers that Coach Clay Helton was on the hot seat, but blowing a 10-point lead in the final quarter may solidify that. Darnold was an upgrade from Browne, but USC is now 0-2 in conference.
Sports on 09/24/2016