The USC football got off to a quick start, but the Western Michigan Broncos weathered the storm. The game is tied at half. Are the Trojans in trouble?
The USC Trojans and Western Michigan Broncos kicked off the 2017 season in Los Angeles in despite being under a heat advisory. Head coach Clay Helton and quarterback Sam Darnold begin the year as the fourth ranked team in the AP Poll. With such a high ranking comes high expectations and it seemed as though they weren’t quite ready to meet the expectations yet.
The heat didn’t stop the Trojans from scoring early. They scored on a six play, 75-yard drive that took just two minutes off the clock. Ronald Jones II ran the ball for 16 yards for the first score of the game.
It looked like the USC Trojans would run away with this one after this drive, however, the Broncos had other plans.
USC 7, WMU 0.
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) September 2, 2017
The Trojans start the game on a 6-play, 75-yard scoring drive!#FightOn https://t.co/Smlo7icUm2
After their first scoring drive, the Trojans were held to three straight three-and-outs by the Broncos. On offense, Western Michigan battled back. They scored on an eight play, 59-yard drive to tie the score up at 7-7.
After forcing another Trojans’ punt, the Broncos went another long drive, this time spanning 11 plays and 84 yards. Quarterback John Wassink scored on a quarterback keeper to put Western Michigan up 14-7 and like that, the upset alert alarm was sounded.
VIDEO -- Western Michigan takes the lead on #USC via quarterback keeper from John Wassink*: https://t.co/ylbFqKuwdl
— Kane "The Conqueror" Webb (@FightOnTwist) September 2, 2017
The USC Trojans eventually found their rhythm late in the second quarter. They went on an eight play, 45-yard scoring drive that saw Ronald Jones II score his second touchdown of the day. This time it was for one yard, to tie the score at 14-14 with 4:21 remaining.
The Western Michigan offense would not go away, though. They would go on an eight play, 54-yard drive all the way down to the Trojans’ 21-yard line. Broncos kicker Josh Grant would miss a 38-yard field goal to take the lead.
The Trojans’ offense got the ball back on the turnover on downs and attempted to drive the ball back down the field. Quarterback Sam Darnold would go on to throw his first interception of the game before the half ended.
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Western Michigan had 15 first downs to USC’s nine. 161 of their total 204 yards offense came through the rush. The Trojans will need to find some balance on offense to have a chance in the second half. The Broncos and Trojans are currently tied 14-14 at halftime.