USC Football: 3 takeaways from Pac-12 South victory over Arizona

(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
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Once again, #Pac12AfterDark lived up to its reputation. Here are three takeaways from the showdown between Pac-12 South leaders USC and Arizona.

On Saturday night, USC and Arizona met in a showdown of the two teams atop the Pac-12 South standings. The Trojans dominated the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, taking a 21-6 lead at the break. Arizona surged back in the second half to tie the game at 35-35, before USC reclaimed the lead for good in a 49-35 finish.

It was the sort of finish that has helped build the #Pac12AfterDark reputation for exciting back-and-forth football and high-scoring results. Two Heisman hopefuls at quarterback dueled deep into the California night, with USC laying claim to sole possession of the lead in the division by the time the dust had finally settled on another wild week in college football.

The two teams combined for over a thousand total yards of offense, as the scoreboard operator got plenty of work at the Coliseum on Saturday. Now the Trojans are in position to lock up the Pac-12 South over the next few weeks, while Arizona acquitted itself well in defeat.

What did we learn about both teams from the high-flying showdown between the Trojans and the Wildcats? Here are three takeaways from late-night action in Los Angeles between victorious USC and vanquished Arizona.