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

2. Khalil Tate is the most dynamic quarterback in the Pac-12

In the first half, the USC defense managed in large part to keep Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate in check. But the dual-threat star has been gashing opponents all throughout the season, and the Trojans were not immune to the trend. Tate turned up the heat in the second half as the Wildcats kept pressure on USC.

In the first half, USC’s defense kept Tate bottled up as he looked lost on the road. After two quarters, Tate was just 5-of-12 passing the ball for 37 yards. He managed just 22 rushing yards on 12 carries. Halftime adjustments worked, though, as Tate turned up the heat in the second half as the Wildcats tried to generate a comeback in the Coliseum.

Though Arizona ultimately lost in #Pac12AfterDark action, Tate did everything possible to keep the Wildcats in the contest on Saturday night after the break. The quarterback finished 14-of-31 for 146 passing yards and two touchdowns. He added another 159 yards and a touchdown on the ground, posting 246 of his 308 total yards in the second half.

He did throw two interceptions. Though the first was nobody’s fault but Tate’s, as he lobbed it right into coverage and paid for the gaffe. The second, though, hit his receiver squarely on the hands before being wrestled away by John Houston Jr. Winning the Heisman remains a tall order, but Tate is the revelation of 2017 as he continues to put up big numbers week after week.