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USC Football: 3 takeaways from Trojans’ lopsided win over Stanford

By Dana Becker

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans scrambles out of the reach of linebacker Andrew Pryts #25 of the Stanford Cardinal in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans scrambles out of the reach of linebacker Andrew Pryts #25 of the Stanford Cardinal in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Davis Mills #15 of the Stanford Cardinal throws a complete pass for a first down at the one-yard line in the first quarter of the game against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Davis Mills #15 of the Stanford Cardinal throws a complete pass for a first down at the one-yard line in the first quarter of the game against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

2. Return of the USC defense

Back when Pete Carroll was at the controls of the Trojan attack, defensive talent was abound on the roster. That has not really changed since, but something has been missing over the years.

USC showed that they are getting closer to being that old unit by completely shutting down Stanford for the latter part of the game. After allowing 20 points in the opening 22 minutes, the Cardinal did not add another to the board.

And, after Cameron Scarlett found the end zone four seconds into the second quarter, they failed to return that far to the field, settling for a Jet Toner field goal eight minutes before halftime.

Stanford was held under 350 total yards and converted on just four of 11 third-down attempts. They also failed on both fourth-down tries vs. the Trojans and turned the ball over once.

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