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USC Football: 3 takeaways from thrilling win over Arizona State

By Michael Hanich

Nov 7, 2020; Los Angeles CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Drake London (15) celebrates with wide receiver Tyler Vaughns (21) and wide receiver Bru McCoy (4) after catching a 21-yard touchdown pass with 1:20 to play for the winning score against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Arizona State 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; Los Angeles CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Drake London (15) celebrates with wide receiver Tyler Vaughns (21) and wide receiver Bru McCoy (4) after catching a 21-yard touchdown pass with 1:20 to play for the winning score against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Arizona State 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

3. Trojan secondary was key to the game

The Trojans were looking to use this as a significant start to showcase their much-improved defense. Last season, the Trojans ranked 78th in the nation in points allowed per game (29.4) and 78th in total yards allowed per game (408.7). They knew they would have their hands full against a dynamic and elusive Sun Devil offense.

Jayden Daniels had plenty of good moments against the Trojans where he was able to pick apart certain areas. Arizona State’s rushing offense was stout overall as they ran the ball 38 times for 258 yards for an average of 6.8 yards per rush. Daniels rushed for 111 yards on 11 carries. Freshman running back DeaMonte Trayanum rushed for 84 yards and two scores on 12 carries.

Defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu accounted for seven total tackles, five solo tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. The Trojans caused just enough chaos in the backfield to make the Sun Devils mix up their play schemes. USC’s defense accounted for one sack and seven tackles for loss.

While Daniels made some significant plays in the passing game early, he could not find consistency against the Trojans secondary in coverages. The Trojans held Daniels 21 yards on two completions (out of eight passing attempts) in the second half. They held the passing game to 134 yards on 11-of-23 passing and one touchdown. USC’s defense will have room to grow as a unit that can stop the running game as well as they do stopping the passing game.

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