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USC Football: 3 takeaways from convincing win over Stanford in Week 2

By Dante Pryor

STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Jordan Addison #3 of the USC Trojans warms up before their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Jordan Addison #3 of the USC Trojans warms up before their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Sep 10, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Tahj Washington (16) and running back Travis Dye (26) celebrate the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Tahj Washington (16) and running back Travis Dye (26) celebrate the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

2. USC’s offense is dangerous

The thought was there was not much to learn about the Trojans after its 66-14 win against the Rice Owls, which was confirmed. Most thought that the Cardinal would be more of a challenge for the Trojans, and we’d learn more about them this week. This evening’s lesson was simple: don’t turn the football over against the Trojans.

USC served notice on the Pac-12 tonight. They were a dangerous combination of explosive and efficient. Quarterback Caleb Williams went 20-27, including completing 13 of his first 15 passes. Jordan Addison had an electric game with 172 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The run game was complementary with little volume as Travis Dye ran for 105 yards on only 14 carries.

The defense looked good, forcing four turnovers and sacking Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee five times among its 12 tackles for loss. This evening’s four turnovers give the Trojans D eight turnovers for the season. Alex Grinch’s havoc-rate defense is the perfect compliment for an offense like USC’s.

The Trojans had won just one of their previous five meetings at Stanford dating to 2010. The win did improve SC’s record to 71-24-5 in the conference opener, rs and they have won 33 of their last 52. Also, USC has won 24 of its previous 37 road conference openers with a 29-14-2 record outside of Los Angeles.

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