In-game updates: UCLA at USC
USC 50, UCLA 0 (13:56 left in fourth quarter)
Before the start of the fourth quarter, UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel collected his players in a circle on the field and appeared to issue a challenge.
It didn’t make any difference. USC scored three plays later on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Matt Barkley to Robert Woods, putting the Trojans within striking distance of their record 79-0 rout in the series’ first-ever game in 1929.
It was Barkley’s sixth touchdown pass of the game, tying the school record he set earlier this season, and his 39th scoring pass of the season, breaking the Pac-12 Conference record.
USC has amassed 526 yards of offense to UCLA’s 279.
USC 43, UCLA 0 (3:50 left in third quarter)
Well, at least UCLA still has its basketball team.
Oops.
The Bruins are struggling in both of their marquee sports, and things aren’t getting any better for the football team in its crosstown rivalry game after USC quarterback Matt Barkley completed his fifth touchdown pass of the game on a four-yard connection with Robert Woods.
It was Barkley’s 38th touchdown pass of the season, tying the Pac-12 Conference record.
USC 36, UCLA 0 (10:55 left in third quarter)
USC isn’t letting up.
After a deep pass fell incomplete on the Trojans’ first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, quarterback Matt Barkley aired it out again. This time, he connected with Marqise Lee for a 52-yard touchdown to only further compound UCLA’s woes.
It was Lee’s 10th reception of the game, a career high. Barkley also could be headed for some records after completing 23 of his first 29 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.
USC 29, UCLA 0 (3:57 left in second quarter)
UCLA came up empty again inside USC’s 10-yard line when quarterback Kevin Prince floated a third-down pass into the end zone that was intercepted by Trojans safety T.J. McDonald.
McDonald returned the ball to the 25-yard line, where USC will attempt to build on its already seemingly insurmountable cushion.
USC 29, UCLA 0 (6:53 left in second quarter)
Larry Scott must be embarrassed.
The Pac-12 Conference Commissioner will preside over an inaugural conference championship game that matches a national juggernaut in Oregon against something resembling a junior varsity squad in UCLA.
The Bruins are getting trampled by their crosstown rivals, who executed a fourth-down play perfectly when quarterback Matt Barkley scrambled before connecting with fullback Rhett Ellison on a four-yard touchdown.
Barkley’s stats so far are mind-boggling. He’s completed 21 of 25 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
USC 22, UCLA 0 (12:48 left in second quarter)
The Trojans are rubbing it in already.
After USC quarterback Matt Barkley’s one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Randall Telfer in the corner of the end zone, the Trojans unveiled a trick play on the conversion. Barkley connected with Xavier Grimble for two more points, padding USC’s three-score lead.
Trojans receiver Robert Woods broke a school and conference record for single-season receptions on the drive and now has 105 with more than half the game to play.
USC 14, UCLA 0 (5:15 left in first quarter)
Ninety-eight yards isn’t all that far to go when you have an offense like USC’s unit.
Behind a couple of passes from quarterback Matt Barkley to Marqise Lee, a 10-yard run by Marc Tyler and a 73-yard touchdown run from Curtis McNeal, the Trojans have already taken what feels like a commanding lead.
USC students have already started pleading with Barkley in what could be his final home game, chanting “One more year!” while he spoke to Coach Lane Kiffin during a break in the action.
USC 7, UCLA 0 (6:58 left in first quarter)
For UCLA, it was like Stanford all over again.
The Bruins went for it on fourth and goal at the one-yard line on their first drive and came up short, with Derrick Coleman getting stuffed for no gain.
UCLA converted a pair of third downs on the drive, which moved 79 yards before stalling. The big play was a 28-yard completion from quarterback Kevin Prince to Jordon James, but things got trickier once the Bruins moved inside the USC 10.
USC 7, UCLA 0 (13:15 left in first quarter)
The Trojans got away with one.
On USC quarterback Matt Barkley’s 42-yard touchdown pass to Marqise Lee, there was an obvious block in the back by a Trojans lineman that the officials missed. Lee sprinted away from defenders on the play, easily beating UCLA free safety Tevin McDonald to haul in the scoring pass. This could get ugly in a hurry.
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