Highlights, key plays and photos from No. 10 Utah’s 30-23 loss to USC
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Southern California wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (8) makes a touchdown catch between Utah defensive backs Javelin Guidry, left, and Julian Blackmon during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
SALT LAKE CITY — No. 10 Utah’s hopes of repeating as Pac-12 South champions took a hit Friday night, as USC handed the Utes a 30-23 loss at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Utah falls to 3-1 on the year and 0-1 in Pac-12 play, as USC never trailed to improve to 3-1 and 2-0 in league action.
Down to the 3rd-string QB and they STILL got it done. 😤✌️
The Trojans, coming off a 30-27 overtime loss to BYU, had a fourth-quarter safety and scored a touchdown on the ensuing possession to put away Utah, after the Utes had cut their deficit to 21-20 early in the final period.
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Southern California wide receiver Tyler Vaughns (21) makes a touchdown catch over Utah defensive back Jaylon Johnson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Southern California quarterback Matt Fink (19) pitches to running back Vavae Malepeai (29) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Southern California wide receiver Tyler Vaughns (21) makes a touchdown catch over Utah defensive back Jaylon Johnson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Southern California wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (8) makes a touchdown catch between Utah defensive backs Javelin Guidry, left, and Julian Blackmon during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley calls out to teammates at the line of scrimmage, against Southern California during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) throws a pass against Southern California during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Southern California quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) is hit by by Utah defensive tackle Leki Fotu during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Utah running back Zack Moss carries against Southern California during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Southern California quarterback Matt Fink throws a pass against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley, center, lunges for yardage next to Southern California cornerback Chris Steele (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Utah running back Devonta'e Henry-Cole (7) runs in for a touchdown against Southern California during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Utah running back Devonta'e Henry-Cole (7) runs in for a touchdown against Southern California during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Southern California cornerback Greg Johnson (9) picks up a Utah fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Utah running back Devonta'e Henry-Cole (7) runs past Southern California linebacker Palaie Gaoteote IV (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley is tackled by Southern California linebacker Palaie Gaoteote IV, back, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) is tackled in the end zone by Southern California defensive lineman Drake Jackson (99) for a safety during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Southern California wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (6) makes a catch against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Southern California wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (6) makes a catch in front of Utah defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
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Southern California running back Markese Stepp, second from left, points after rushing for a touchdown against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | AP
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Southern California coach Clay Helton, left, hugs quarterback Matt Fink after the team's 30-23 win over Utah in an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | AP
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Southern California coach Clay Helton, center, runs onto the field with his team for an NCAA college football game against Utah on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) | Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
Here’s three key takeaways that defined this game:
Backups take over
Both teams had top offensive players leave the game with injuries. USC quarterback Kedon Slovis took a big hit from Utah defensive tackle Leki Fotu on the second play of the game and Slovis never returned to the game.
Instead, Matt Fink, the Trojans’ third-string quarterback to start the year, stepped in and had a big game. Fink threw two first-quarter touchdowns to help USC take the early lead and completed 21 of 30 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.
HOW?! 😱
@USC_FB QB Matt Fink miraculously escapes from a sure sack and throws for his second TD of the game! pic.twitter.com/Qj9uEvqmJJ
Utah running back Zack Moss, meanwhile, left the game early in the second quarter with what FS1 reported was an injury to the AC joint in his left shoulder. He had 20 rushing yards on six carries before leaving the game.
In his absence, Devin Brumfield rushed for 63 yards on 10 carries, while quarterback Tyler Huntley added 60 yards on the ground to go with 210 passing yards.
Utah struggles to finish drives
Eight of the Utes’ 11 possessions reached at least the USC 30-yard line, but Utah only scored two touchdowns on those drives.
The Utes had a missed field goal, a turnover on downs and a fumble inside the USC 5 during the first half. Early in the fourth quarter, Utah had the chance to take the lead trailing 21-17. The Utes reached the Trojans’ 1-yard line but were kept out of the end zone, as USC forced a field goal.
Undisciplined play also hurt Utah throughout the night, as the Utes had 16 penalties for 120 yards. USC had 11 penalties for 117 yards.
USC’s big plays doom Utes
The Trojans had 381 yards of total offense, compared to 457 for Utah, but USC benefitted from several big plays in the passing game.
Fink’s two first-quarter touchdown passes went for 29 and 31 yards, and he hit Michael Pittman Jr. for a 77-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to give USC its first double-digit lead in the game. Pittman had 10 catches for 232 yards and a touchdown, including a 42-yarder on USC’s fourth-quarter touchdown drive.
