USC Football: Top 10 Plays of 2012

The Trojans had a disappointing regular season in 2012, finishing with four conference losses and losing to both UCLA and Notre Dame for the first time in 17 years, while winning the fewest games since 2001. Nonetheless, despite goal line stands and costly turnovers, the Trojans did have their fair share of highlights in the 2012, boosted by a Heisman Trophy campaign from Biletnikoff Award winner Marqise Lee.

We put together the Top 10 plays of the year for the Trojans, based on their showmanship, impact and significance.

Before we get started, let’s pay homage to two long passes that just missed the cut: one to Nelson Agholor against Oregon, and one two Marqise Lee against Utah.

But don’t fret, there’s plenty of Lee to be had in the Top 10, including the first dose of the electric playmaker from way back in September. And so we begin…

10. Marqise Lee’s season-opening 75-yard touchdown catch and run
It’s fitting that the first play to kick off the top 10 plays of the year was the one that got the whole season started against Hawaii. The Trojans began the game as they would start every game, with a short range pass to Lee on the left side of the field. The result? A catch, stutter-step and then pure speed blur for six.