USC vs. Stanford: Gameday Photo Gallery

In a hard-fought, but sloppy outing, the No. 14 USC Trojans bested the No. 13 Stanford Cardinal on the road in Palo Alto to improve to 2-0 on the season.

It was Steve Sarkisian’s first win in the Pac-12 as the Trojan head coach, but it was also a day in which his offense struggled to put points on the board and his defense held on for dear life.

The Trojans ultimately prevailed with a great display of heart from players like Javorius Allen and Nelson Agholor, while the injured Leonard Williams proved the ultimately will to win as the USC defense secured the victory.

Here’s some of the best photos from USA Today’s Kirby Lee cataloging all the action:

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; General view of Stanford Stadium before the game between the Southern California Trojans and the Stanford Cardinal. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tree mascot performs during tailgate festivities before the game against the Southern California Trojans at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (left) and Stanford Cardinal coach David Shaw before the game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Ty Montgomery (7) prepares to receive the opening kickoff against the USC Trojans in the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver JuJu Smith (9) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Stanford Cardinal in the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; USC Trojans running back Javorius Allen (37) runs the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) reacts after the Trojans scored a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal in the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan (8) looks to throw the ball against the USC Trojans in the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) looks to throw a pass against the Stanford Cardinal in the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Eric Cotton (80) runs with the ball after making a catch against the USC Trojans in the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Ty Montgomery (7) runs with the ball after making a catch against the USC Trojans in the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; USC Trojans linebacker Joel Foy (51) reacts after the Stanford Cardinal missed a field goal attempt in the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Cardinal 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; USC Trojans running back Javorius Allen (37) runs the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Cardinal 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Remound Wright (22) fumbles the ball next to USC Trojans linebacker Anthony Sarao (56) in the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Cardinal 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Nelson Agholor (15) is pursued by Stanford Cardinal linebacker Blake Martinez (4) and safety Jordan Richards (8) at Stanford Stadium. USC defeated Stanford 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; USC Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) reacts after the Trojans recovered a fumble against the Stanford Cardinal in the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Cardinal 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; USC Trojans fullback Soma Vainuku (31) reacts after the Trojans recovered a fumble against the Stanford Cardinal in the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Cardinal 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian embraces tackle Zach Banner (73) in the final minute against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. USC defeated Stanford 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans kicker Andre Heidari (48) is hoisted by teammates Soma Vainuku (31) and receiver JuJu Smith after kicking a 53-yard field goal for the winning points against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. USC defeated Stanford 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports