USC vs. Oregon State Score Update: Trojans Lead Beavers 31-14 After 3rd Quarter

Nov 1, 2013; Corvallis, OR, USA; Southern California Trojans tailback Javorious Allen (37) is pursued by Oregon State Beavers safety Tyrequek Zimmerman (8) and cornerback Larry Scott (15) on an 18-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

On their first play of the second half, Cody Kessler hit Nelson Agholor for 62-yard bomb that moved the Trojans inside the Beaver 20-yard line. USC’s next two plays went backwards however, but the Trojans were able to set Andre Heidari up for a 34-yard field goal, to put the extend their lead, 24-14.

But Oregon State would not quit just yet. They surged back and mounted an impressive drive of their own, but got stalled in USC territory. Oregon State kicker Trevor Romaine missed his second attempt of the night, and the Trojans got the ball back.

The Trojans backed themselves up on their first play of their next drive due to an illegal formation penalty, but Buck Allen negated the loss with a bruising 12-yard gain. Silas Redd-who notched his 12th career 100-yard rushing game in the opening minutes of the second half–pushed ahead for two more yards. On 3rd and 1, another dumb penalty backed the Trojans up 15 yards, when Marcus Martin got flagged for illegal hands to the face. Stalled on their drive once again by penalties, USC had to punt it away again.

The USC defense moved the Beaver offense off the field with ease, though a big no-call on an obvious pass interference from Leon McQuay helped things along.

Buck Allen kept USC’s next drive alive by fielding a catch and taking the hit right at the first down marker. From there, Redd broke off to the 50-yard putting USC into very good field position. Allen, playing the game of his career, took the following hand-off and darted down the field. He shook an Oregon State defender and trotted into endzone for a 52-yard score. With it, he boosted USC to a comfortable 31-14 lead. It certainly felt like a knockout blow to the Beavers, but they still have a quarter to mount a comeback.

USC has converted 5-of-10 third down attempts and had 238 rushing yards between Allen and Redd through three quarters, which has undoubtedly contributed to their success in this game.