USC vs. ASU Score Update: Trojans Lead After 3rd Quarter

UPDATE: Click here for the final score of USC vs. Arizona State.

The USC Trojans have held onto a slim 20-18 lead over the Arizona State Sun Devils after the third quarter at the Coliseum.

The teams vying to stay in the race for the Pac-12 south title traded field goals in the third quarter but ended up where they left off with a two-point game on the line.

USC’s offensive troubles continued into the second half. The opening drive failed and Kessler hit his second pooch punt of the night into the endzone.

The Sun Devils meanwhile showed no signs of stopping in the passing game, easily making their way down the field against the Trojan secondary. At the goal line, a pass interference penalty gave ASU  new life but Kody Kohl dropped a pass, then Bercovici missed his receiver on 3rd down and they kicked to take a one-point lead.

A long drive from USC milked plenty of time off the clock and got some nice runs out of Justin Davis, but the Trojans still lacked a cutting edge and had to once more rely on Andre Heidari to restore a two-point lead with a 33-yard field goal.

ASU’s next drive ended in controversial fashion. Bercovici converted some crucial third downs, but the final one was ruled an incompletion even though it seemed Strong had hauled in the catch at the sideline before Adoree’ Jackson stripped it out of bounds. Todd Graham had just used up his final time out of the game however and could not challenge the play, which the replay booth elected not to review.

The quarter ended with the Trojans in possession.

The first half was up and down for the Trojans, who put in a dominant first quarter display but fell into old habits with a subpar second quarter.

Nelson Agholor got the scoring started with a punt return in the first quarter, but the game had to wait until the second quarter for more scoring. Of course that scoring was unwelcome as the Sun Devils ripped off two touchdowns in quick succession.

First, Jaelen Strong reeled in a pass at the goal line to hit USC with their first pass touchdown given up all season. Then Strong punished the Trojans again when he got behind the defense and speed away for a 77-yard touchdown. After a successful two-point conversion, ASU led by eight.

The Trojans responded with a touchdown of their own from Buck Allen at the goalline. Then after a defensive stop, they got the ball back and drove down the field to take the lead back on a 35-yard Andre Heidari field goal.

The USC vs. ASU fourth quarter is on the way. Stay tuned to Reign Of Troy for a full slate of in-game and post-game content.