04/23/24
September 16, 2012
Stanford Knocks Off No. 2 USC: The 21st-ranked Stanford Cardinal handed the second-ranked USC Trojans a 21-14 road defeat Saturday, its fourth consecutive victory over the PAC-12 rivals. USC quarterback Matt Barkley, a Heisman trophy hopeful, has never beaten Stanford. He threw two interceptions and no touchdowns and was 4-of-9 passing for 43 yards in the fourth quarter. "This isn't the end of the world," said USC coach Lane Kiffin.
Yeah, Stanford's defense killed USC in the second half. First start for the center, and it showed -- the O-line didn't give Barkley a chance.
posted by Etrigan at 02:38 PM on September 16, 2012
I cannot explain how USC played so poorly--four losses in a row to the Cardinal makes me think Stanford has some USC kryptonite! Yes, Stanford played well and Barkley certainly missed his regular center but on both sides of the ball Trojans didn't play near what they're capable of.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:35 AM on September 17, 2012
Stanford was the much stronger team along both lines. I wasn't impressed at all with Barkley. I'm thinking he might look a little better behind a stronger line, but he did have time to make plays and he does have the luxury of throwing to 2 lock first round receivers. Nunes was impressive and more than made up for his mistakes with big plays at key moments in the game.
posted by cixelsyd at 12:10 PM on September 17, 2012
Thankfully my local Fox station had this game on. It was no fluke win for Stanford either as the second half was all theirs. Great game and served as a nice antidote for the awful Michigan State game.