SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 22, 2012
No. 12 USC 27, California 9: Silas Redd rushed for 158 yards and Curtis McNeal added 115 as No. 12 Southern California dispatched visiting California in Pac-12 play.
Heisman Trophy candidate Matt Barkley threw two touchdown passes to Marqise Lee but also was intercepted twice as the Trojans (3-1, 1-1 Pac-12) accumulated 296 rushing yards while defeating the Golden Bears (1-3, 0-1) for the ninth consecutive time.
The Trojans’ defense sacked Cal quarterback Zach Maynard seven times and T.J. McDonald and Jawanza Starling recorded interceptions as USC outgained Cal 488-250.
Vincenzo D’Amato kicked three field goals, including boots of 26 and 35 in the third quarter to pull the Golden Bears within 17-9. Andre Heidari kicked a 41-yarder in the opening minute of the final quarter before Lee caught a 3-yard scoring pass from Barkley to give USC an 18-point advantage with 5:56 remaining.
Redd scored on a 33-yard scamper in the opening quarter and Lee caught an 11-yard scoring pass midway through the second as the Trojans took a 17-3 halftime lead.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Barkley became the third quarterback in USC history to top 10,000 career yards, joining former Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart. Barkley has 10,059 career passing yards. … Golden Bears receiver Keenan Allen had nine receptions for 94 yards. … Lee had 11 receptions and has caught 40 passes and six touchdowns over the first four games.