SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 10, 2012
No. 22 Southern California 38, Arizona State 17: Curtis McNeal scored three touchdowns and Marqise Lee had 10 catches for 161 yards, including an 80-yard score, as the host Trojans kept their Pac-12 title hopes alive.
Matt Barkley was 20-of-33 for 222 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions for the Trojans (7-3, 5-3 Pac-12), who outscored the Sun Devils 24-3 in the second half.
The Sun Devils (5-5, 3-4) were outgained 447-250 in total yards and lost their fourth straight game after a 5-1 start. Southern California recorded the 800th victory in the program’s history and needs a win over UCLA next Saturday to earn a rematch with Oregon in the Pac-12 title game.
Taylor Kelly gave Arizona State an early lead with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Chris Coyle with 10:51 left in the first quarter, but was constantly pressured in the second half and finished 19-for-30 for 174 yards with three interceptions.
Lee bolstered his surging Heisman Trophy campaign with 227 all-purpose yards, giving him 1,104 over the last three games. McNeal had 31 carries for 163 yards and capped the Trojans’ second-half explosion with a 27-yard touchdown run with 38 seconds remaining.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Barkley’s three interceptions tied his career high as the teams combined for nine turnovers. … Arizona State has not defeated the Trojans in Los Angeles since 1999. … The noon kickoff was the earliest for Southern California since 1998. … Southern California outgained the Sun Devils 225-71 on the ground.