Instant Recap: Arizona State vs. No. 20 USC

The Arizona State Sun Devils went into Los Angeles and lost a crucial Pac-12 South game to the No. 20 USC Trojans, 28-27 on Saturday.

The Sun Devils scored first off of a 38-yard field goal from Cristian Zendejas. The biggest play from the drive was a 38-yard run from Jayden Daniels on a really nice play design from Zak Hill. Freshman wide receiver LV Bunkley-Shelton had a nice third-down grab to extend the drive.

After forcing USC to punt on its first drive, Jack Jones muffed the punt and handed the ball back to his former school. Luckily for him, Arizona State forced a fumble at the goal line to get the ball back.

USC’s Stephen Carr scored the game’s first touchdown from two yards out. The Trojans put together an 11-play drive in the first quarter to take the lead.

The Sun Devils wished they had the third-and-17 back because they failed to keep contain and quarterback Kedon Slovis rushed 24 yards for the first down.

Arizona State shifted the momentum by stopping USC’s fourth-down attempt. D.J. Davidson got a huge push to give the Sun Devils’ good field position. ASU scored its first touchdown of the season after DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum bursted out for a 25-yard run in the second quarter.

The Sun Devils once again were kicking themselves after another USC touchdown drive. Markese Stepp capped off a 13-play touchdown drive for the Trojans on a one-yard score. However, it could’ve easily been prevented earlier in the drive. Linebacker Kyle Soelle saw an interception go through his arms and into Drake London’s for a third down conversation.

The first half fireworks continued. Trayanum got the drive going with a couple hard runs. Then Rachaad White brought the lightning to Trayanum’s thunder, taking a simple swing pass for a 45-yard touchdown. White clearly hit another gear with his speed.

Bunkley-Shelton fumbled but once again the defense saved the day. Merlin Robertson made his first impact play of the season. Robertson made a diving play to intercept Slovis on a slant.

The two teams traded three and outs until Chase Lucas forced a fumble to create another turnover for Arizona State. The Sun Devils converted it into a touchdown. Daniels picked up a huge third down with his legs on a 31-yard gain. Trayanum then pushed it in again from 17 yards out to make it 24-14.

USC drove inside the red zone, but the Sun Devil defense came up with another fourth-down stop. Robertson bursted around the edge for the stop. Arizona State turned it into Zenedejas’ second field goal for a 13-point lead.

Stepp appeared to have picked up a fourth-and-1 but fumbled it away with six minutes left in the game.

The Sun Devils nearly put the game away on defense. Arizona State put USC back into a fourth-and-13 after a sack but the Sun Devils jumped offsides allowing USC a free play. The ball went off of the hand of Amon-Ra St. Brown and into the grasp of Bru McCoy for the touchdown.

With 2:49 on the clock, USC recovered the onside kick. The Trojans later converted a fourth-and-9 into a touchdown for touchdown London to give USC the 28-27 lead.

Arizona State didn’t get points on the last drive, losing a game it probably should’ve won.

Daniels went 11-for-23 for 134 yards through the air. Adding 111 rushing yards as well. Trayanum finished with 87 yards and two scores.