USC Chokes: Oregon State Beavers Upset Trojans

Two years ago, USC went into Reser Stadium ranked third and lost. Thursday night the Trojans went into Reser Stadium ranked No. 1. The score was different, but the result remained the same. The Oregon State Beavers defeated USC, 27-21. After absolutely shellacking Virginia and the other OSU (Ohio State), the Trojans got thoroughly outplayed in the first half and went into the locker room trailing, 21-0. For the first 30 minutes of the ball game, USC couldn’t convert third downs, couldn’t tackle Beavers’ running back Jacquizz Rodgers, and couldn’t get the Oregon State offense off the field. USC came out of the locker room for the second half with more energy and scored two touchdowns in the third quarter. When Trojans quarterback Mark Sanchez had time to throw, he was deadly, completing 18-of-29 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns, but he threw a costly interception to Beavers’ defensive back Greg Laybourn, which lead to the winning touchdown. Meanwhile, ... (link)