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Los Angeles • Utah State's 45-7 loss at USC on Saturday was a team effort.

Offense. Defense. Special teams.

The Aggies didn't play close to the level they needed in any area to defeat the Trojans.

"All three phases of our team didn't play well," linebacker Derek Larsen said.

Offensively, the Aggies averaged only 3.9 yard per play. Quarterback Kent Myers completed 25 of 37 passes for 204 yards, but he was 7-for-19 in the first half.

"I thought we came out kind of slow," tight end Wyatt Houston said. "USC's defense played really well. But we need to start faster. … The bottom line is the offense has to play better."

According to coach Matt Wells, the Aggies' inability to gain yardage on first down was critical. They finished 6-for-16 on third-down conversions, after starting 0-for-5.

"I don't think I got to many third-and-medium or third-and-short calls," Wells said. "It seemed like we were in third-and-long all day. … You have to get to third-and-manageable."

Defensively, Utah State struggled with the speed of USC's running backs and wide receivers.

The Aggies also failed to pressure starting quarterback Max Browne and backup Sam Danold, who competed 28 of 37 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns.

"I think the defense had some great moments early," Larsen said. "That was kind of the mentality — to come in and throw the first punch. But USC is always an incredible team and we weren't consistent. It ended up showing. …

"We wanted to get some pressure on the QB because [Browne] is a great pocket presence. We wanted to keep him tight in there. But obviously we didn't get that pressure and they snuck behind us a couple of times."

USC coach Clay Helton liked the way his team played, especially after its 52-6 loss at Alabama in the season opener.

"I thought it was our form of winning," he said. "What we like to do is stop the run."

The Trojans' Adoree' Jackson put an exclamation point on Utah State's special team woes with a 79-yard punt return in the third quarter. It gave USC a 31-0 lead.

"I was anxious to make something happen and get into the end zone," Jackson said. "My teammates blocked so well. So give them credit."

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Storylines

R Utah State's offense goes only 6-for-16 on third-down conversions in its 45-7 loss at USC.

• Trojan quarterbacks Max Browne and Sam Darnold complete 28 of 37 passes for four touchdowns.

• The Aggies' punt coverage team allows a 79-yard return for a touchdown by USC's Adoree' Jackson.