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Los Angeles • Utah State's attempt to upset USC on Saturday afternoon couldn't have started better.
The Aggie defense forced a punt on the Trojans' first possession and the offense moved to midfield to begin winning the battle for field position.
But it was downhill from there.
USC blocked a Utah State punt, turned it into an early touchdown and ended up cruising to a 45-7 victory over the Aggies in front of an announced crowd of 62,487 fans at the L.A. Coliseum.
Given the domination of their defense, the Trojans probably would have won even if Utah State hadn't made such a critical mistake in the opening three minutes of the game.
The Aggies managed only 253 yards of total offense and 13 first downs. They didn't score until the final play of the third quarter, when quarterback Kent Myers threw a six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Wyatt Houston to make it 31-7.
When Michael Pittman Jr. blocked Aaron Dalton's first punt, however, USC needed only three plays from the six-yard line to knock the Aggies on their heels.
"We certainly didn't make enough plays early in the game," Utah State coach Matt Wells said. "It's hard when you think you're moving a ball a little bit, you stop them on defense and then you have a blocked punt for a touch.
"It's certainly a huge momentum boost for the team that does that. I don't think did much to us, in terms of emotionally. But it's a big play in the game. No question about it."
Asked if Dalton might have taken too much time with his attempt to bury the Trojans inside their own 5, Wells said, "I'm not sure. We'll certainly look at that when we look at the video. I didn't get a get-off time so I don't know."
According to Houston, the offense's inability to move the ball against USC's defense was the key to the outcome. The early mistake on special teams, though, might have helped restore the Trojans' confidence after they lost their season opener at Alabama last week, 52-6.
"Any time there is a blocked punt, coaches tell us the statistic all the time," Houston said. "I think it's in the high 80s or 90s. If there is a blocked punt, that team normally wins. So it's tough to have that early. But we still have a chance at that point and the bottom line is the offense has to play better."
Utah State followed USC's score with its best drive of the first half, which included a 24-yard pass from Myers to freshman Rayshad Lewis. Brock Warren missed badly on a 37-yard field goal attempt, though.
In the second quarter, USC owned a late 14-0 lead when Myers underthrew Lewis. Leon McQuay intercepted and the Trojans buried the Aggies on Max Browne's 2-yard touchdown pass to Steven Mitchell Jr. with 19 seconds left.
"We've got to make a play right there," Wells said, "and get them off the field."
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Storylines
R Junior quarterback Max Browne throws two touchdown passes.
• The Trojans use a blocked punt to score an early TD and set the tone for the rout.
• The Aggies' only score comes on the final play of the third quarter.