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Logan • One day after USC rolled to a 45-7 win over Utah State at the L.A. Coliseum, two questions lingered.
How is star running back Devante Mays and will he play Friday night, when the Aggies play Arkansas State at Maverik Stadium?
Utah State needs Mays, of course, but information about his condition or status was not announced by the school on Sunday.
This much is known: Mays was injured in the second half against the Trojans, who took the challenge of stopping him seriously.
Mays had opened the season by rushing 18 times for 208 yards and three touchdowns in Utah State's 45-6 win over Weber State.
Against USC, however, it was a different story.
In the first half, Mays carried seven times for 19 yards, or 2.7 yards per carry.
On the second possession of the third quarter, Utah State started at its own 25-yard line.
On first down, Mays angled off the right side for a 5-yard gain, but he limped off the field.
A few minutes later, Mays was walking on the Aggie sideline on crutches. He did not return and USU slipped to 1-1 on the season.
In addition to shutting down Mays for 21/2 quarters, USC's defense was dominant from start to finish.
"A stellar game," USC coach Clay Helton said.
Utah State managed only 49 yards rushing — the fewest by a USC opponent since pass-happy Washington State in 2014.
The Aggies finished with 253 yards of total offense — the fewest by a Trojan opponent since Oregon State, also in 2014.
Junior quarterback Kent Myers completed 25 of 37 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown. But he was most effective in the second half, after the Trojans built a 31-0 lead.
"The game plan was not to highlight the pass," Utah State coach Matt Wells said. "… The game plan was to be balanced. We were going to mix in the run game, but we didn't get the run game going early on."
Defensively, Utah State got big games from safety Dallin Leavitt and linebacker Anthony Williams.
Leavitt had a career-high 15 tackles, although the fact he was needed so often reflects USC's ability to get the ball to its running backs and receivers on the edges.
Williams had six tackles.
"I saw [him] show up several times and make some nice tackles," Wells said.
By losing in such a lopsided manner, Utah State squandered a chance to prove its worthiness against a Pac-12 opponent.
Said tight end Wyatt Houston, "We treat every game the same. We were excited for it. We're disappointed in the outcome. But you have to give USC some credit. They came out and made plays."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Arkansas State at Utah State
P Friday, 7 p.m.
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