Los Angeles, CA – The University of Southern California hosted the Fresno State Bulldogs to kick off the 2019 college football season. The USC Trojans had a rocky year last season with a record of 5-7 and look to turn that around. After an up and down game and the Trojans saw their starting quarterback JT Daniels get carries off the field, they were able to hold on late for a 31-23 win over the Bulldogs.
In the first half, USC took an early lead after scoring on their first position. They burned four and a half minutes and then were able to stop Fresno State on their first possession. The Trojans went on to score again leaving almost eight minutes left in the first quarter. By commanding the lead at 14-0 early the Trojans were able to control the game how they wanted. Unfortunately for them, Fresno State was not going to go into the night quietly. The Bulldogs late in the first put up their first points with a field goal.
Fresno States defense was able to stop the advancing drive from the Trojans and forced them to kick a field goal. With about ten minutes left in the second quarter the Bulldogs move the ball wonderfully downfield and find the end zone for the first time. This puts the Bulldogs in striking distance to the Trojans. USC’s next drive would result in JT Daniels throwing an interception in the end zone giving Fresno State a touchback and the ball back. USC’s next possession starts on the USC 20-yard line and ends on the Fresno State 15-yard line, where Daniels was sacked and fumbled the ball. This play would result in Daniels suffering a leg injury and leaves the game. This gives freshman Kedon Slovis his chance to take over the helm in the second half.
Since Fresno State choose to kick off they receive to start the second half. With the first possession of the second half the Bulldogs are looking to try and come back from a seven point deficit. Fresno State starts on their 25-yard line and moves it all the way to the Trojan 1-yard line, where Fresno State quarterback Jorge Reyna was tackled for a loss of 3-yards after he tried to run the ball. Reyna Fumbled on the play and USC’s Juliana Falaniko picked up the loose ball. USC would go on to not move the ball very far before a strip fumble occurred. Tyler Vaughns was tackled and Arron Mosby was accredited the forced fumble.
That fumble gave Fresno State the momentum and field position they were looking for. The USC fans and players were upset about the forced fumble due to thinking the Vaughns was down. Fresno State had to settle for a field goal on this drive putting the score at 17-13 USC leading by a short margin. The Bulldogs kick off the ball and to their surprise, Velus Jones Jr. returns the kick-off for 100-yards extending the Trojan lead to 24-13 late in the third quarter. This was the first time that a USC player has returned a kick off for a 100-yard since Adoree Jackson in 2016. Fresno State was stopped on their next possession giving USC another chance to score before the end of the third quarter. USC started the drive at their 20-yard line and quickly the Trojans made their way to the Fresno State 44-yard line. This is where Slovis would connect with Vaughns on a 41-yard pass, putting USC right on the Bulldogs 3-yard line. The Trojans powered their way into the end zone yet again extending the lead to 31-13.
Fresno State started the fourth quarter with the ball and great field position due to a 52-yard completion from Reyna to Derrion Grim, this put them on the USC 39-yard line. The USC defense was able to come up with a couple of key stops and forced the Bulldogs to kick a field goal, closing the gap to 31-16. The Trojan offense struggled a bit after the last touchdown in the third quarter, in fact, that was the last points they scored in the game. After a USC three and out they punted the ball to Fresno State.
The Bulldogs on this possession take it from their own 31-yard line and in an impressive four-minute drive was able to find the end zone again cutting the Trojan lead down to just eight points. Trojans next drive produced some good years but ended with a loss of yards and a turn over on downs giving the Bulldogs just enough room and time to try and make a last-minute comeback. Fresno State’s Reyna clearly trying to get the ball in the end zone throws a deep ball on 4th and 10 and connects with Chris Coleman. Reyna the very next play attempts at a pass into the end zone but it is picked off by Isaiah Pola-Mao giving the ball back to USC. There was just enough time for them to run a couple of plays and get the first down. This would effectively be the end of the game.
USC might have been able to come out on top but with the loss of Daniels, this season may be harder than it was last year. When asked about the injury to Daniels, coach Clay Helton said that “The x-ray came back negative and he will be getting an MRI tonight and we will have to wait and see”. This could be good news for the Trojans but only time will tell. Fresno State put up a great effort especially their quarterback, Reyna, who debut in his first college football game tonight. He was explosive and will more than likely do great things for the Bulldogs. The next USC Trojans football game is scheduled to be against Stanford at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on ESPN September 7th at 7:30 PM PT.
