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USC edges Stanford in yet another close game between the schools

graham watson

There was little doubt the USC-Stanford game was going to come down to the final play — almost all of the games between these two teams in the past five seasons have.

So when USC linebacker J.R. Tavai came shooting around the line and hit quarterback Kevin Hogan from behind, forcing a fumble USC would recover with just seconds remaining, it was the perfect ending to defensively tight game.

Tavai’s hit ended what could have been a game-tying or even game-winning drive by the Cardinal and gave USC a 13-10 win.

USC kicker Andre Hedari hit a career-long 53-yard field goal with 2:30 remaining to put the Trojans ahead and give them their second consecutive win in this series. Oddly enough, it was a late field goal by Hedari that won the game last season.

While the game will be touted as a defensive battle, Stanford had multiple opportunities to take the lead early. The Cardinal had nine trips inside the USC 28-yard line and came away with just 10 points. They missed two field goals, which caused coach David Shaw to steer away from the kicking game and try his luck with his offense. In the second half, Stanford failed to convert a fourth down on the USC 3-yard line. Hogan fumbled at the USC 32. It punted from the USC 32-yard line in the fourth quarter with the game tied instead of trying for a field goal.

Stanford actually outgained USC 413 to 291, but its offensive ineptitude inside the Trojans 30-yard line, as well as eight penalties for 68 yards, caught up to the Cardinal in the end.

USC couldn’t have asked for a better possible start to the Pac-12 season. Stanford is one of four currently ranked teams on the Trojans schedule and getting over this obstacle will be a huge boost as they go back into nonconference play against Boston College.

Stanford has a game against Army next week before facing a brutal Pac-12 gauntlet. The Cardinal has to do something about its kicking game and red zone offense in the coming weeks, or this is going to be a long season.

For more USC news, visit TrojanSports.com.

For more Stanford news, visit CardinalSportsReport.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!

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