The Arizona Wildcats are trailing the No. 9 USC Trojans, 21-13, at halftime on Saturday afternoon. The Trojans are having little trouble moving the ball, but a combination of penalties and Arizona red-zone defense has kept them from running up a big point total. Still, USC came up with three touchdowns before halftime to pull out in front.
USC appeared to be in position to score at the beginning of the second quarter, but running back Silas Redd fumbled the ball away on the Arizona 16-yard line. It was the second straight time a Trojans drive ended inside the red zone.
On USC's next drive, Matt Barkley hit Marqise Lee on a 50-yard pass to set the Trojans up deep in Arizona territory for the fourth time on the day. The Trojans would finally get on the board when Barkley hit Xavier Grimble on a tight end screen for a 12-yard touchdown. Robert Woods made a big block to spring Grimble on the play.
Marquis Flowers picked off Barkley for the second time on USC's next possession, but the Arizona offense stalled in Trojans territory after failing on a fourth-down attempt.
Lee put the Trojans in front on the ensuing possession with a 49-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Lee has 12 catches for 255 yards through two quarters.
Arizona drove inside the USC 30 on the next possession, but appeared to give the ball away on an interception. Fortunately for the Wildcats, Jawanza Starling fumbled on the return and Arizona was given new life. John Bonano hit a 43-yard field goal attempt to finish the first-half scoring for the Wildcats.
The Trojans went on to add another score before halftime, with Lee making three catches on the drive. D.J. Morgan scored from three yards out to extend the USC lead.
The Wildcats weren't done, and drove into USC territory after a big kickoff return. Bonano hit another field goal to trim the deficit to 5, but the field goal was waived off due to holding. He would miss the next attempt from 37 yards.
The Wildcats get the ball to start the second half.