We know by now Oregon spent the last week preparing to take out its anger stemming from the Arizona loss out on UCLA, as the Ducks took a 42-10 lead before cruising to a 42-30 win.
Through one half in Tucson, it appears No. 10 Arizona has done the opposite.
The Wildcats trail visiting USC 14-6 at the half after a Casey Skowron field goal was blocked on the final play of the half.
Terris Jones-Grigsby (12 rushes, 32 yards) stepped out with an injury and was replaced by Jared Baker (two rushes, 12 yards), but the Arizona ground game hasn’t gotten going no matter who’s toted the rock, compiling just 38 yards at the half. As such, Arizona has racked up a very un-Rich Rod like 38 passes and 17 runs, as Anu Solomon has completed 23-of-38 passes for 205 yards in the half. Despite helping his fantasy team, 400 passing yards isn’t the path to victory for Arizona.
On the other side, Javorious Allen has punished the Arizona defense with eight carries for 106 yards, including touchdown runs of 34 and 48 yards. He’s also caught a pass for 18 yards.
Cody Kessler has completed 10-of-14 passes for 104 yards and an ultimately meaningless interception, while Nelson Agholor has snagged five passes for 44 yards.
Two short Skowron field goals have provided Arizona’s only points.
It will be interesting to see if Arizona can lean on a USC team that dressed only 50 scholarship players in the second half. The Trojans get the ball to start the second half.