The USC Trojans were able to improve to 4-0 on Saturday, holding on for a 42-35 win over Rutgers. It wasn’t the most impressive win, as Rutgers is 0-3 but USC was able to secure the Big Ten Conference road win.
After a Week 2 shutout against Fresno State, the USC defense has allowed 30 and 35 points in consecutive weeks. The Trojans hired Gary Patterson this offseason to help revamp the USC defense but after one conference game, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
USC took a 10-0 lead less than seven minutes into the game but from there, things got a bit hairy. The Trojans led 27-14 early in the second half but Rutgers was able to move the ball against the USC defense. The Scarlet Knights scored three second half touchdowns but Rutgers ultimately
came up one stop short, losing by a touchdown.
Trojans Wire writer Matt Zemek wrote about USC’s close call in New Jersey.
“A week ago, it seemed that USC football had the upper hand against Oregon. After Saturday's awful showing at Rutgers, it's hard to give the Trojans any kind of advantage over the Ducks. Lincoln Riley squandered his first four seasons at USC. He is on the verge of wasting a fifth season, which might be his last in Los Angeles,” Zemek wrote. “Different coordinator, same bad defense. At some point, it goes to the top of the food chain. Lincoln Riley fields soft defenses. It was true at Oklahoma, it's still true at USC in Year 5. Let's be honest with ourselves.”
The UCLA Bruins will hope to give USC a road loss later this year, when the Bruins host the Trojans at the Rose Bowl in the regular season finale.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: USC avoids a close call with Rutgers, leave New Jersey with 42-35 win
