Defense stages second-half shutout

Stewart picked off the pass, and USC took its first lead six plays later when Bryan Jackson rumbled into the end zone for his second score of the day.

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LINCOLN RILEY enjoys a moment with Prince Strachan in the second half.

[USC, from D1] Stewart.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava came back from a a shaky first half to help steady the Trojans in the second. But he owed much of his afternoon to Lemon’s stellar efforts, as well as fellow wideout Ja’Kobi Lane, who had 65 yards, most of which came on catches that would rate difficult or impossible for a mere mortal.

The victory sets up for one of the best games of the college calendar next week, as USC travels to No. 8 Oregon, with a chance to leap into the playoff conversation with a win. The fact that the Trojans were in that position was particularly fortunate, considering how things started Saturday.