Arizona Wildcats fall to USC Trojans 38-31

Oct 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback B.J. Denker (7) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In a game at the half that seemed like USC was going to run away with it, the Arizona Wildcats came back in the second half but fell short 38-31.

Arizona Wildcats quarterback B.J. Denker had a hell of a game, playing flawless for the most part. In the passing game, Denker threw for 362 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Denker’s best throws would come in the second half and three of those were touchdowns to help Arizona get back in the game.

The Arizona running game still was consistent meaning Ka’Deem Carey was still a running machine. Carey rushed for 138 yards on 21 carries and had zero touchdowns. On the other hand, the Arizona defense could not stop USC’s offense.

In the Trojans’ first game under the coaching of Ed Orgeron, the offense had a lot of big plays. Quarterback Cody Kessler had a good game throwing for 297 yards and two touchdowns, while the running attack went off.

The USC rushing attack was running back by committee and it worked. Silas Redd who came in for an injured Tre Madden, carried the ball 19 times for 80 rushing yards, and also finished out the game and solidifying the win for USC. Justin Davis had nine carries for 38 yards and a touchdown, Javorius Allen had six carries for 37 yards and a touchdown, Ty Isaac had three carries for 36 yards and finally before going out with a hamstring injury Tre Madden had 28 rushing yards on five carries.

Something that the Wildcats’ defense will have to improve on is every facet of the game and causing turnovers, which they did not do tonight. They need to limit wide receivers to at least 100 yards receiving which they did not do tonight as USC’s Nelson Agholor had a huge game with seven catches for 161 yards and a touchdown. He was Kessler’s favorite target all night.

With tonight’s lost, Arizona is now 3-2 on the season and 0-2 in the Pac-12. Their next game is on Saturday, October 19th at 9:00 pm ET against the Utah Utes. This will be a home game for the Wildcats and it will be shown on the Pac-12 network.