(A/P Photo)
It was not the most exciting game, especially considering some of the history when these two teams have met on the field. In this latest version of the Crosstown Rivalry, the Trojans capitalized on a strong performance from its defense to knock off the Bruins, 28-7.
Neither team scored an offensive touchdown until USC tailback, Allen Bradford, scampered into the end zone on a one-yard run midway through the third quarter.
During the first half of play, both defenses for both teams showed why, when they are on, they are tough to beat.
If not for a Malcolm Smith pick-six of Bruins' quarterback, Kevin Prince, both teams would have more than likely gone into halftime, scoreless.
However, USC had the bigger defensive performance and made impact plays on the field when they needed to be made.
Smith's interception and subsequent 62-yard return for a touchdown put the Trojans up early with a 7-0 lead.
Bradford's touchdown run gave USC a 14-0 lead in the third quarter.
It looked as though the Trojans might run away with it at this point, with the Bruins' offense proving to be horrible at best; however, with Kevin Craft replacing Prince at quarterback, UCLA drove down the field, albeit taking baby steps all along the way, and scored on a Chane Moline 2-yard run to cut USC's lead in half, 14-7.
Following the Bruins' touchdown, the Trojans finally seemed to find a little rhythm on offense.
Matt Barkley completed 4-of-5 passes for 43 yards and Allen Bradford rushed 4 times for 30 yards, capping off the drive with his second rushing touchdown of the night, putting the Trojans up 21-7 with time winding down.
USC made it 28-7 with time winding down after Barkley connected through the air for a 48 yard touchdown to Damian Williams, who showed no signs of that high ankle sprain he suffered against Arizona State.
Beyond the solid performance by the Trojans' defenders, who routinely shut down almost everything the Bruins threw at them during the game, Bradford proved to be the difference maker when it mattered most.
In addition, along with his 62-yard interception return for a touchdown, Trojans' linebacker, Malcolm Smith, had a busy evening leading the team with 15 tackles and adding 1.5 tackles for a loss.
The Trojans' defense wreaked havoc on the Bruins' offense all night, combining 6 tackles for a loss on the night, 3 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions, and 1 sack.
Bradford, USC's enigmatic tailback for the past few games, finally got back into prime form, bulldozing through UCLA defenders for 62 yards on the ground to go along with his two rushing touchdowns.
Next up for USC is its final home game, as well as final game of the Pac-10 season, against a tough Arizona Wildcats team.
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