The Washington Huskies entered Memorial Coliseum on Saturday hoping to redeem last week's loss to the Oregon Ducks with a win against the USC Trojans. The game appeared even for a time, but the Trojans turned things on in the second quarter to create an insurmountable lead that became a 40-17 victory.
Washington struggled mightily in the first half, recording only 91 total yards of offense and only one field goal (a 46-yarder by Erik Folk). During that same time frame, the Trojans recorded two rushing touchdowns (a one-yard run by quarterback Matt Barkley and a one-yard run by Marc tyler), one passing touchdown (a nine-yard pass from Barkley to Marqise Lee) and a safety. The Huskies trailed 23-3 at halftime.
Things didn't get much better in the second half for Washington. USC opened the half with an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Marquise Lee. Though the Huskies responded with a touchdown just three plays later on a one-yard run by running back Chris Polk, Trojans running back Curtis McNeal broke off a 79-yard run for a touchdown of his own to maintain a 37-10 edge.
Price suffered his fifth sack of the game on the following drive, and he left the game with a left knee injury. Price ended the game with only 125 passing yards on 12-of-16 passing and didn't see any further action following the third-quarter sack. Nick Montana filled in at signal-caller for the Huskies the rest of the way and ended the game with 73 yards and one touchdown on 9-of-15 passing.
After USC kicked a field goal to start the fourth quarter, Montana ended the period with a 20-yard pass to Kasen Williams. The two scores combined to give USC a 40-17 win for the Trojans.
With the loss, the Huskies fall to 6-4 on the season and 4-3 in the Pac-12. Washington takes on the Oregon St. Beavers on the road next week in their penultimate game of the season.