11:30 PM EST: That will do it for VAVEL USA's LIVE coverage of this Pac-12 rivalry game. The UCLA Bruins defeat their crosstown rivals, the USC Trojans, by a score of 38-20 at the Rose Bowl. Stay tuned to VAVEL USA for more coverage of college football.
11:29 PM EST: The Bruins outgained the Trojans in terms of yardage the entire night, with the final total being 461-276 in favor of the powder blue.
11:27 PM EST: USC is out of the title picture in the Pac-12 South and they fall to 7-4 overall, 6-3 in the Pac-12. UCLA is one step closer to reaching the Pac-12 Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks, as they are now 9-2 overall with a 6-2 conference record.
4th (00:00) And that is the end of the game. The UCLA Bruins defeat their rivals USC for the third year in a row, 38-20.
4th (00:22) Buck Allen runs the ball on the last play of the game.
4th (00:27) The punt is fair caught by Nelson Agholor at his own 18 yard line. First down USC.
4th (00:34) Jim Mora calls a timeout, UCLA's second of the half, in order to run down as much of the clock as possible. It's all but over for the Trojans tonight.
4th (1:14) Perkins is stopped for no gain again and the last punt of the game is coming up.
4th (1:54) It will be third and very long after another Perkins run, this one for no gain.
4th (2:36) Paul Perkins rushes the ball up the middle as UCLA attempts to run out the clock late in the fourth.
4th (2:59) A good run by Nate Starks is called back for holding as the game continues to get sloppier as time goes on.
4th (3:08) USC recovers their onside kick but they're called for illegal touching so the Bruins will get the ball.
4th Quarter: That touchdown drive for USC lasted 15 plays and went 91 yards in 5:36.
4th (3:08) USC finally gets the play off and they come up short yet again. UCLA leads USC 38-20.
4th (3:08) The Trojans need to burn a timeout, their second of the half.
4th Quarter: The call on the field stands, USC will attempt the try again.
4th Quarter: The call of a failed conversion attempt on the field is under review.
4th (3:08) Roughing the passer is called which negates a stop by the Bruins defense. USC will get another chance from the 1 yard line.
4th (3:08) Allen takes a handoff up the middle and he scores. USC will be going for two.
4th (3:21) Allen makes a great catch and picks up 11 to set up a first and goal.
4th (3:28) Juju Smith is interfered with on a deep throw to the endzone so the Trojans will get another first down via penalty.
4th (4:05) The pass is complete but short of the marker, it's fourth and two.
4th (4:48) On second and medium, Kessler gets sacked for the sixth time by the UCLA front seven. Third and long coming up.
4th (5:22) Kessler misses the mark on his throw but UCLA is called for holding, which gives USC an automatic first down.
4th (5:58) It will be third and long after a short dive play up the middle.
4th (6:20) UCLA sacks Cody Kessler for the fifth time tonight.
4th (6:45) Kessler is forced to move and he finds a man back across his body and completes the pass for another first down.
4th (7:06) Juju Smith makes a nice catch near the boundary for a first down.
4th (7:44) After a 5 yard screen to Javorius Allen, it's 3rd and 5 for USC.
4th (8:06) 2 runs by Justin Davis gets the Trojans out to the 26 yard line with a first down.
4th Quarter: That fumble is UCLA's second turnover of the game, the first since their opening offensive play when Hundley was intercepted and had it returned for a score.
4th (8:44) Hundley fumbles the ball and USC recovers deep in their own territory. They'll have a first down.
4th (9:03) This time Starks receives a screen pass and he takes it all the way down to the 2 yard line. First and goal UCLA.
4th (9:29) Starks runs it again for another first down. UCLA is trying to run off as much clock as possible at this point.
4th (10:22) Nate Starks runs up the middle for a big gain and a first down.
4th (10:40) Hundley continues to throw receiver screens and they continue to work, as UCLA now has a third and short coming up.
4th (11:18) Brett Hundley finds Mossi Johnson on a slant over the middle for a big gain and a first down.
4th (12:01) UCLA is keeping the ball on the ground to try and run some clock. It's third down for the Bruins.
4th (12:39) The Bruins will start from their own 24 yard line after the punt with no return.
4th (13:11) Agholor makes the catch on an underneath crossing route and he only gains 4. Fourth down for the Trojans.
4th (13:54) Allen tries to run this time and he barely inches past the line of scrimmage. It's going to be 3rd and 11.
4th (14:38) Buck Allen gets a screen thrown his way by UCLA stops the play for a loss.
4th (14:45) Nelson Agholor returns the punt and ends up losing yardage when he reverses field and angles himself backwards. First down Trojans.
3rd Quarter: The pass rush for both teams has been one of the main stories of this game. USC has gotten surprisingly little pressure on Brett Hundley throughout the game, while UCLA has been harrassing Cody Kessler in the backfield all night long.
3rd Quarter: The gap in yardage is widening between these two teams, as the Bruins have outgained the Trojans now 391-200 for the game.
3rd (00:00) That is the end of the third quarter at the Rose Bowl. UCLA is all over USC tonight, 38-14.
3rd (00:23) James runs it again and he is stopped for a minimal gain. A punt will be coming.
3rd (1:00) Jordan James runs it for the Bruins and he goes nowhere. It's third and long.
3rd (1:11) The punt is not returned and it is downed at the 10 yard line. First down UCLA.
3rd (1:16) UCLA calls their first timeout of the half.
3rd (1:44) Cody Kessler is forced to run as his pocket deteriorates rapidly again and he goes nowhere. Another punt is coming up.
3rd (1:52) There is a Bruin slow to get up after a big hit on an incomplete pass. Third down is coming up for the Trojans.
3rd (2:00) USC uses their first timeout of the half as they play clock neared zero.
3rd (2:40) Cody Kessler somehow avoids a sack with three guys in his face and passes downfield, but the whole play is called back due to another penalty, this one for holding.
3rd (2:50) Nelson Agholor is bumped out of bounds at his 30 yard line and a late hit out of bounds is called UCLA. The Trojans will start at the 45 yard line.
3rd (3:00) USC brings a blitz and Hundley has to throw it to nobody to avoid a sack. Fourth down.
3rd (3:05) Hundley gets plenty of time but has to throw the ball away. 3rd and 7 coming up for the Bruins.
3rd (4:00) Perkins breaks a couple of tackles and gets to the 29 for a first down.
3rd (4:26) It's going to be third and short after a run up the middle for afew yards by Paul Perkins.
3rd (4:59) The punt bounces out of bounds at the 11 yard line. Here comes the Bruins offense.
3rd (5:15) Kessler is sacked again as the offensive line for USC can't stop anyone. That's the fourth sack of the night and the Trojans will have to punt again.
3rd (5:53) Allen makes a nice run to the outside to set up a third and short for the Trojans.
3rd (6:36) Kessler is forced to move and he drills a throw on the run to his receiver George Farmer to pick up a first down.
3rd (7:13) Kessler is sacked yet again, once more with only a four man rush coming at him. It's third and long.
3rd (7:48) Allen gains four on the ground, second down coming up.
3rd (8:08) USC draws another flag, this one for a false start. It will be 1st and 15.
3rd (8:35) Buck Allen catches a screen pass over the middle and reaches the 39 for a first down.
3rd (9:18) USC will start at their own 21 after the kickoff return. Here comes Cody Kessler and the offense.
3rd Quarter: Hundley is also now the all-time leader in yardage as a quarterback at UCLA, passing Cade McNown.
3rd Quarter: That run by Hundley, the first designed run of the game for the Bruins' QB, was his eighth rushing TD of the season.
3rd (9:22) Fairbairn's extra point is true and the rout is on in Pasadena. UCLA now leads USC 38-14.
3rd (9:22) Brett Hundley runs it right up the middle and scores a touchdown from 15 out.
3rd (9:41) USC gets called for a facemask, and it was a major one, at the end of the play. UCLA will have a first down all the way down to the Trojans' 15.
3rd (9:41) Mossi Johnson catches a screen off of backfield motion and runs for a big gain with it.
3rd (10:18) After an incomplete pass there's a minor scrum that breaks out after the play. Unsportsmanlike conduct is called against USC's star defensive end Leonard Williams. 15 yards and a first for the Bruins.
3rd Quarter: Owa Odighizua picked up that last sack for the Bruins, their second of the night on Kessler. Their pass rush has been much more effective than that of the Trojans, which is quite a surprsie considering the woes of UCLA's offensive line.
3rd (10:22) After a big USC roll, UCLA will start at their own 33 yard line.
3rd (11:00) The pocket collapses on Kessler immediately on just a simple four man rush and he is sacked. Here comes a punt.
3rd (11:23) After a minimal gain by Buck Allen it's third and long for the Trojans.
3rd (11:35) Cody Kessler has yet another pass batted up in the air. He's lucky to only have one interception against him tonight.
3rd (11:43) This kickoff is returned to about the 20 yard line, and that is where USC will start their first drive of the second half.
3rd Quarter: Paul Perkins now has 70 yards rushing on 16 carries (a 4.4 YPC average) with a touchdown.
3rd Quarter: That scoring drive took just 3:07 of game time over 9 plays, going 84 yards for the touchdown.
3rd (11:48) Perkins runs to the outside again on a read option sweep and he takes it in for a touchdown. The extra point is good and UCLA is fully in control. The Bruins lead the Trojans 31-14.
3rd (12:12) Mossi Johnson makes his second catch, this one on a screen and he picks up a first down.
3rd (12:50) Third and long is coming up from the USC 20 yard line.
3rd Quarter: That catch by Duarte was the play of the game so far, it was a beautiful over-the-shoulder basket catch on the boundary.
3rd (13:43) Thomas Duarte makes a fantastic catch down the sideline and picked up 38 yards.
3rd (14:10) Paul Perkins takes an outside handoff all the way to the 40 yard line for another Bruins first down.
3rd (14:15) Hundley completes a pass to Devin Lucien for a first down.
3rd (14:38) On second down Brett Hundley threw yet another wide receiver screen and it was nearly picked off. Third down.
3rd (14:55) Ishmael Adams returns the opening kick of the second half to the 16. First down UCLA.
1st Half: The Bruins will receive the second half kickoff, already leading by 10.
1st Half: Both teams have been fairley successful on third down thus far. USC is 6 of 10 on third down conversion attempts, while UCLA is 4 of 8.
1st Half: Javorius "Buck" Allen picked up 38 rushing yards on 8 carries in the first half to lead the Trojans. Paul Perkins is UCLA's leading rusher with 44 yards on 11 carries.
1st Half: Hundley hit 9 different receivers in the first half, with his leading receiver being Devin Fuller, who has 5 receptions for 63 yards. Juju Smith had a good first half and is USC's leading receiver, catching 3 passes for 68 yards in the first half.
1st Half: Cody Kessler did not have as successful of a half as his counterpart, going just 10/19 for 119 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception, good for a 112.1 passer efficiency rating.
1st Half: It was a big half for Brett Hundley, who went 15/19 passing for 201 yards with 3 touchdowns (each to a different receiver) with 1 interception, which came on his first pass of the game and was returned for a touchdown by USC.
1st Half: UCLA outgained USC in yardage in the first half 248-172. The Bruins are averaging 6.38 yards per play, while the Trojans are averaging just 4.78 YPP.
2nd (00:00) That will end the first half. UCLA is in control in this matchup, leading the USC Trojans 24-14 heading into halftime.
2nd (00:08) Javorius Allen runs it up the middle on the last play of the half.
2nd (00:14) Fairbairn's kick sails out of the endzone for a touchback. FIrst and 10 for the Trojans at their own 25.
2nd Quarter: That is Brett Hundley's third TD pass of the day, each one to a different receiver.
2nd (00:14) Brett Hundley finds Eldridge Massington in the endzone with man coverage for a touchdown. The extra point is good and UCLA extends their lead over USC to 24-14.
2nd (00:41) On 3rd and 1 Hundley dives to the 13 for a first down.
2nd (1:02) Payton makes a catch this time, very close to the first down.
2nd (1:09) Hundley throws to the back shoulder of Payton and it falls incomplete. Second down.
2nd (1:36) Jordan James gets the first down on the ground at the 24.
2nd (1:59) Hundley runs the ball but is stopped inches short of the mark. It's third down.
2nd (2:31) The wide receiver screens continue as another one is thrown by Hundley and it goes for 9 more yards.
2nd (2:44) Jordan Payton makes a catch right at the marker on the sideline for another Bruins first down.
2nd (3:36) Devin Fuller's big day continues as he gets another wide receiver screen and picks up a first down.
2nd (3:59) Paul Perkins gains 9 on a shotgun sweep to the far side.
2nd Quarter: The call on the field stands, it will be UCLA ball.
2nd Quarter: The ruling on the field of an interception is under review. They're checking to see if the interception was made in bounds by Eric Kendricks.
2nd (4:08) UCLA brings the blitz from the far edge and it forces Kessler into a bad throw which is intercepted. The Bruins will take over.
2nd (4:34) Allen gets the ball again and drags defenders with him for a big first down pickup.
2nd Quarter: This is usually a spot for Nelson Agholor but he has been shut down so far today.
2nd (5:15) Allen gains 6 on a second down run, third down is coming up.
2nd (5:47) Juju Smith found a seam in the slot and picks up 31 yards on a good pass from Cody Kessler. First down.
2nd (5:54) Ka'imi Fairbairn has another kickoff knelt down for a touchback. USC will start at their own 25.
1st Half: The running game for the Bruins hasn't been very successful thus far, as they've only rushed for 31 yards on 15 carries.
1st Half: Brett Hundley has been efficient so far on short and intermediate throws, but he has not gotten the deep ball to work quite yet.
2nd (5:54) The 32-yard field goal attempt is good and UCLA takes the lead again, now leading 17-14.
2nd (6:32) Jordan Payton makes his first catch and gains 14 yards to set up a shorter field goal.
2nd (6:43) Hundley throws deep again but it goes over his receiver's head to set up third and long.
2nd (7:25) Hundley tries a quarterback draw and only gets two yards. The USC front seven has played well so far in this game.
2nd (7:45) A good catch on the sideline is negated by a holding call on the UCLA offensive line. It's going to be 1st and 20 for the Bruins.
2nd (8:12) This time Jack takes a handoff up the middle for a first down near the 20 yard line.
2nd (8:34) Myles Jack takes a screen out of the backfield for seven. Good play design on that play.
2nd Quarter: That deep ball that was broken up is the only the second incomplete pass thrown by Hundley in the half.
2nd (8:41) USC takes their first timeout of the half.
2nd (8:57) A difficult catch is made right at the sticks for a first down by Mossi Johnson.
2nd (9:30) Perkins picks up 5 to set up a 3rd and 5 at the 45.
2nd (9:36) After a first down pickup by Paul Perkins on the ground, Brett Hundley throws deep and the pass is nearly intercepted. Second down.
2nd (10:32) Devin Fuller takes another wide receiver screen for a big gain and a first down.
2nd (11:07) Adams returns the short kickoff to the 24. First down.
2nd (11:09) The extra point is good and we are all tied up at 14.
2nd Quarter: That is Davis' second receiving touchdown of the year and the 30th passing TD for Cody Kessler.
2nd (11:09) Davis grabs a screen pass and just reaches the pylon for a touchdown.
2nd (11:50) Justin Davis runs to the 1 and then Kessler runs a draw for a short loss, so third and goal is coming up for the Trojans.
2nd (12:24) Juju Smith makes a great catch on 3rd and 10 down at the 4 yard line, keeping one foot down.
2nd (12:32) UCLA calls their second timeout to avoid a substitution penalty.
2nd (12:32) Kessler overthrows his man and it's third down for the Trojans.
2nd (12:50) Justin Davis gets a first down on a 16 yard run.
1st Half: It's been a rough night punting for Matt Mengel so far; he's barely averaging over 26 yards per kick.
2nd (13:33) Agholor calls for a fair catch and grabs it at the 46 of UCLA. That is where USC will start.
2nd (13:59) A slip screen only goes for 3 yards and fourth down will come up.
2nd (14:32) It will be third and five after a second straight run goes nowhere for Perkins.
2nd (14:56) The first play of the second quarter is a five yard rush.
1st Quarter: The Trojans were successful bringing pressure in the first quarter; expect more blitz packages as the game goes on.
1st Quarter: In total, UCLA outgained USC 100-78 in the first period of play.
1st Quarter: It's been a slower start for Cody Kessler, who is just 6/12 for 44 yards.
1st Quarter: After getting intercepted on his first pass, Brett Hundley has completed his last 5 passes for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns.
1st (00:00) USC goes for it on fourth down and Allen gets swallowed up right at the line of scrimmage for no gain. UCLA will take over when the second quarter starts.
1st (00:40) Javorius Allen catches a screen pass and takes it for 8 yards, just shy of the first down marker.
1st (1:25) UCLA brings a blitz and sacks Kessler back at the 14. Third and long is coming up for USC.
1st (1:30) UCLA calls timeout just before 2nd and 7 for the Trojans. That's UCLA's first of the half.
1st (2:10) Javorius Allen picks up 12 and a first down on the ground.
1st (2:25) On second down Cody Kessler looks for Nelson Agholor on a deep cross and he can't hold it after a big hit in the endzone. Third and five.
1st (3:07) The snap on the punt is dropped but Matt Mengel somehow gets a kick off anyway, although it only travels 13 yards.
1st (3:37) The pocket collapses and Hundley is sacked for the second time. It's fourth down.
1st (4:03) A wide receiver screen to Fuller nets 7 yards and sets up 3rd and 5 for the Bruins.
1st (4:29) An interior sweep play to Paul Perkins goes for a loss of 2. Second and long.
1st (4:34) Ishmael Adamsn calls for a fair catch at his 19. UCLA will take over on offense.
1st (5:16) The Trojans try a fullback run up the middle and the Bruins shut it down behind the line of scrimmage. It's fourth down.
1st (5:53) Juju Smith makes a move on a short pass and picks up 11 to set up another third and short.
1st (6:24) Nelson Agholor gets called for a false start, USC will have a 2nd and 13 coming up.
1st (7:09) USC picks up a first down on the ground.
1st (7:29) Justin Davis picks up 8 and it will be third and short.
1st (8:01) The kick is taken for another touchback. The Trojans will start at their own 25.
1st Quarter: Since his interception on his first throw, Hundley is 4/4 with 2 touchdowns.
1st (8:02) On the first play of the drive UCLA scores another touchdown through the air. An intermediate dig route to Thomas Duarte gets taken all the way to the house. The extra point is good, it's 14-7 UCLA over USC.
1st Quarter: It's been a slow start for Cody Kessler; he's just 2/7 for 19 yards so far.
1st (8:11) The punt bounces out of bounds at the UCLA 41 yard line. The Bruins' offense will start from there.
1st (8:19) Another pass is tipped and nearly intercepted, this one intended for Agholor. A quick three and out leads to a punt.
1st (8:26) Kessler has to throw his next pass into the ground with pressure in his face and no open receivers. Third down upcoming.
1st (8:33) The pass is batted up in the air on first down and UCLA nearly comes away with a pick of their own. Second down.
1st (8:37) The kick is returned from 7 yards deep in the endzone and UCLA has great kick coverage, stopping the return at the 13. First down Trojans.
1st Quarter: Hundley throws his 18th touchdown pass of the season and it was likely the easiest one; Lucien was completely uncovered by the USC secondary.
1st (8:40) Devin Lucien is wide open in the endzone and Hundley finds him for a touchdown. The extra point barely eeks through and UCLA ties the game at 7.
1st (9:14) It will be third and goal after a slip screen to Devin Fuller only nets two yards.
1st (9:54) Myles Jack gets his first touch of the night, the two-way linebacker, and he gets stuffed for a three yard loss. Second and goal.
1st (9:59) Nelson Agholor muffs the punt and UCLA recovers inside the 10 yards line. Hundley and the Bruins will start with first and goal.
1st (10:28) Hundley throws an option pitch to Paul Perkins who slips and loses three yards. Here comes a punt.
1st (11:03) On second and short, USC brings pressure and Brett Hundley is sacked. Third and medium coming up.
1st (11:36) Devin Fuller takes a screen out of the backfield and breaks a few tackles on his way to midfield for a Bruins first down.
1st (11:50) Ishmael Adams returns the kick from 3 yards deep in the endzone. UCLA's offense is coming back out.
1st Quarter: Linebacker Anthony Sarao is the one who made the play and took the pick for six. That was his second interception of the season, the first coming in USC's opening game against Fresno State.
1st (11:53) The extra point is good. USC leads UCLA 7-0.
1st (11:53) Brett Hundley's first pass of the game is intercepted and returned by USC for a touchdown.
1st (12:41) Steve Sarkisian keeps his offense on the field for a pooch punt and Cody Kessler gets off a good one. UCLA will start from their own 7.
1st (12:49) Kessler went to Agholor again but the pass is broken up over the middle. First punt of the night is coming up.
1st (13:13) It will be a third and medium after a reverse for USC only picks up 5 yards.
1st (13:19) The pass from Kessler is batted away just in front of the receiver. UCLA has gotten a lot of pressure on Kessler early on.
1st (13:41) Agholor makes another catch and picks up the first down, getting pushed out at midfield.
1st (14:15) Third down is coming up after two short runs for the Trojans.
1st (14:5o) Nelson Agholor makes a catch on the first play of the game for a first down.
1st (15:00) The kickoff is kneeled down in the endzone for a touchback. Here comes Cody Kessler and the USC offense.
8:13 PM EST: USC won the toss and will receive the opening kickoff.
8:13 PM EST: On a personnel note, Josh Shaw returns tonight for USC and will play in his first game back from suspension.
8:11 PM EST: This game is likely going to see heavy reliance on running backs, which is good for these two teams; the top two backs in the Pac-12 are in this game, Javorius "Buck" Allen for USC and Paul Perkins for UCLA.
8:02 PM EST: Interesting uniform note for this game: neither team will wear white, they will contrasting colors instead (UCLA in blue, USC in red). Makes the game feel a little more special that way. Kickoff is just a few minutes away.
Kickoff time for the USC Trojans vs. the UCLA Bruins is 8:00 PM EST, 5:00 PM local time from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
If the Bruins win over USC tonight, they will need to win next week at home against the Stanford Cardinal to clinch the Pac-12 South, because of wins by Arizona and Arizona State earlier today. A UCLA loss this week takes them out of contention, while a win this week and loss next week against Stanford will give the division title to the winner of the Arizona/Arizona State game.
The USC Trojans are currently in first place in the Pac-12 South with a 6-2 record in the conference, however they only hold that first place spot because they have played one more conference game than UCLA, Arizona State and Arizona (USC lost to Arizona State earlier this season and defeated Arizona). A loss in this matchup will effectively end the Trojans' shot at making the Pac-12 Championship Game against Oregon, subsequently eliminating them from contention for a New Year's Six bowl game as well.
While Brett Hundley has options in his receiving corps like Jordan Payton and Thomas Duarte to move the ball down field, running back Paul Perkins is going to play the biggest role of any offensive skill-position player, outside of Hundley, for UCLA in this game. The sophomore from Queen Creek, Arizona, already has 1,169 yards this season, averaging 6.2 yards per carry, which is second best in the Pac-12. Perkins is also a not often utilized receiver out of the backfield, but he is effective in that capactiy. While Perkins will need to play well on the ground and play up to his potential, as he has all year, expect for him to see more action in the passing game today if USC is able to get the kind of pressure on Brett Hundley that will quickly break down plays.
This is likely going to be a high-scoring affair in the Rose Bowl, and for the Trojans, don't be surprised is wide receiver Nelson Agholor is the catalyst for plenty of scoring. Coming into this game 8th in the country in receiving yards with 1079 on 82 receptions (which is 5th highest in the FBS), Agholor has been as explosive as any receiver this season. His total of 10 receiving touchdowns this season will increase in all likelihood, barring UCLA's ability to slow him down, which no team has been able to do this season.
The player on the UCLA defense who will be crucial to the Bruins' success is Myles Jack, who makes an impact on both sides of the ball. #30 in blue has been used a sa two-way player over the last two season, taking a decent number of snaps at running back as well as at linebacker. His numbers haven't been as good as a running back this season and has mostly been used as a change of pace back. Defensive is where Jack really shines. His numbers aren't gaudy (68 total tackles, 6 pass breakups) but he is one of the best in the FBS when it comes to disrupting plays. His ability to successfully slow down the USC running game and also play center field well in the passing game will force Cody Kessler to make more plays with his arm.
USC's star defensive end Leonard Williams could be the single most important player in this entire game. Potentially the #1 overall pick in the next NFL Draft, Williams has established himself as an elite pass rusher and a capable player in all facets of the came on the edge. UCLA's offensive line has been poor this season, to say the least, and their inability to protect the quarterback has doomed the Bruins in several instances throughout the season. Brett Hundley's ability as a quarterback is often able to save his team, but he also has a tendency to shift his eyes down in the midst of pressure, leading to more sacks. If Hundley is not able to correct that tendency today, Leonard Williams and the front seven for USC will be able to dominate up front.
UCLA's Brett Hundley has solidified himself as one of the country's best quarterbacks over the past couple of seasons and will likely be a high draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft (assuming he leaves school; he is a true junior this season). Despite not having the most flashy numbers (2,547 yards, 17 touchdowns, 4 intercerptions), Hundley has been very efficient, putting up a 158.1 rating, good for the eighth in the nation. His running ability is one of the biggest assets to the UCLA offense and has been devastating to opposing defenses, due to the fact that he has the ability despite it not being his primary instinct. Make no mistake about it, he will need to throw well against the Trojans' defense, but if USC allows him to run in the open field, Brett Hundley will tear them apart on the ground.
Each of these teams from the Los Angeles area are led by fantastic quarterback play. USC's Cody Kessler is one of the nation's most underrated quarterbacks and has led the Trojans to a very good conference mark so far this season (6-2 in the Pac-12) after the team struggled in their non-conference slate (notably suffering an upset loss against Boston College). Fourth in the nation with a 169.0 passer efficiency rating, Kessler has been an incredibly efficient and effective passer with surprisingly little fanfare. He will need to have a good game if Southern Cal wishes to score the upset over their rivals.
Hello and welcome to VAVEL USA's coverage of college football, tonight featuring a huge matchup USC Trojans vs UCLA Bruins, live from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. UCLA is hoping to keep their College Football Playoff dreams alive, while USC is trying to hold off their rivals and make it into the Pac-12 Championship Game.