SEATTLE (AP) – Sam Darnold threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns and Southern California upset No. 4 Washington 26-13 on Saturday night, snapping the Huskies’ 12-game winning streak and damaging their College Football Playoff hopes.
Darnold was outstanding against one of the top defenses in the Pac-12, showing why USC has surged since he became the starter. Darnold’s lofted pass over linebacker D.J. Beavers and into the arms of tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe for an 8-yard touchdown strike in the opening moments of the fourth quarter gave USC an 11-point lead that Washington (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12, No. 4 CFP) couldn’t overcome.
Ronald Jones II added 93 yards rushing and a touchdown. USC (7-3, 6-2, No. 20 CFP) won its sixth straight and should get back into the AP Top 25 . The Trojans also kept alive their slim hopes of winning the Pac-12 South.
Washington coach Chris Petersen cautioned all week that USC was back to looking like the most talented team in the Pac-12 and he was proved correct. Darnold flustered Washington’s defense by keeping plays alive with his feet and found gaps in the Huskies secondary that have been difficult for others to find.
Darreus Rogers had six catches for 84 yards and a touchdown, while Imatorbhebhe added five catches for 78 yards. Washington lost starting middle linebacker Azeem Victor in the second quarter to a lower right leg injury that required an air cast and a cart to take the Huskies’ leading tackler off the field. But his absence was felt more in the pass game where USC exploited the middle of the field.