Sun Devils play host to 12th-ranked Trojans

I know you’re wondering.

When was the last time the USC Trojans, the premier football program in the Pac-10, lost two games in a row?

You’d have to go all the way back to 2001, head coach Pete Carroll’s first year in Los Angeles, when USC actually lost four straight to Kansas State, Oregon, Stanford and Washington by a combined total of 14 points. Since then, the Trojans are an unbelievable 93-13– a winning percentage of .877.

Tonight, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, the 12th-ranked Trojans, coming off their worst loss since 1997, will once again try to avoid back-to-back losses against the 4-4 Arizona State Sun Devils.

The Trojans were simply run off the field last week at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, losing 47-20 to the Oregon Ducks. The vaunted USC defense allowed 613 total yards to the Ducks, including almost 400 on the ground.

ASU suffered a loss of their own last Saturday, but of a much different nature. Cal’s Giorgio Tavecchio kicked a 24-yard field goal with just :21 left to hand the Sun Devils a 23-21 loss. It was the 2nd time this season Arizona State has lost on a late field goal. Back in September, the Sun Devils lost to Georgia on a field goal with no time left in Athens.

The Trojans are looking to get back in the win column, while the Sun Devils are clinging to postseason hopes tonight in Tempe.

By The Numbers

9

The number of consecutive victories by USC in this rivalry. Arizona State last won 26-16 in 1999.

1-6

ASU head coach Dennis Erickson’s career record vs. USC. Erickson’s Oregon State team beat USC 31-21 in 2000.

8-0

USC head coach Pete Carroll’s career record vs. Arizona State.

3

The number of players on the USC roster from the state of Arizona. They are defensive end Everson Griffen (Avondale), defensive end Devon Kennard (Phoenix) and offensive lineman Kristofer O’Dowd (Tucson).

41

The number of players on ASU’s roster from the state of California.

56,000

The projected attendance at tonight’s game at Sun Devil Stadium.

10.5

The Sun Devils are a 10.5 point underdog.

9

The number of touchdown passes thrown this season by all-everything USC freshman QB Matt Barkley.

8

The number of touchdown passes thrown this season by much-maligned ASU senior QB Danny Sullivan.

4 of 17 for 28 yards and 2 interceptions

Sullivan’s passing line vs. USC last season in relief of Rudy Carpenter in a 28-0 loss to the Trojans.

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