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California at USC

Saturday, November 8, 2008

No. 7 USC beat No. 21 California 17–⁠3. It was their 98th meeting; after it, USC led the series 60–⁠29–⁠5 in the games on file.

Away21California9–⁠4 in 2008
3
Home7USC12–⁠1 in 2008
17

Final at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los AngelesTV: ABCAttendance 88,523

At kickoff
73°F, clear, calmWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Downtown L.A./Usc Campus (KCQT), 1 km from the stadium, 13 minutes before kickoff

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
California03003
USC370717

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

California

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Kevin Riley4/165901
Nate Longshore11/157900
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Jahvid Best133009
Will Ta’ufo’ou121021
Jeremy Ross1505
Shane Vereen5303
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Nyan Boateng443014
Verran Tucker340031
Cameron Morrah120020
Jahvid Best315011

USC

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Mark Sanchez18/2923820
RushingCarYdsTDLong
C.J. Gable1079027
Stafon Johnson1460013
Joe McKnight751016
Stanley Havili1404
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Damian Williams467030
Anthony McCoy453020
Patrick Turner235119
Stanley Havili327012
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Josh Pinkard130

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

CaliforniaUSC
165Total yards411
172Passing yards254
27Rushing yards173
4.5Yards per pass7.9
1.0Yards per rush4.8
13First downs22
5–⁠14Third downs4–⁠11
0–⁠1Fourth downs0–⁠1
1Turnovers1
8–⁠50Penalties10–⁠105
18:41Possession17:45

Efficiency

CaliforniaUSC
28%Success rate46%
−0.13EPA per play0.13
1.13Explosiveness1.02
−0.24Rushing EPA0.14
−0.09Passing EPA0.15
30%Passing-down success48%
−0.40First-down EPA0.06
−0.29Second-down EPA0.43
0.49Third-down EPA0.14

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

USC 78% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

Every drive

USC end zoneCalifornia end zoneQ1 CaliforniaPunt, 3 playsQ1 USCField goal, 8 playsQ1 CaliforniaPunt, 6 playsQ1 USCPunt, 7 playsQ1 CaliforniaField goal, 12 playsQ2 USCTouchdown pass, 6 playsQ2 CaliforniaPunt, 9 playsQ2 USCEnd of half, 6 playsQ3 USCPunt, 5 playsQ3 CaliforniaInterception, 9 playsQ3 USCPunt, 4 playsQ3 CaliforniaPunt, 3 playsQ3 USCPunt, 4 playsQ3 CaliforniaPunt, 5 playsQ3 USCFumble, 6 playsQ4 CaliforniaPunt, 3 playsQ4 USCPunt, 4 playsQ4 CaliforniaPunt, 3 playsQ4 USCTouchdown pass, 13 playsQ4 CaliforniaTurnover on downs, 4 playsQ4 USCTurnover on downs, 4 playsQ4 CaliforniaResult not recorded, 1 play
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. USC drives left to right, California right to left.
  1. Q1 CaliforniaPunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  2. Q1 USCField goal, 8 plays, 56 yards
  3. Q1 CaliforniaPunt, 6 plays, 12 yards
  4. Q1 USCPunt, 7 plays, 41 yards
  5. Q1 CaliforniaField goal, 12 plays, 63 yards
  6. Q2 USCTouchdown pass, 6 plays, 70 yards
  7. Q2 CaliforniaPunt, 9 plays, 15 yards
  8. Q2 USCEnd of half, 6 plays, 24 yards
  9. Q3 USCPunt, 5 plays, 12 yards
  10. Q3 CaliforniaInterception, 9 plays, 69 yards
  11. Q3 USCPunt, 4 plays, 19 yards
  12. Q3 CaliforniaPunt, 3 plays, −2 yards
  13. Q3 USCPunt, 4 plays, 17 yards
  14. Q3 CaliforniaPunt, 5 plays, 31 yards
  15. Q3 USCFumble, 6 plays, 51 yards
  16. Q4 CaliforniaPunt, 3 plays, −3 yards
  17. Q4 USCPunt, 4 plays, 22 yards
  18. Q4 CaliforniaPunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
  19. Q4 USCTouchdown pass, 13 plays, 73 yards
  20. Q4 CaliforniaTurnover on downs, 4 plays, 1 yard
  21. Q4 USCTurnover on downs, 4 plays, 6 yards
  22. Q4 CaliforniaResult not recorded, 1 play, 0 yards

Play by play

1st quarter5 drives, then USC 3, California 0
California Punt, 3 plays
14:401st & 10 at own 29Jahvid Best rush for 6 yards to the Cal 35.
14:002nd & 4 at own 35Jahvid Best rush for 3 yards to the Cal 38.
13:353rd & 1 at own 38Jahvid Best rush for a loss of 6 yards to the Cal 32.
12:594th & 7 at own 32Bryan Anger punt for 44 yards, returned by Stafon Johnson for 10 yards to the USC 34.
USC Field goal, 8 plays
12:401st & 10 at own 34C.J. Gable rush for 8 yards to the USC 42.
12:332nd & 2 at own 42C.J. Gable rush for 4 yards to the USC 46 for a 1ST down.
12:081st & 10 at own 46Mark Sanchez pass complete to Rhett Ellison for 25 yards to the Cal 29 for a 1ST down.
11:411st & 10 at opp 29Mark Sanchez pass complete to Damian Williams for 14 yards to the Cal 15 for a 1ST down.
11:001st & 10 at opp 15Stafon Johnson rush for 3 yards to the Cal 12.
10:252nd & 7 at opp 12Stafon Johnson rush for 2 yards to the Cal 10.
10:083rd & 5 at opp 10Mark Sanchez pass incomplete.
10:044th & 5 at opp 10David Buehler 27 yard field goal GOOD.USC 3, California 0
10:04David Buehler kickoff for 70 yards for a touchback.
California Punt, 6 plays
9:401st & 10 at own 20Jahvid Best rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Cal 19.
8:502nd & 11 at own 19Nate Longshore pass complete to Verran Tucker for 1 yard to the Cal 20.
8:323rd & 10 at own 20Nate Longshore pass complete to Nyan Boateng for 12 yards to the Cal 32 for a 1ST down.
7:211st & 10 at own 32Nate Longshore rush for a loss of 5 yards to the Cal 27.
7:212nd & 15 at own 27Timeout CALIFORNIA, clock 07:21.
7:002nd & 15 at own 27Jahvid Best rush for 5 yards to the Cal 32.
6:333rd & 10 at own 32Nate Longshore pass incomplete.
6:224th & 10 at own 32Bryan Anger punt for 42 yards, returned by Stafon Johnson for 5 yards to the Cal 32, Usc penalty 10 yard holding accepted.
USC Punt, 7 plays
6:001st & 10 at own 21Mark Sanchez pass complete to Stanley Havili for 6 yards to the USC 27.
5:402nd & 4 at own 27Joe McKnight rush for 10 yards to the USC 37 for a 1ST down.
5:131st & 10 at own 37Joe McKnight rush for 4 yards to the USC 41.
5:132nd & 6 at own 41Usc penalty 10 yard holding accepted.
4:222nd & 16 at own 31C.J. Gable rush for 27 yards to the Cal 42 for a 1ST down.
4:221st & 10 at opp 42Usc penalty 5 yard false start accepted.
3:101st & 15 at opp 47Mark Sanchez pass complete to Anthony McCoy for 7 yards to the Cal 40.
2:302nd & 8 at opp 40Stafon Johnson rush for 5 yards to the Cal 35.
1:503rd & 3 at opp 35Mark Sanchez sacked for a loss of 3 yards to the Cal 38.
1:314th & 6 at opp 38Greg Woidneck punt for 19 yards, downed at the Cal 19.
California Field goal, 12 plays
1:001st & 10 at own 19Jahvid Best rush for 2 yards to the Cal 21.
0:422nd & 8 at own 21Nate Longshore pass incomplete.
0:343rd & 8 at own 21Nate Longshore pass complete to Jahvid Best for 11 yards to the Cal 32 for a 1ST down.
0:101st & 10 at own 32Nate Longshore pass complete to Cameron Morrah for 20 yards to the USC 48 for a 1ST down.
Q2 14:401st & 10 at opp 48Jahvid Best rush for 2 yards to the USC 46.
Q2 14:002nd & 8 at opp 46Nate Longshore pass complete to Nyan Boateng for 10 yards to the USC 36 for a 1ST down.
Q2 13:301st & 10 at opp 36Shane Vereen rush for 3 yards to the USC 33.
Q2 13:302nd & 7 at opp 33Usc penalty 15 yard roughing passer accepted.
Q2 12:591st & 10 at opp 18Timeout Usc, clock 12:59.
Q2 12:201st & 10 at opp 18Shane Vereen rush for a loss of 3 yards to the USC 21.
Q2 12:202nd & 13 at opp 21California penalty 5 yard false start accepted.
Q2 12:202nd & 18 at opp 26Usc penalty 15 yard pass interference accepted.
Q2 12:201st & 10 at opp 11California penalty 5 yard false start accepted.
Q2 12:201st & 15 at opp 16California penalty 10 yard holding accepted.
Q2 10:101st & 25 at opp 26Jahvid Best rush for 1 yard to the USC 25.
Q2 9:302nd & 24 at opp 25Nate Longshore pass complete to Jahvid Best for a loss of 2 yards to the USC 27.
Q2 9:113rd & 26 at opp 27Timeout CALIFORNIA, clock 09:11.
Q2 8:453rd & 26 at opp 27Jahvid Best rush for 9 yards to the USC 18.
Q2 8:214th & 17 at opp 18Giorgio Tavecchio 35 yard field goal GOOD.Tied at 3
Q2 8:02Giorgio Tavecchio kickoff for 60 yards returned by C.J. Gable for 20 yards to the USC 30.
2nd quarter3 drives, then USC 10, California 3
USC Touchdown pass, 6 plays
8:021st & 10 at own 30Mark Sanchez pass complete to Anthony McCoy for 20 yards to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down.
7:321st & 10 at the 50Mark Sanchez pass incomplete.
7:002nd & 10 at the 50Stafon Johnson rush for 4 yards to the Cal 46.
6:423rd & 6 at opp 46Mark Sanchez pass complete to Damian Williams for 30 yards to the Cal 16 for a 1ST down.
6:421st & 10 at opp 16Usc penalty 5 yard false start accepted.
5:251st & 15 at opp 21Mark Sanchez pass complete to Joe McKnight for 2 yards to the Cal 19.
5:012nd & 13 at opp 19Mark Sanchez pass complete to Patrick Turner for 19 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.USC 10, California 3
5:01David Buehler extra point GOOD.
4:49David Buehler kickoff for 65 yards returned by Jeremy Ross for 14 yards to the Cal 19.
California Punt, 9 plays
4:491st & 10 at own 19Nate Longshore pass incomplete.
4:202nd & 10 at own 19Nate Longshore pass complete to Nyan Boateng for 7 yards to the Cal 26.
3:583rd & 3 at own 26Nate Longshore pass complete to Jahvid Best for 6 yards to the Cal 32 for a 1ST down.
3:291st & 10 at own 32Timeout CALIFORNIA, clock 03:29.
3:101st & 10 at own 32Shane Vereen rush for 1 yard to the Cal 33.
2:102nd & 9 at own 33Nate Longshore pass complete to Will Ta’ufo’ou for 4 yards to the Cal 37.
1:533rd & 5 at own 37Nate Longshore pass complete to Verran Tucker for 8 yards to the Cal 45 for a 1ST down.
1:431st & 10 at own 45Timeout Usc, clock 01:43.
1:401st & 10 at own 45Nate Longshore pass incomplete.
1:102nd & 10 at own 45Nate Longshore pass complete to Jeremy Ross for 2 yards to the Cal 47.
0:573rd & 8 at own 47Nate Longshore sacked by Team for a loss of 13 yards to the Cal 34.
0:574th & 21 at own 34Timeout Usc, clock 00:57.
0:514th & 21 at own 34Bryan Anger punt for 41 yards, returned by Stafon Johnson for no gain, fumbled, recovered by USC Stafon Johnson at the USC 27.
USC End of half, 6 plays
0:351st & 10 at own 27Joe McKnight rush for 2 yards to the USC 29.
0:252nd & 8 at own 29Joe McKnight rush for 9 yards to the USC 38 for a 1ST down.
0:131st & 10 at own 38Mark Sanchez pass incomplete.
0:052nd & 10 at own 38Mark Sanchez pass complete to Joe McKnight for 16 yards to the Cal 46 for a 1ST down.
0:031st & 10 at opp 46Team pass incomplete.
0:012nd & 10 at opp 46Mark Sanchez sacked by Team for a loss of 3 yards to the Cal 49.
Q3 15:00Giorgio Tavecchio kickoff for 55 yards out-of-bounds.
3rd quarter7 drives, then USC 10, California 3
USC Punt, 5 plays
14:401st & 10 at own 40Stafon Johnson rush for 4 yards to the USC 44.
14:172nd & 6 at own 44Stafon Johnson rush for 13 yards to the Cal 43 for a 1ST down.
13:431st & 10 at opp 43Mark Sanchez pass incomplete.
13:412nd & 10 at opp 43Mark Sanchez pass incomplete.
13:153rd & 10 at opp 43Mark Sanchez rush for a loss of 5 yards, fumbled, recovered by USC Mark Sanchez at the Cal 48.
13:084th & 15 at opp 48Greg Woidneck punt for 27 yards out-of-bounds.
California Interception, 9 plays
13:001st & 10 at own 21Jahvid Best rush for no gain to the Cal 21.
12:352nd & 10 at own 21Kevin Riley pass complete to Nyan Boateng for 14 yards to the Cal 35 for a 1ST down.
12:251st & 10 at own 35Kevin Riley pass incomplete.
11:482nd & 10 at own 35Kevin Riley rush for 7 yards to the Cal 42.
11:223rd & 3 at own 42Timeout CALIFORNIA, clock 11:22.
11:103rd & 3 at own 42Kevin Riley pass complete to Verran Tucker for 31 yards to the USC 27 for a 1ST down.
11:101st & 10 at opp 27California penalty 5 yard ineligible downfield on pass accepted.
11:001st & 15 at opp 32Kevin Riley pass incomplete.
10:422nd & 15 at opp 32Kevin Riley pass complete to Shane Vereen for 2 yards to the USC 30.
10:423rd & 13 at opp 30Usc penalty 15 yard pass interference accepted.
9:451st & 10 at opp 15Jeremy Ross rush for 5 yards to the USC 10.
9:152nd & 5 at opp 10Kevin Riley pass intercepted by Josh Pinkard at the USC 0, returned for 3 yards to the USC 3.
USC Punt, 4 plays
9:051st & 10 at own 3C.J. Gable rush for 17 yards to the USC 20 for a 1ST down.
8:251st & 10 at own 20C.J. Gable rush for a loss of 2 yards to the USC 18.
7:302nd & 12 at own 18Stanley Havili rush for 4 yards to the USC 22.
7:213rd & 8 at own 22Mark Sanchez pass incomplete.
7:094th & 8 at own 22Greg Woidneck punt for 35 yards, returned by Syd’Quan Thompson for 21 yards to the USC 36.
California Punt, 3 plays
6:301st & 10 at opp 36Kevin Riley sacked by Team for a loss of 7 yards to the USC 43.
6:202nd & 17 at opp 43Kevin Riley pass incomplete.
6:203rd & 17 at opp 43Usc penalty 5 yard offside defense accepted.
6:153rd & 12 at opp 38Kevin Riley pass incomplete.
6:074th & 12 at opp 38Bryan Anger punt for 38 yards for a touchback.
USC Punt, 4 plays
5:581st & 10 at own 20Mark Sanchez pass complete to Stanley Havili for 12 yards to the USC 32 for a 1ST down.
5:201st & 10 at own 32Joe McKnight rush for 3 yards to the USC 35.
4:352nd & 7 at own 35Mark Sanchez sacked for a loss of 10 yards to the USC 25.
3:453rd & 17 at own 25Mark Sanchez pass complete to Damian Williams for 12 yards to the USC 37.
3:444th & 5 at own 37Greg Woidneck punt for 30 yards out-of-bounds.
California Punt, 5 plays
3:441st & 10 at own 33California penalty 10 yard holding accepted.
2:451st & 20 at own 23Usc penalty 15 yard roughing passer accepted.
2:451st & 10 at own 38Jahvid Best rush for 8 yards to the Cal 46.
2:252nd & 2 at own 46Will Ta’ufo’ou rush for 21 yards to the USC 33 for a 1ST down.
1:451st & 10 at opp 33Shane Vereen rush for 3 yards to the USC 30.
1:322nd & 7 at opp 30Shane Vereen rush for a loss of 1 yard to the USC 31.
1:323rd & 8 at opp 31California penalty 5 yard false start accepted.
0:233rd & 13 at opp 36Kevin Riley pass incomplete.
0:174th & 13 at opp 36Bryan Anger punt for 20 yards out-of-bounds.
USC Fumble, 6 plays
0:091st & 10 at own 16Stafon Johnson rush for 10 yards to the USC 26 for a 1ST down.
Q4 14:301st & 10 at own 26Mark Sanchez pass complete to Stanley Havili for 9 yards to the USC 35.
Q4 14:002nd & 1 at own 35Stafon Johnson rush for 4 yards to the USC 39 for a 1ST down.
Q4 13:301st & 10 at own 39Stafon Johnson rush for 5 yards to the USC 44.
Q4 13:112nd & 5 at own 44Mark Sanchez pass complete to Anthony McCoy for 7 yards to the Cal 49 for a 1ST down.
Q4 12:391st & 10 at opp 49Joe McKnight rush for 17 yards, fumbled, recovered by Cal at the Cal 33.
4th quarter7 drives, then USC 17, California 3
California Punt, 3 plays
12:391st & 10 at own 33California penalty 5 yard false start accepted.
12:301st & 15 at own 28Kevin Riley pass incomplete.
12:222nd & 15 at own 28Usc penalty 10 yard holding accepted.
11:301st & 10 at own 38Kevin Riley sacked by Team for a loss of 8 yards to the Cal 30.
11:222nd & 18 at own 30Kevin Riley pass incomplete.
8:203rd & 18 at own 30Bryan Anger punt for 38 yards, returned by Stafon Johnson for 6 yards, fumbled, recovered by USC at the USC 38.
USC Punt, 4 plays
10:501st & 10 at own 38Mark Sanchez pass complete to Anthony McCoy for 19 yards to the Cal 43 for a 1ST down.
10:211st & 10 at opp 43Mark Sanchez pass incomplete.
9:552nd & 10 at opp 43C.J. Gable rush for 3 yards to the Cal 40.
9:323rd & 7 at opp 40Timeout Usc, clock 09:32.
9:293rd & 7 at opp 40Mark Sanchez pass incomplete.
9:234th & 7 at opp 40Greg Woidneck punt for 27 yards, fair catch by Syd’Quan Thompson at the Cal 13.
California Punt, 3 plays
9:001st & 10 at own 13Jahvid Best rush for no gain to the Cal 13.
8:202nd & 10 at own 13Jahvid Best rush for 1 yard to the Cal 14.
8:003rd & 9 at own 14Kevin Riley pass incomplete.
7:484th & 9 at own 14Bryan Anger punt for 59 yards out-of-bounds.
USC Touchdown pass, 13 plays
7:441st & 10 at own 27Joe McKnight rush for 7 yards to the USC 34.
7:222nd & 3 at own 34Mark Sanchez pass incomplete.
7:163rd & 3 at own 34Mark Sanchez pass complete to Patrick Turner for 16 yards to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down.
6:491st & 10 at the 50Mark Sanchez pass incomplete.
6:202nd & 10 at the 50C.J. Gable rush for 9 yards to the Cal 41.
5:453rd & 1 at opp 41Stafon Johnson rush for 4 yards to the Cal 37 for a 1ST down.
5:101st & 10 at opp 37Stafon Johnson rush for 1 yard to the Cal 36.
4:502nd & 9 at opp 36Mark Sanchez pass complete to Damian Williams for 11 yards to the Cal 25 for a 1ST down.
4:351st & 10 at opp 25Mark Sanchez pass incomplete.
4:152nd & 10 at opp 25C.J. Gable rush for 11 yards to the Cal 14 for a 1ST down.
3:401st & 10 at opp 14C.J. Gable rush for 1 yard to the Cal 13.
3:132nd & 9 at opp 13Mark Sanchez pass complete to Joe McKnight for 7 yards to the Cal 6.
2:593rd & 2 at opp 6Mark Sanchez pass complete to Ronald Johnson for 6 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.USC 16, California 3
2:59David Buehler extra point GOOD.USC 17, California 3
2:59David Buehler kickoff for 70 yards for a touchback.
California Turnover on downs, 4 plays
2:591st & 10 at own 20California penalty 5 yard false start accepted.
2:351st & 15 at own 15Kevin Riley sacked for a loss of 6 yards to the Cal 9.
2:172nd & 21 at own 9Kevin Riley pass incomplete.
2:083rd & 21 at own 9Kevin Riley pass complete to Jeremy Ross for 12 yards to the Cal 21.
2:084th & 9 at own 21Timeout CALIFORNIA, clock 02:08.
2:004th & 9 at own 21Kevin Riley pass incomplete.
USC Turnover on downs, 4 plays
1:451st & 10 at opp 21C.J. Gable rush for 1 yard to the Cal 20.
1:452nd & 9 at opp 20Timeout CALIFORNIA, clock 01:45.
1:252nd & 9 at opp 20Stafon Johnson rush for 7 yards to the Cal 13.
0:353rd & 2 at opp 13Stafon Johnson rush for a loss of 2 yards to the Cal 15.
0:084th & 4 at opp 15Stafon Johnson rush for no gain to the Cal 15.
California Result not recorded, 1 play
0:011st & 10 at own 15Kevin Riley pass incomplete.

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every California–USC game

Officially, USC leads 72–⁠32–⁠6; as played, 72–⁠31–⁠5 in the 108 games on file; the official count covers all 112 meetings, counting the 14 since this game.

Recent meetings
2023USC 50, California 49
2022USC 41, California 35
2021California 24, USC 14
2019USC 41, California 17
2018California 15, USC 14
2017USC 30, California 20

Around this game

California

USC

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 11