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USC Football: Kedon Slovis has a sluggish day after great first start

By Ahmad Akkaoui

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 31: Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans reacts after his completion during the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 31, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 31: Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans reacts after his completion during the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 31, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The USC Football team fell in overtime to the BYU Cougars in Week 3 in large part due to a poor start from a freshman who shocked many in Week 2.

USC Football true freshman, quarterback Kedon Slovis, showed his true colors on Saturday against an elite BYU defense that picked him off thrice — including on the potential game-winning drive in overtime.

It’s probably not the best game to have in his second career start and coming off of a record-setting game last week against Stanford.

The BYU Cougars improved to 2-1 on the season after beating the Trojans 30-27, despite coming up short in their only drive of the overtime period that led to a 43-yard field goal.

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The game was a back and forth battle that ended the half tied at 17 apiece. Slovis finished the first half with 187 passing yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

On the other side, BYU sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson finished the first half with 111 passing yards and a touchdown. He’s coming off of an impressive double-overtime win against Tennessee.

The third quarter came and went. It was pretty boring with both sides coming up empty on their drives. BYU faced a wall and punted, fumbled, then turned it over on downs in the Trojans’ red zone. USC ran into a wall too and punted twice.

The fourth quarter was sparked by a Trojans’ stop in the red zone and saw Slovis take his team 92 yards for a touchdown to go up by 7.

BYU went down the other way shortly after but were limited to a field goal. They were determined and held it down — forcing the Trojans to punt it away. The Cougars then took it to the end zone in three plays and went up by 3 — completing a 10-0 run.

The USC football team had less than six minutes remaining and had to get at least in field goal range. After 11 plays that went 44 yards, the Trojans tied the game at 27 apiece with less than two minutes left in the game.

BYU had a chance to win it in regulation but ended up going three and out.

The Cougars went first in overtime but didn’t go far. A 43-yard field goal put them up but had to play lockdown defense and prevent the Trojans from going 25 yards to the end zone.

That, they did. On a 3rd and 6 at the BYU 21, Slovis threw a ball down the middle that was deflected and intercepted by defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku.

Ghanwoloku can be considered the player of the game playing both sides of the ball –- finishing the game with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to add to his stats.

Slovis finished the game with 281 yards on 34 attempts, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Both touchdowns from the QB went to wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to accompany his 95 receiving yards.

Wilson finished with 280 yards on 33 attempts and one touchdown.

USC is now 2-1 on the season and will face another tough opponent next week when they face No. 11 Utah on Friday night. It’s likely the Trojans will fall out of the AP Top 25 after the loss.

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BYU will continue their play against Pac-12 opponents and face No. 23 Washington next Saturday.

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