USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) has plenty of protection to make a pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the Stanford Cardinal, on September 9, 2017, played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, September 9, 2017

No. 6-ranked Southern California extended its winning streak to 11 games Saturday, routing No. 14 Stanford 42-24 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, in the Pac-12 football opener for both schools.

Southern California also snapped a three-game losing streak against the Cardinal (1-1, 0-1) in the Golden State’s private university rivalry. It was also USC’s 11th consecutive win at the Coliseum.

Coming into the game, Stanford had won eight of its last 11 games against the Trojans.

Deonlay Burnett and Steven Mitchell each hauled in a pair of touchdown passes for the Trojans (2-0 overall, 1-0 Pac-12). USC quarterback Sam Darrold completed 21 of 26 passes for 316 yards, and the Trojans finished with 623 total yards.

Ronald Jones II scored a touchdown in his ninth straight game while rushing for 116 yards. Freshman Stephen Carr added 119 rushing yards. The Trojans amassed 307 rushing yards.

The Cardinal, who haven’t played since their game in Australia against Rice, were led offensively by quarterback Keller Chryst an running back Bryce Love. Chryst threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns, while Love ran for 160 yards, including a 75-yard TD run.

USC pulled away when an 11-yard touchdown pass from Darrold to Mitchell capped a 90-yard drive with 9:42 to play in the third period. Three minutes later, J.J. Arcaga-Whiteside’s touchdown reception kept Stanford close, but the Trojans answered with Jones’ second TD run.

Next week, Stanford wraps up its three-game season-opening road swing with a trip to San Diego State.