Oregon runs past USC, 48-28, to end Trojans’ four-game win streak

Two seasons have passed since USC last played Oregon, but the Trojans found out Saturday that these were the same fast Ducks in a 48-28 defeat at Autzen Stadium.

USC fell to 7-4 overall and 5-3 in the Pac-12 Conference, while Oregon improved to 8-3 and 6-2.

The Trojans kept pace with the Ducks and were tied, 14-14, until halfway through the second quarter when Oregon went on a 24-point run.

USC pulled within 10 points late in the third quarter when Adoree’ Jackson returned a punt 41 yards for a touchdown.

But Oregon converted an early fourth-quarter fumble by Cody Kessler into a touchdown, and a 45-28 lead, to put the game out of USC’s reach.

The Ducks posted 578 total yards of offense.

Vernon Adams completed 20 of 25 passes for 407 yards and six touchdowns, with one interception.

Kessler was 30 of 41 for 238 yards and two touchdowns and Justin Davis rushed for 141 yards in 16 carries.

USC can still make the Pac-12 title game by defeating UCLA next week.

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Royce Freeman rushed for nine yards and three yards in consecutive carries to reach an Oregon first down and the Ducks end the game in the victory formation.

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Cody Kessler was sacked on fourth down, which seemed a fitting way for a lackluster drive to end, with USC down 20 points late in the fourth quarter and appearing to lack a sense of urgency.

Oregon will take over on downs at its own 29-yard line.

If there’s been any bright spot for the Trojans in this game, it has been tailback Justin Davis.

Davis has rushed for 141 yards in 16 carries.

Oregon 48, USC 28 -- 6:56 left in the fourth quarter

Oregon kicked a 22-yard field goal after its drive stalled despite a first-and-goal situation.

On first and goal from USC’s three-yard line, linebacker Porter Gustin made a huge tackle for a 12-yard loss.

Vernon Adams Jr.’s second-down pass fell incomplete and his third-down pass was short of the goal line.

USC’s penalty problem has spiraled out of control. Anthony Sarao picked up a personal foul on the drive. The Trojans have 12 penalties for 124 yards, compared to Oregon’s four for 42 yards.

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USC’s drive stalled because of another costly penalty and Kris Albarado punted.

On third down, Justin Davis rushed for 16 yards but the play was called back because of holding penalty against JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Cody Kessler completed a four-yard pass to Steven Mitchell Jr. on the next play but Mitchell was pushed out of bounds short of a first down.

Albarado remained on the turf after he punted with an apparent injury.

Oregon 45, USC 28 -- 12:57 left in the fourth quarter

USC turned the ball over and it took one play for Oregon to capitalize on the mistake -- exactly what Clay Helton said the Trojans couldn’t allow against the Ducks.

Vernon Adams Jr. completed a 26-yard pass to Nelson Spruce for a touchdown after Aarion Springs sacked and forced Cody Kessler to fumble.

Kessler had to field a low snap from Khaliel Rodgers on the play and was quickly under pressure.

USC’s offensive line has struggled and not just becuase it is without starters Max Tuerk, Toa Lobendahn and Viane Talamaivao.

Chad Wheeler was flagged for his second penalty, a false start, on the first play of the drive and on the next play, Zach Banner picked up his second false start.

Those are critical mistakes by fourth-year juniors.

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USC’s defense made a stand for a second consecutive drive and forced Oregon to punt.

For once, Adoree’ Jackson fair-caught the kick.

USC continued to put pressure on Vernon Adams Jr., after failing to do so in the first half, and stopped the run.

Oregon 38, USC 28 -- 1:35 left in the third quarter

Adoree’ Jackson returned a punt 41 yards for a touchdown and USC has managed to climb back in the game against Oregon.

The defense was able to put pressure on Vernon Adams Jr. as Anthony Sarao and Olajuwon Tucker sacked him on back to back plays.

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Frustration has started to mount for USC and it boiled over when left tackle Chad Wheeler picked up a personal foul, which moved USC back 15 yards on what would have been a fourth-and-one situation. Kris Albarado punted.

Wheeler trotted off the field and Clay Helton’s lips were easy to read, “You just cost us big time,” he said.

JuJu Smith-Schuster has continued to play despite being hobbled by an apparent ankle injury suffered earlier in the game. He caught an eight-yard pass and a six-yard pass.

Justin Davis has rushed for 105 yards in 11 carries.

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USC linebackers finally made their way to Vernon Adams Jr. for their first sack of the game, forcing Oregon to punt.

Olajuwon Tucker and Porter Gustin were credited with the sack. Scott Felix also was in the pile.

Adams rushed for 11 yards and Royce Freeman rushed for two yards before the drive stalled.

Oregon 38, USC 21 -- 9:40 left in the third quarter

Ronald Jones II found an open path to the end zone and rushed for 12 yards and a much-needed USC touchdown. The drive went 75 yards in five plays and was the first time USC has scored since early in the second quarter.

JuJu Smith-Schuster walked off the field bent over, holding his surgically-repaired hand.

Justin Davis rushed for six yards and 38 yards in consecutive carries and Cody Kessler completed a 14-yard pass to De’Quan Hampton to setup the touchdown run.

Oregon 38, USC 14 -- 11:25 left in the third quarter

Dwayne Stanford made a 21-yard catch for another Oregon touchdown. Count that 24 unanswered points for the Ducks.

The drive covered 78 yards in nine plays.

Oregon has taken advantage of USC’s young inside linebackers and the defensive line’s inability to pressure quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.

Adams had all day to complete an 18-yard pass to Stanford earlier in the drive.

Royce Freeman rushed for 13 yards in four carries and Kani Benoit rushed for 16 yards in a carry.

Oregon 31, USC 14 -- Halftime

Oregon made a 37-yard field goal with four seconds remaining until halftime.

Royce Freeman rushed for 32 yards and Vernon Adams Jr. completed a 28-yard pass to set up the kick.

USC’s defense looks gassed and out of position. Second half adjustments will be crucial if the Trojans stand any chance to slow the Ducks.

Oregon 28, USC 14 -- 2:39 left in the second quarter

Another touchdown on a wide-open pass play for Oregon. Vernon Adams Jr. completed a 30-yard pass to Kani Benoit, who was alone near the end zone.

It was Oregon’s most deliberate scoring drive of the game -- six plays, 63 yards in two minutes and seven seconds.

Scott Felix and Olajuwon Tucker stopped Royce Freeman in consecutive carries before Adams took over.

Adams completed a six-yard pass to Dwayne Stanford for a first down before he completed a 36-yard pass to Freeman, who was mismatched against linebacker Osa Masina.

The touchdown pass was thrown over Olajuwon Tucker. USC certainly is feeling the absence of Cameron Smith.

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JuJu Smith-Schuster was back on the field for USC after suffering an apparent injury on the previous drive. However, he looks pretty hobbled.

The Trojans went three and out after Ronald Jones II rushed for four yards, Cody Kessler was sacked and his third-down pass to Smith-Schuster fell incomplete.

Oregon 21, USC 14 -- 6:35 left in the second quarter

Oregon is doing what Oregon does best: Scoring fast. Vernon Adams Jr. completed a 37-yard pass to Darren Carrington for a touchdown.

The drive covered 88 yards in five plays and looked almost pedestrian compared to previous scoring drives, taking an entire one minute and 40 seconds. (A previous “drive” took 24 seconds.)

Oregon appears to be targeting freshman Iman Marshall, who has allowed two touchdowns.

Dwayne Stanford caught a 12-yard pass and Royce Freeman rushed for 30 yards to setup the touchdown pass.

Trainers are re-taping JuJu Smith-Schuster’s ankles on the sideline.

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USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster suffered an apparent non-contact injury and was helped to the sideline. The training staff appears to be checking his leg.

USC punted after its drive stalled.

Cody Kessler started with a 16-yard completion to Smith-Schuster and Ronald Jones II rushed for five yards before USC attempted a flea-flicker that failed miserably.

Kessler handed off to Jones, who botched the pitch back to Kessler -- who then threw the ball out of bounds and was called for intentional grounding.

The officials explained that because there were two players involved in passing on the play, that it was indeed intentional grounding even though Kessler was outside the tackle box.

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Oregon punted and Adoree’ Jackson made a rare mistake on special teams and dropped the punt, but Iman Marshall was able to recover it.

The Ducks tried to get star running back Royce Freeman involved in the offense.

Freeman rushed for four yards before Vernon Adams Jr. completed a 14-yard pass to him.

Freeman then rushed for six yards in consecutive carries before Adams’ third-down pass to Darren Carrington fell incomplete.

USC 14, Oregon 14 -- 12:13 left in the second quarter

Not only was there a tight end sighting, but there was a tight end touchdown. Tyler Petite caught a 12-yard pass to tie the game, 14-14.

The drive went 75 yards in 10 plays.

Tailback Justin Davis did most of the legwork. He caught an 11-yard pass on the first play and later rushed for 25 yards -- carrying a pile of defenders with him for about 10 of those yards.

Cody Kessler also scrambled for 10 yards on a third down to keep the drive moving.

The time of possession has been an intersting stat to track.

USC -- 14:28

Oregon -- 3:19

Oregon 14, USC 7 -- 1:32 left in the first quarter

I couldn’t even finish writing about USC’s touchdown before Oregon completed one pass for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Talk about busted coverage for USC. There was no one within a mile of Evan Baylis, who trotted easily into the end zone.

USC’s secondary players -- John Plattenburg, Chris Hawkins and Adoree’ Jackson -- looked at each other confused after the play.

It appeared defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox and Plattenburg got on the phone together after the play.

Oregon 7, USC 7 -- 1:56 left in the first quarter

Darreus Rogers leapt above two Oregon defenders to make a 27-yard catch in the end zone for a USC touchdown.

The drive covered 75 yards in a 11 plays and took five minutes and 29 seconds off the clock.

Steven Mitchell Jr. caught two passes for a combined 11 yards.

Oregon has been able to stop USC’s run game. Justin Davis has rushed for four yards in three carries and Ronald Jones II has rushed for 12 yards in five carries.

Oregon 7, USC 0 -- 7:25 left in the first quarter

Vernon Adams Jr. completed a 48-yard pass to Bralon Addison for an Oregon touchdown.

It was a quick drive that covered 66 yards in three plays and took just one minute and two seconds off the clock.

Adams also completed a 17-yard pass to Darren Carrington.

Adams is five of seven for 97 yards.

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USC was unable to capitalize on an interception by Chris Hawkins and went three and out.

Justin Davis rushed for seven yards in consecutive carries.

Damien Mama was flagged for a false start on third and three and Cody Kessler’s third-down pass fell incomplete.

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Oregon was swiftly moving down the field until Vernon Adams Jr. threw a deep pass into the end zone and was intercepted by safety Chris Hawkins.

Hawkins has made two interceptions this season.

USC will start at its own 20-yard line.

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USC turned the ball over on downs after Coach Clay Helton elected to go for it on fourth and 10, instead of attempting a 49-yard field goal with backup kicker Matt Boermeester.

Starting kicker Alex Wood is sidelined because he did not pass concussion protocol.

Cody Kessler was three of seven for 27 yards, but threw three consecutive incompletions to end the drive.

USC’s game plan clearly is to throw the ball against a weak Oregon secondary.

Ronald Jones II rushed for two yards in two carries.

Oregon will start at its own 31-yard line.

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USC announced that redshirt freshman Chris Brown will start at right guard and sophomore Olajuwon Tucker will make his first start at inside linebacker.

Kicker Alex Wood will be sidelined because he did not pass concussion protocol, according to a USC spokesperson.

Wood is 10 of 14 this season.

Backup Matt Boermeester has not kicked in a game.

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In about 45 minutes, USC will try to rekindle some of the magic from its last trip to Autzen Stadium in 2011, when quarterback Matt Barkley led the Trojans to a thrilling 38-35 victory over Oregon.

A win today against the Ducks and a victory next week over UCLA would make USC the Pac-12 Conference South Division champion and it would bolster interim Coach Clay Helton’s chances to become the permanent coach.

It’s a chilly day in Eugene -- temperatures are hovering in the high 30’s.

USC and Oregon are each 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the Pac-12. Both teams are on four-game winning streaks.

The Trojans must play without leading tackler Cameron Smith, who has been sidelined for the season because of a knee injury.

Tailback Tre Madden and safety Leon McQuay III also are sidelined because of injuries and offensive lineman Viane Talamaivao will be a game-time decision.