Washington Huskies Defeat USC Trojans in High-Scoring Thriller
LOS ANGELES — Dillon Johnson had an outstanding performance on Saturday night, leading the Washington Huskies to a 52-42 victory over the USC Trojans. Johnson rushed for an impressive 256 yards and four touchdowns, marking his first game with over 100 rushing yards in his college football career.
The fifth-ranked Huskies remained unbeaten with the win, improving their record to 9-0 for the season. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. also had a solid game, passing for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Devin Culp and Ja’Lynn Polk caught touchdown passes from Penix, while he also added a rushing touchdown.
Both teams showcased their powerful offenses throughout the game, with Washington’s offensive machine proving to be too much for the Trojans to handle. Caleb Williams had a strong performance for USC, passing for 312 yards and three touchdowns.
Despite USC’s efforts, they were unable to keep up with Washington’s explosive plays and struggled defensively. The Huskies’ offense compiled a total of 572 yards, making nine pass plays of at least 15 yards and nine runs of at least 10 yards.
Johnson’s remarkable performance on the ground was the highlight of the game, as he became the first Washington player since 2017 to rush for over 200 yards and score four touchdowns in a single game.
Washington has faced challenges in their past few games but has managed to secure victories each time. Their win over USC marks their third consecutive win since their impressive triumph over Oregon last month.
USC, on the other hand, has now suffered three defeats in their last four games, diminishing their prospects of a championship run.
Despite the high-scoring affair, Washington’s defense managed to shut out USC in the fourth quarter, contributing to their victory. The game featured a combined total of 1,087 yards gained by both offenses.
With the win, Washington remains in contention for the College Football Playoff but needs to continue to perform at a high level against stronger defenses in their upcoming games.
USC’s disappointing season has put pressure on defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, with fans questioning his future with the team.
Looking ahead, Washington will face Utah on November 11, while USC will take on Oregon on the same day.
-AP college football