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Stanford vs USC: Highlights, score and recap

By Charles Rahrig V

Sep 17, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) carries the ball against the USC Trojans during a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) carries the ball against the USC Trojans during a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Stanford Cardinal took care of business at home against the USC Trojans.

Christian McCaffrey owns the USC Trojans. On Saturday night, the Stanford running back made big plays against the Trojans and made them pay for not giving him enough attention. The Trojans meanwhile couldn’t do much on either end of the field.

McCaffrey would get Stanford on the board early in style. After the Trojans decided that they weren’t going to guard him, he sprinted 56-yards untouched to the end zone. The best the Trojans could do was tack on a field goal early.

The Heisman hopeful might have made the Trojans pay through the air, but he was going to punish them on the ground. The story of the night was the way McCaffrey ran all over the Trojans’ defense. He would rush the ball a staggering 30 times on the night and he would reap the benefits with 165 yards.

His most impressive score when he leaped over the USC defense into the end zone. From there, the game was pretty much out of reach. USC could only get on the board via a Ronald Jones II rushing touchdown.

The icing on the cake would come courtesy of Michael Rector, who took the ball and ran it 56 yards for a touchdown. The Trojans’ miserable offense would tap out and it would be their second embarrassing loss on national television in three weeks.

Highlights

Three Stars

3. Michael Rector, WR, Stanford

Normally a wide receiver, Rector scored on a rushing touchdown. One 56-yard run really put this game out of reach.

2. Ronald Jones II, RB, USC

There weren’t many bright spots on the night for the Trojans, but Ronald Jones II was one of them. He had 63 yards rushing and a touchdown for USC.

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

McCaffrey was once again a machine for Stanford in their win. He ran for 165 yards on the ground and had a big receiving touchdown. The Trojans had no answer for him again and he made them pay.

Betting Odds

Stanford came into the game as 7.5-point favorites. With their comfortable win at home, the Cardinal had no issue covering the spread at all.

What’s Next?

Things do not get any easier for USC. They will hit the road and take on the Utah Utes on Friday night. The Cardinal will prepare for their first road game of the season, where they will take on the UCLA Bruins.

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