Tyler Vaughns, No. 29 USC, celebrates his two-point capture in the second half match at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Friday, September 21, 2018. The USC defeated Washington State 39-36. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Southern California receiver Tyler Vaughns, right, passes Washington State safety pass Skyler Thomas for a 2-point conversion in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles. USC won 39-36. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
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USC's Tyler Vaughns will play a two-point game in Washington in the second half at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Friday, September 21, 2018. The USC defeated Washington State 39 -36. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
USC's No. 29 Vavae Malepeai scores in the second half at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Friday, September 21, 2018. The USC defeated Washington State 39-36. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Washington State No. 2 Sean Harper Jr. broke a pass for USC No. 6 Isaac Taylor-Stuart in the second half match at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Friday, September 21, 2018 (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
USC's Tyler Vaughns makes a pass as North American forward Darrien Molton, No. 3, defends on the pitch during the second half match at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Friday, September 21, 2018 (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Easop Winston, No. 8 in Washington State, celebrates a TD against USC in the second half match at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Friday, September 21, 2018. USC defeated Washington State 39-36. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
USC No. 8 Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrates his touch with his teammates in the second half match at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Friday, September 21, 2018. USC defeated Washington State 39-36. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
USC # 8 Amon-Ra St. Brown makes a decisive pass as No. 4 Washington defends in second half match at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles Friday, September 21 2018. -36. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
USC # 51 Marlon Tuipulotu gets a piece of quarterback Gardner Minshew, No. 16 of Washington State, in the second half match at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Washington State's No. 12 Dezmon Patmon qualifies for a pass as Isaiah Langley, No. 24 USC, defends in the second round of the Los Angeles Coliseum on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
USC # 6 Michael Pittman Jr. scores TD in second half when No. 3 defenseman Darrien Molton of Washington State defends the game at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Friday, September 21 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Chief trainer Clay Helton celebrates a TD against the state of Washington on Friday, September 21, 2018. The USC defeated the 39-36 state of Washington. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
USC # 78 Jay Tufele blocks a Washington State goal attempt late in the fourth quarter to stop them from attacking the Trojans. USC defeated Washington State 39-36 at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Kyle Sweet, No. 17 in Washington State, and Isaac Franco, No. 59 USC, try their luck in the first round of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Skyler Thomas, No. 25, Washington, breaks a pass for Amon-Ra St. Brown, No. 8, in the first fight of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Jordan Austin, No. 56 USC, pursues a lost ball deflected by QB Gardner Minshew, No. 16 of Washington State, during the first half match at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Friday. September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
USC head coach Clay Helton challenges a call in the first half match at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
USC's Vavae Malepeai, No. 29, and Tyler Vaughns, No. 21, celebrate a first semester TD at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Tyler Vaughns, 21, of the USC, can keep the ball with the pressure of Marcus Strong, # 4 of Washington State, during the first fight of the Los Angeles Coliseum Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
JT Daniels, No. 18 USC, passes in the first half at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
USC's John Houston Jr. defeated Dezmon Patmon of Washington State in the first half of Friday's game at the Coliseum. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Washington's No. 16 Gardner Minshew is under pressure from USC's No. 89 Christian Rector in the first game of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Cameron Smith, No. 35, of the United States, places No. 16 Washington Gardner Minshew in the opening match of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Washington's No. 16 Gardner Minshew calls the game to lose to USC in the first half match at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Marvell Tell III, USC # 7, makes a long run against Washington State in the first half match at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
USC's No. 29 Vavae Malepeai frees herself for a win in the first half at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Sept. 21: USC Trojans head coach Clay Helton rises for the ball during warm-ups before the Washington State Cougars match at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Vavae Malepeai # 29 of the USC Trojans celebrates his run for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead over the Washington State Cougars in the first quarter at the Los Angeles Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 21: Velus Jones Jr. No. 1 Trojans of the USC makes a catch for a gain of 45 meters ahead of No. 2 Sean Harper Jr. of the Washington State Cougars in the second quarter at the Los Angeles Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Dezmon Patmon # 12 of the Washington State Cougars is hit by Isaiah Langley # 24 of the USC Trojans after taking him past Dezmon Patmon # 12 in the second quarter at the Los Angeles Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Talanoa Hufanga # 15 and John Houston Jr. # 10 Trojans from the USC are trying to bring down Dezmon's # 12 Patmon of the Washington State Cougars after his capture at the second quarter at the Los Angeles Coliseum in September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: James Williams No. 32 Washington State Cougars is looking for an opening for the second quarter against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21, 2018 at Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 21: US Trojans head coach Clay Helton watches the clock in the second quarter against the Washington State Cougars at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21, 2018 at Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: US Trojans head coach Clay Helton calls for a touchdown in a late second quarter video against the Washington Cougars at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles in California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Michael Pittman Jr. No. 6 Trojans of the USC is set to be offside during a take in the front zone ahead of Skyler Thomas No. 25 Cougars of Washington State at the end of the second quarter in Los Angeles Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: JT Daniels No. 18 Trojans USC spends the second quarter against the Washington State Cougars at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Dezmon Patmon # 12 of the Washington State Cougars drives Greg Johnson # 9 of the USC Trojans into the end zone to score a 24-14 lead in the second quarter at the Coliseum in Washington. Los Angeles. September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Dezmon Patmon # 12 of the Washington State Cougars is tackled by Greg Johnson # 9 of the USC Trojans after shooting in the second quarter at the Los Angeles Coliseum on September 21 2018 Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Easop Winston # 8 of the Washington State Cougars makes a first fall in front of Ajene Harris # 27 of the USC Trojans in the second quarter of the Los Angeles Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles , California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: John Houston Jr. # 10 and Cameron Smith, # 35 of the USC Trojans, hit James Williams, # 32, in the second quarter of the Los Angeles Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Skyler Thomas, # 25 of the Washington State Cougars, is scheduled to experience interference interference on Amon-Ra St. Brown # 8 of the USC Trojans in the second quarter of the Los Angeles Coliseum on June 21 September 2018 Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Sept. 21: Skyler Thomas # 25 and Armani Marsh # 35 of the Washington State Cougars break a pass to Tyler Vaughns # 21 of the USC Trojans in the second quarter at the Los Angeles Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles. Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Isaac Taylor-Stuart USC Trojans No.6 and Porter Gustin USC Trojans No.45 celebrate a stalled goal on the field to preserve a 39-36 lead over the Cougars of Washington Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Head Coach Mike Leach of the Washington State Cougars watches the USC Trojans 39-36 in the fourth quarter at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Tyler Vaughn # 21 of the USC Trojans makes a catch in the end zone for a two-point conversion in front of Skyler Thomas # 25 of the Washington State Cougars, to take a 39-36 lead in the fourth quarter at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 21: Vavae Malepeai # 29 of the USC Trojans celebrates its touchdown to take a 37-36 lead over the Washington State Cougars in the fourth quarter at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Sean Harper Jr., No. 2 of the Washington State Cougars, interferes with Michael Pittman Jr. # 6 of the USC Trojan during the fourth quarter at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21, 2018. Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
James Williams, center left of Washington State, charge the end zone to score a touchdown while defended by Southern California safety Marvell Tell III during the first part of a football match NCAA Friday, September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles. Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
James Williams, center of Washington State, celebrates his touchdown in the opening game of an NCAA college football game against Southern California on Friday, September 21, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
Southern center receiver Tyler Vaughns in center misses pass between Washington State safety Jalen Thompson, left, and safety Skyler Thomas in the opening game of an NCAA football game Friday, September 21 2018 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
Washington State receiver Kyle Sweet, right, recovers his own fumble alongside South American linebacker Isaac Franco in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
Vavae Malepeai of Southern California, right, celebrates landing with Chuma Edoga, left, and Toa Lobendahn in the opening game of an NCAA football game against Washington State, Friday, September 21, 2018. Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
South California running back Vavae Malepeai prepares for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Sept. 21, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
Southern California quarterback JT Daniels is looking for a receiver in the first half of the NCAA college football game against Washington State on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew is hoping to kick in the first leg of the NCAA college football game against South California on Friday, September 21, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
Southwest linebacker Cameron Smith, on the right, tries to intercept a pass as he is caught by Frederick Mauigoa in the first half of the NCAA football game on Friday, September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
Blake Mazza of Washington State is celebrating a field placement in the first half of an NCAA college football game against South California on Friday, September 21, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
Washington State receiver Easop Winston on the front runs to the end zone after southern cornerback Greg Johnson for a touchdown in the first leg of a football game of the NCAA Friday, September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
Washington State receiver, Easop Winston, right, passes alongside southern cornerback Greg Johnson in the opening game of an NCAA football game on Friday, September 21. 2018 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
James Williams (32), the Washington State running back, celebrates his landing with Dezmon Patmon in the opening game of an NCAA football game against Southern California on Friday, September 21, 2018. Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
Washington State defender Sean Harper Jr., left, breaks a pass for Southern California receiver Michael Pittman Jr. during the second leg of an NCAA football game on Friday, September 21, 2018. Los Angeles. USC won 39-36. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
Southern California receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, left, took a touchdown pass to Washington corner midfielder Marcus Strong in the second half of a football game United States on Friday, September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles. USC won 39-36. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
The southern quarterback of California, JT Daniels, reacts to a two-point conversion from receiver Tyler Vaughns in the second part of an NCAA football game against Washington State on Friday, September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles. USC won 39-36. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
South Carolina defensive lineman Jay Tufele (78) blocks a blow from Washington State cutter Blake Mazza (40) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles. USC won 39-36. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
South Australian defensive lineman Jay Tufele (78) and his teammates celebrate after Tufele blocked a Blake Mazza kick at the NCAA football game on Friday, September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: US Trojans head coach Clay Helton and Washington Cougars head coach Mike Leach shake hands at the end of the game after a 39-36 win at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
Head Coach Clay Helton and the USC Trojans enter the Los Angeles Memorial Memorial for their match against the state of Washington on Friday, September 21, 2018. The USC has defeated the 39, Washington State 39-36. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
LOS ANGELES – Before his 39-36 victory over Washington State takes place late Friday, the USC season has begun a calamity.
Within two minutes of the end, the Cougars had walked 55 yards at the end of the game, just before the red zone, where they were ready to attempt a 38-yard shot. If that is good, it would erase the second-half thrust of the Trojans that had erased a 13-point deficit.
But Blake Mazza's kick hit Jay Tufele's right hand. He was stuck. Tufele took advantage of Christian Haangana, Washington's left-wing goalkeeper who had leapt forward, creating a strip of space in the area between him and the left tackle. Tufele dipped through, then jumped with outstretched arms. Once in the air, he felt good.
"I was like a match over," Tufele said. "Checkmate."
The call to the piece was known as "D-move," according to Tufele. USC coach Clay Helton said he was installed during the week by team coach John Baxter and revisited at the team's last meeting before the kickoff.
"The kids knew exactly what to do," said Helton.
In the seconds leading up to the break, linebacker Cameron Smith did it. Smith was set up just meters from the line of scrimmage, where he launched the call. Smith noticed that Haangana had also tilted forward during a goal attempt on the previous pitch.
"I knew that if we did it right, it would work perfectly," said Smith. "It was one of those things we practice and plan and it worked in our own way.
"I just got around the guard," said Tufele. "When he leans forward, I just pass him."
After the block, the players celebrated, spilled on the ground. The attack then resumed possession, iced the match and won a win early in the season.
The heroics of the last match allowed the Trojans to avoid a 1-3 start and gave the young team a moral boost in front of their home crowd after consecutive double digit defeats on Stanford and Texas. The win brought their home winning streak to 18 games under Helton, the second-longest winning streak of the country behind Alabama, ahead of 52,421 at the Coliseum.
"It was critical for our confidence and our psyche," Helton said.
The double digit consecutive losses have been a first for the program since 2000 and have developed a variety of difficulties. Against Stanford, the Trojans failed to score a touchdown. Against Texas, they ran for -5 yards, the lowest since 1999.
"After two losses, you have to win," said receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. "It was a game to be won absolutely for us."
The Trojans, who rank 2-2 overall and 1-1 at the Pac-12 conference, held up better this time when they were forced to overcome a double-digit deficit.
The players thought they were tougher, citing more intense practices and a team meeting earlier in the week to justify their ability to recover.
"Sometimes we look frowned upon, as if we were waiting for someone to play the big game," receiver Michael Pittman added from outside the locker room after the win. "Today, we have won a team."
"We came last week with the right head," said St. Brown. "We practiced harder than ever, we knew what was at stake."
The losses stung.
"This has sparked more energy in our team," said St. Brown.
Rookie quarterback JT Daniels played an important role in the second half, scoring 241 yards and three touchdowns. It was the first multi-touchdown match of Daniels' college career. He completed 17 of 26 passes at a 65% clip.
"He continues to improve every game," said Helton.
In the first minute of the fourth quarter, Daniels launched a 30-yard touchdown pass to St. Brown – his former teammate of Mater Dei High, who made a superb pass to the shoulder – to give the Trojans a lead from a trailing point 30-17 in the third quarter. He also pitched touchdowns to Michael Pittman and Tyler Vaughns earlier in the game, establishing a better connection.
Trooper defense struggled to end the Washington air offensive for most of the night, while the Cougars (3-1, 0-1) were led by quarterback Gardner Minshew .
Washington State took the lead at 36-31 when Minshew threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Easop Winston with 10:15 in the fourth quarter. The Cougars had previously converted a fourth critic in the red zone on the disc.
"I thought (Washington State) had done a great job in third and fourth places tonight," said Helton.
The Cougars finished three for three in fourth place and the Trojans failed to stop them.
Like Daniels, Minshew made three assists in what turned into an offensive shootout, completing 37 of 52 attempts for 344 yards.
The Trojans struggled to put pressure on Minshew, firing him once when he was shot by linebacker Porter Gustin late in the game.
"This offensive line really works very well together," Gustin said. "They separate more than most teams. The quarterback is rid of the ball very quickly. And he had not fallen so far. So, a combination of talented offensive line players, broad divisions, it's hard to get a peak of speed. "
Gustin had to be away for the first half due to a targeting penalty resulting from the loss to Texas, but his presence clearly helped pass after halftime.
At one point, Washington State scored a touchdown or goal on the field in five consecutive races, en route to building its 30-17 lead. The Cougars led 24-17 at half-time and opened the second half with a 75-yard run from Max Borghi's 13-yard touchdown run.
After the Minshew touchdown in the fourth quarter, Washington State regained the upper hand, the Trojans bounced back thanks to a 2-yard attack by Vavae Malepeai and Daniels' 2-point conversion pass against a Vaughns leaping into the game. at the back of the end zone to take the lead.
The Trojans were more effective on the field after their difficulties, finishing with 113 yards on the ground. They were more eager to run it too, with 31 games running at 26 passing games.
"Balance helps us," said Helton, "that's who we are."