LOS ANGELES, Sporting Alert – Michael Pittman Jr. and Matt Fink were instrumental in helping Southern California (USC) upset No. 10 Utah 30-23 in college football action on Friday night.
The latest defeat means Utah remains without a win at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Michael Pittman Jr. Career Night
Pittman took 10 catches for a career-best 232 yards and a touchdown, while back-up quarterback Fink ended 21 of 30 on completed passed for 351 yards and three touchdowns with an interception for the Trojans (3-1, 2-0 Pac-12).
http://gty.im/1176064406Fink, a junior who finished third in the USC’s four-man quarterback fight during training camp, entered the game after freshman Kedon Slovis left with what looked like a concussion on the second play of the game.
The Trojans had already lost starter JT Daniels, who is done for the season with a knee injury he suffered in the opener.
“I don’t think this moment was too big for me,” said Fink, who almost transferred after failing to make an impact in two seasons. “I’ve been in the era of Sam Darnold, and I’ve seen things that are much crazier.
“Getting in today and showing what I can do is what I really wanted to do by staying here.”
“In a world where everybody goes different places, this one stayed for his family, waiting for his moment, waiting for his memory,” USC coach Clay Helton said about Fink’s stay.
“And what a memory it was tonight. When his number was called, he made the most of it tonight.”
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyler Vaughns each caught a pass for a touchdown for the Trojans, while Markese Stepp ran for a score.
Utah Didn’t Have Enough On The Night
Meanwhile, Tyler Huntley completed 22 of 30 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown and ran for 60 more for Utah.
Devonta’e Henry-Cole ran for a score, while Cole Fotheringham caught a pass for a touchdown for the Utes (3-1, 0-1), who played most of the game without star running back Zack Moss, who left in the first half with a shoulder injury.
“Mostly we had no answer for their receiving corps,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “Michael Pittman did a number on us.
“We just didn’t do a good enough job on him. We’ve got to rethink some things coaching wise.”
Utah returns to action a home against Washington State next Saturday, Sept. 28, while USC: travels to defending Pac-12 champion Washington on the same day.
