httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcCgwGsSgLw
STANFORD – The powerful combination of Christian McCaffrey’s usual offensive magic and a stout defense propelled seventh-ranked Stanford to a 27-10 victory over USC in the schools’ Pac-12 Conference opener Saturday night at Stanford Stadium.
McCaffrey racked up 260 all-purpose yards – 165 rushing on 30 carries, 73 receiving on four catches, and 22 on a kick return.
The Heisman Trophy candidate also scored two touchdowns, the biggest of which was a 1-yard plunge on fourth-and-goal in the second quarter.
“Being a complete running back, t’s a lot to it – making guys miss and getting as many yards as possible.”Stanford has now defeated USC in seven of the schools’ past nine meetings and three times in the span of a year, dating back to Sept. 19, 2015.
“USC has a proud tradition, and they’re a good football team – they’re a better team than the one everyone saw against Alabama. But we play well, and we expect to win.”McCaffrey became the sixth Stanford player to surpass 5,000 all-purpose yards for his career in the second quarter.
“Christian’s a heck of a player,” Stanford quarterback Ryan Burns said.
“His play speaks for itself.”Having set the Cardinal’s single-season record for all-purpose yards last season, McCaffrey still needs approximately 2,000 to eclipse the career mark of 7,120, established by Darrin Nelson in 1977-78 and 1980-81.Facing USC seems to bring out the best in McCaffrey.
He racked up a school-record 461 all-purpose yards for Stanford in last season’s Pac-12 Championship Game.Still, Shaw said, “I think the game brings out the best in Christian McCaffrey. I wouldn’t give any team that much credit. He’s got such an internal drive, I know he’s going to get it done on game day.”McCaffrey had 173 all-purpose yards before halftime, 101 of them on the ground.
After hauling in a 56-yard TD pass from Burns in the first quarter to help stake Stanford to a 7-0 lead, McCaffrey added another on fourth-and-goal from USC’s 1-yard line late in the second.