USC played No. 4 Stanford even.
The Trojans forced the high-powered Cardinal into triple overtime and appeared on the verge of sending the game into a fourth extra period.
That’s when it all went bad for the Trojans.
Stanford linebacker A.J. Tarpley recovered a fumble by USC running back Curtis McNeal in the end zone, sending the No. 20 Trojans to a 56-48 defeat before a stunned crowd of 93,607 Saturday at the Coliseum.
Stanford stayed on track for a possible national title and improved to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in the Pacific 12 Conference.
USC fell to 6-2 and 3-2 in conference play.
Regulation ended with the score tied, 34-34, sending USC into its first overtime game since losing in triple overtime at California in 2003.
Stanford got for the ball first at the 25-yard line and used seven plays to take a 41-34 lead on Jeremy Stewart’s one-yard touchdown run.
The Trojans matched it with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Robert Woods.
Stanford then opted to defend at the start of the second overtime and USC converted with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Matt Barkley to tight end Randall Telfer for a 48-41 lead.
Luck tied the score with an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Levine Toilolo.
The Cardinal then went ahead on Stepfan Taylor’s five-yard touchdown run and Luck’s two-point conversion pass to tight end Coby Fleener.
Stanford extended its nation-best winning streak to 16 games.
--Gary Klein
RELATED:
Stanford 56, USC 48 (final)
It's finally over.
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