Sept. 13--USC 7, Idaho 0 (12:52 left in the first quarter)
Quick strike, thy name is Trojans.
USC didn't waste much time, needing a mere seven plays to cover 75 yards to score in a little more than two minutes. The Trojans used a combination of short passes and deft runs on the drive.
Justin Davis, who missed last week's opener because of injuries, scored on a two-yard run. The point-after by Alex Wood was good and the Trojans lead 7-0.
Call it the two-minute drill. In this case, 2:08.
Pregame
Sun Belt, 2.0?
Very soon, eighth-ranked USC will face yet another unimposing Sun Belt Conference team, Idaho, at the Coliseum. A week ago, the Trojans opened the season with a 49-point win over Arkansas State.
In recent days, USC has been favored anywhere from 43 to 45 points over the Vandals. Additionally, Idaho will be without one of its top offensive weapons, wide receiver Dezmon Epps.
Epps, who caught an impressive 15 passes for 160 yards in Idaho's 45-28 season-opening loss to Ohio, has been suspended for tonight's game because of his alleged involvement in a shoplifting incident at a campus bookstore in August, according to media reports.
USC cornerback Adoree' Jackson (abdominal strain) is expected to play, according to Times reporter Gary Klein. He had limited playing time in the opener but improved enough to take part in full drills later in the week.
And there will also be a subplot of family intrigue. Armond Hawkins Jr., a safety for Idaho, is the half brother of USC safety Chris Hawkins, a third-year sophomore.
Chris Hawkins described it as an "amazing feeling" that two had made it to Division I football programs in an interview with Times correspondent Lindsey Thiry, adding that he would treasure it "for the rest of my life."
For additional game coverage, follow Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) and columnist Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) on twitter.
