A pair of receiving touchdowns have helped the No. 2-ranked USC Trojans earn a 14-3 halftime lead over the Syracuse Orange in a non-conference contest at MetLife Stadium. Sophomore wide receiver Marqise Lee and junior wide receiver Robert Woods both caught second-quarter TD catches from senior quarterback Matt Barkley, who tossed his last TD with 1 minutes, 15 seconds to go in the first half.
In the final minute of the second quarter, the Orange (0-1) were able to put together a 8-play, 55-yard drive that was capped by 37-yard field goal from junior Ross Krautman.
Overall, the Trojans (1-0) have out gained the Orange 230-129 in total yards. Barkley s 13-for-17 for 112 passing yards and two TDs, while senior running back Curtis McNeal has a game-high 58 rushing yards. USC has ran for a total of 108 yards on the ground.
As for Syracuse, they have marched inside Trojan territory on three drives but was only in position to collect points on one of them -- the last one.
A week after setting program records in passing yards, SU's senior quarterback Ryan Nassib is just 9-for-17 for 83 passing yards and one interception. Sophomore Jerome Smith leads the Orange in rushing with 28 yards, while receivers Alec Lemon, Marcus Sales and Beckett Wales all have two receptions.
For complete coverage of New York's College Classic featuring Syracuse vs. USC, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For in-depth coverage of the Orange visit Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician, while Conquest Chronicles is all about the Trojans.