A five-yard touchdown reception by senior tight end Rhett Ellison from junior quarterback Matt Barkley has helped the University of Southern California finish the first quarter with a 7-3 lead over Syracuse University in a non-conference game at the L.A. Coliseum. Ellison's TD, his first of the season, capped a 12-play, 66-yard drive by USC (2-0).
The Orange (2-0) opened the game with a 12-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 23-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Ross Krautman. During the drive senior quarterback Ryan Nassib was a perfect 8-for-8 with 55-passing yards. Senior running back Antwon Bailey caught four of those passes for 34 yards, including a 20-yard catch and run that converted a 3-and-2 and got SU to USC's 28-yard line.
SB Nation New York is blogging live during Saturday afternoon's non-conference contest featuring Syracuse vs. USC. Check back to SBN NY for in-game updates, post-game reactions and the most up-to-date news on the Orange. Also, follow along on Twitter at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.