LOS ANGELES >> Chris Hawkins eyed Arizona State quarterback Manny Wilkins in the first quarter of USC’s victory last Saturday.
Hawkins was called to blitz. First, the junior safety waited.
Once a running back moved to pick up linebacker Cameron Smith, Hawkins burst through a gap that was created.
“It opened up like the Red Sea,” Hawkins said.
He brought down Wilkins for the first of USC’s three sacks against the Sun Devils and one of several plays where defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast sent as many as six pass rushers into the backfield.
“They were a very talented offensive unit that scored a lot of points and ran the ball very effectively,” Pendergast said.