LOS ANGELES >> Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott pretended Thursday night it was not unusual for California, coming off five days rest, to play USC, coming off a bye. Cal’s defense pretended it could stop the run.
Neither were successful as USC routed Cal.
It was another game that provided little insight into how USC will perform in its critical game next month at No. 4-ranked Washington. Actually, if USC’s defense plays as undisciplined in Seattle as it did through the first three quarters against the Bears, forget any hope of an upset at Husky Stadium.
But it gave the Trojans another confidence boost as tailbacks Ronald Jones and Aca’Cedric Ware racked up big numbers against the nation’s 126th-ranked run defense.