The lowdown: Saturday night’s game started a bit differently for the Trojans. Captain Christian Rector won the toss for USC and promptly deferred to the second half for the first time all year. Minutes later, the senior defensive end was ejected from the game following a targeting call during the Golden Bears’ march to a game-opening touchdown.
But while Chase Garbers returned to action to lead Cal to a 7-0 start, the change in coin toss strategy paid off. The Trojans weathered the early setback to score 10-straight points on drives of 75 and 40 yards, before taking completely control around the half following another Garbers injury that brought on backup quarterback Devon Modster.