Orgeron debut a success

LOS ANGELES – Nelson Agholor caught seven passes for 161 yards, Javorius Allen rushed for two touchdowns and Southern California got off to an impressive start under interim coach Ed Orgeron with a 38-31 victory over Arizona on Thursday night.

Cody Kessler passed for 297 yards and two TDs as the revitalized Trojans (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12) survived Arizona’s second-half rally to win for Orgeron, the longtime defensive line coach who replaced the fired Lane Kiffin on Sept. 29.

Agholor caught a 62-yard touchdown pass and Tre Madden had a 63-yard TD catch in the first quarter for the Trojans, who had the Coliseum rocking as they roared to a 25-point lead in the first half.

B.J. Denker passed for 363 yards and four touchdowns for the Wildcats (3-2, 0-2) in their second straight loss.

USC—Agholor 62 pass from Kessler (Heidari kick)

USC—Madden 63 pass from Kessler (Heidari kick)

Ari—FG J.Smith 27

USC—Davis 11 run (Heidari kick)

USC—Allen 1 run (Heidari kick)

Ari—Phillips 57 pass from Denker (J.Smith kick)

USC—FG Heidari 45

Ari—Wharton 45 pass from Denker (J.Smith kick)

USC—Allen 4 run (Heidari kick)

Ari—Richards 9 pass from Denker (J.Smith kick)

Ari—Wharton 28 pass from Denker (J.Smith kick)

A—64,215.

RUSHING—Arizona, Carey 21-138, Jenkins 1-11, Denker 11-(-4). Southern Cal, Redd 19-80, Davis 9-38, Allen 6-37, Isaac 3-36, Kessler 1-34, Madden 5-28, Team 2-(-4).

PASSING—Arizona, Denker 28-44-0-363. Southern Cal, Kessler 15-30-0-297.

RECEIVING—Arizona, T.Miller 6-76, Carey 6-36, Grant 6-33, J.Jackson 3-53, Richards 3-21, Wharton 2-73, Phillips 2-71. Southern Cal, Agholor 7-161, Telfer 2-40, Blackwell 2-23, Allen 2-6, Madden 1-63, Cope-Fitzpatrick 1-4.