Troy Williams leads No. 24 Utah to 31-27 rally over USC

SALT LAKE CITY – Troy Williams threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score in No. 24 Utah’s 31-27 comeback victory over Southern California on Friday night.

The Utes roared back in spectacular fashion with Tim Patrick catching an 18-yard touchdown pass at the pylon with 16 seconds remaining to cap a 15-play, 93-yard drive. Patrick had his third 100-yard receiving game of the season.

“USC, that’s my hometown,” said Williams, who is from Carson, California. “Growing up watching Reggie Bush, Carson Palmer and Mike Williams and all those dudes, just sitting at home watching on TV and imagining maybe one day I’ll play with them or against them. Today was that day.”

The Trojans controlled most of the game and had a 27-17 fourth-quarter lead, but Utah (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) scored 14 straight points. USC fell to 1-3 for the first time since 2001.

Utah attempted to control the game on the ground early against the No. 98 run defense in the country, but USC tightened up and forced the Utes to win through the air.

USC’s Sam Darnold threw for 253 yards and ran for a touchdown in his first career start after replacing Max Browne.

“Refused to quit, just kept fighting the entire 60 minutes,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “Made play after play after play at the end there when we had to make plays.

“Nobody panicked. Just kept doing our thing.”