With 30 minutes in the books, the WSU Cougars are tied with the USC Trojans, 7-7, at halftime from the L.A. Coliseum.
The Cougars looked as if they'd be heading into the locker room trailing, but Damante Horton picked off a horrendous pass by starting USC quarterback Cody Kessler and took it 70 yards to the house for the tying touchdown.
The game has been filled with mistakes by both teams. The Cougars have experienced more of the same issues against USC that ultimately kept them from beating Auburn last week: Untimely turnovers from quarterback Connor Halliday.
Like last week, Halliday has been alternately very good and very awful. At times, he has looked very efficient, but an untimely interception in the end zone thwarted the Cougs' first chance at a score, and a fumble while trying to avoid a sack led to USC taking the lead. He committed his third turnover near the end of the half with an interception on third and long, underthrowing a well-covered receiver.
His stat line: 14-of-23 for 121 yards, two interceptions, one fumble lost, zero touchdowns.
The defense, to its credit, has been solid. Some of that has surely been due to some conservative play calling by Lane Kiffin -- the Trojans have run the ball plenty (16 times vs. 13 passes) -- but the Cougs have been aggressive and physical, as they were last week. USC has gained just 59 yards -- total -- on 29 plays.
WSU has gained 126 yards on 35 plays.