Joe McKnight finally had his LenDale White moment.
In 2003, it was White who broke out as a freshman against Arizona State to lead the Trojans to a win after losing the previous week to unranked Cal.
White had just 17 carries for 70 yards entering the game but finished with 140 yards and two touchdowns. He then became a regular part of the Trojans offense and USC went on to win the national title.
Fast forward to Saturday.
This time it was McKnight who had his breakout game to lead the Trojans to a 20-13 win over Arizona after losing last week to unranked Stanford.
The freshman rushed for a career-high 75 yards on 13 carries after entering the game with just 16 carries for 79 yards.
Without McKnight's heroics
- a 45-yard punt return and a 59-yard run - the Trojans would've lost at home for the second week in a row.
Simply put, McKnight saved the Trojans' season to this point.
But are the Trojans destined for an unlikely championship run like they had in 2003?
It doesn't seem possible with the way the team is playing, but under coach Pete Carroll the Trojans have always been a second-half team, and McKnight could be the spark.
"If this can turn into a second-half surge with Joe contributing, then that will make a really big difference for us," Carroll said. "I think we take a big step in that regard. Now we can fit him in on a regular basis and do the things he's capable of doing."
McKnight proved he can be the home run threat the Trojans have been lacking since Reggie Bush left for the NFL after the 2005 season. He's got the speed, vision and burst to make big plays.
Carroll said McKnight has "magic in him" and called McKnight's 45-yard punt return "exhilarating."
The punt return couldn't have happened at a better time. The offense was in a slump and couldn't move the ball.
USC was destined for another upset, this time trailing the Wildcats 13-10 with 11 minutes to play.
Then, the Trojans finally called McKnight's number for a punt return, even though it was at the last minute.
Desmond Reed walked out at first, but was called back by the coaches who gave McKnight simple instructions and told him to field the punt.
"They just told me to go out there and catch the ball," McKnight said.
McKnight, however, did much more than just catch the ball. He saw a huge hole to his left and broke upfield, juking and breaking tackles in the process.
He was finally brought down 45 yards later, and the Trojans had the momentum they'd been seeking all game.
On the next play, quarterback Mark Sanchez floated a perfect pass to Fred Davis for a touchdown, giving the Trojans the lead. They never looked back.
But McKnight wasn't quite done yet.
After a ridiculous 83-yard punt by Arizona, the Trojans had the ball at their own 1-yard line. Stanley Havili willed his way to a first down and after a Chauncey Washington run, the Trojans were facing second-and-8 from the 18-yard line.
Enter McKnight and a play the Trojans rarely call. It was a quick-hitter play where the running back reads the defensive linemen, and if they overpursue, then there's a big cutback lane.
McKnight read his blocks, cut back, and just like that he was gone for a 59-yard run that essentially sealed the game.
It was the Joe McKnight we were all waiting for - the highly touted running back from Louisiana finally proved his worth.
"This is Joe. You saw him today," Carroll said. "You saw some of him. He's got a lot more in him. You saw that spark, that great burst and that elusiveness."
But McKnight can still improve.Aside from his 59-yard run, he only ran for 16 yards on 12 carries.
He also had 20 yards in losses, too, including a 10-yard loss when he dropped the ball on a toss play near the end zone at the end of the game.
"He's not totally over the hump yet," Carroll said. "He dropped the toss on the ground, and he would've walked into the end zone."
But all things considered,
McKnight still had his breakout game.
Now let's see if he can make it a breakthrough season for the Trojans.
- To comment on this story, visit www.dailytrojan.com or e-mail Rhett at rhettbollinger@gmail.com.
