USC vs. Stanford: live game report

The Cardinal, thanks mostly to quarterback Josh Nunes, has taken the lead over the Trojans.

Nunes had an 11-yard completion to Ty Montgomery for a first down early in their 10-play, 79-yard scoring drive and on a key third-down play near midfield scrambled for 13 yards, dodging two USC defenders that could have stopped him short of the mark, to get another first down.

Nunes then connected two plays later with Zach Ertz for a 37-yard scoring strike. Jordan Williamson's conversion kick gave Stanford a 21-14 lead.

Stanford 14, USC 14 (10 seconds left in third quarter)

Stepfan Taylor isn't always included in conversations about the best running backs in the Pac-12 Conference.

But he should always be included in conversations about backs that have given USC fits in recent seasons.

Taylor has had big games against USC before, and he's having another this evening. He just took a screen pass from quarterback Josh Nunes and turned it into a 23-yard touchdown, breaking four arm tackles along the way to tying the score.

Taylor has run for 112 yards and a touchdown in 18 carries and he has four receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Meantime, Stanford's defense is making it tough for USC and quarterback Matt Barkley.

The Cardinal has forced three turnovers, given up just 41 yards rushing and has sacked Barkley three times. USC is 1 for 11 in third-down conversions.

USC 14, Stanford 7 (6:50 left left in third quarter)

Alex Wood will have to wait for his first field-goal attempt for USC.

Coach Lane Kiffin sent out the freshman walk-on kicker for an apparent 30-yard field-goal try, but the Trojans shifted into a shotgun formation and holder/quarterback Matt Barkley threw a pass into the end zone instead.

The pass, intended for fullback Soma Vainuku, was stripped away at the last second by Stanford's Ronnie Harris.

USC, 14, Stanford 7 (10:51 left in third quarter)

This has been a tough game so far for Stanford kicker Jordan Williamson.

Williamson missed field-goal attempts from 47 and 23 yards in the first half, and he just had a 51-yard try blocked by USC's T.J. McDonald.