Stanford tops USC, 41-22, for Pac-12 title

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Stanford won its third Pac-12 championship in four years Saturday night with an impressive 41-22 victory over USC.

Whether Stanford advanced to the Rose Bowl or jumped into the College Football Playoff depended on the outcome of the ACC title game. A Clemson win would likely send the Cardinal to Pasadena. A Clemson loss would put Stanford in choice position for the playoff.

Tailback Christian McCaffrey was named the Pac-12 title game’s Most Valuable Player Award. He gained 461 all-purpose yards and broke the major college record set by Barry Sanders in 1988.

McCaffrey’s total included 207 yards rushing and 105 receiving. He also scored two touchdowns and threw for another.

Stanford controlled the game early but had only a 13-3 halftime lead to show for it because of misfires in the red zone.

On their heels throughout the first half, the Trojans snatched the momentum in the final minutes — first with a goal-line stand and then a field goal with 10 seconds remaining.

Their rally continued into the third quarter, as quarterback Cody Kessler directed a 65-yard touchdown drive that cut Stanford’s lead to 13-9. (USC missed the extra point.)

Stanford was forced to punt on the ensuing drive, and USC’s offense revved into high gear. Ronald Jones put the Trojans ahead with a 27-yard scamper.

The Cardinal answered with what was, to that point, the play of the game: On third down, quarterback Kevin Hogan hit McCaffrey down the middle for a 67-yard catch-and-run. On the next play, Hogan rumbled in from the 7-yard line for a touchdown that put Stanford back on top, 20-16.

The Cardinal defense produced a big play of its own three minutes later, as linebacker Blake Martinez hammered Kessler from behind and knocked the ball loose. Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas scooped it up and charged 34 yards for a touchdown.

Stanford led 27-16, but not for long: The Trojans answered with a quick touchdown to pull within five.

Back came Stanford, as Hogan found McCaffrey — wide open once again — for a 28-yard touchdown reception.

With six minutes remaining, Stanford had a 34-22 lead.

Stanford running back Remound Wright leaps over the pile as he tries to score but comes up short.