USC running back Curtis McNeal fumbled in the third overtime Saturday to keep the Trojans from beating Stanford. USC played an excellent game and led for most of the fourth quarter before losing 56-48. It can be argued that they should have won in regulation.
After the teams traded touchdowns in the first two overtimes, USC needed a touchdown and two-point conversion to match Stanford. Junior Curtis McNeal, who ran for a career-high 146 yards and two touchdowns, lost a fumble to end the game. Here is a video of the heartbreaking play:
Thanks to the fumble recovery, Stanford’s 16-game winning streak continues. The Trojans had this one. They were up 20-10 in the third quarter and 34-27 after Nickell Robery’s interception returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Over the last two weeks, USC has proved they’re a much stronger team than what they showed at the beginning of the season.
In another significant turn, the fumble helped Stanford cover the spread in most places. The game opened with Stanford favored by by 8.5 points most sports books. After money came in on USC, the line closed with the Cardinal favored by 7.5 points. By recovering the fumble, not only did Stanford win, they helped most bettors cover the spread.
video via CJ Fogler
