An offensive strategy from head coach Bill Walsh emphasizing passes to fullback J.J. Lasley kept USC's pass rush in check, and a stellar defensive performance featuring multiple crushing hits by safety John Lynch helped the 21st-ranked Stanford Cardinal upset the #11 Trojans 23-9 on November 7, 1992 at Stanford Stadium.
Stanford's only offensive touchdown of the game came in the first quarter when quarterback Steve Stenstrom faked a handoff to tailback Glyn Milburn, leaving Lasley open down the sideline. Lasley caught the ball at the USC 18 yard-line and evaded multiple would-be tacklers for the 38-yard score to put Stanford, who had scored a field goal on their only other drive, ahead 10-0.
One offensive touchdown would be sufficient for the Cardinal as their defense pressured quarterbacks Rob Johnson and Reggie Perry and stymied tailback Dwight McFadden. Johnson and Perry combined for 14 completions and 264 passing yards and four interceptions on 27 attempts, with McFadden limited to 30 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries.
Each starting member of the Stanford defensive backfield -- cornerbacks Darrien Gordon Vaughn Bryant and safeties Seyon Albert and Lynch -- intercepted a pass, but it was Lynch who shined the brightest.
With USC trailing 16-9 with less than a minute in the game with the ball at their own 15 yard-line, Johnson threw a desperation pass that was intercepted by Lynch and returned 37 yards for a touchdown that put Stanford safely ahead 23-9. It was the first touchdown at the college level for the senior Lynch, who was a backup quarterback his first two years at Stanford before he made the switch to defense his junior year.
It was fitting that Lynch put the game out of reach for USC. After Lynch was taunted by USC receiver Johnnie Morton in the first quarter, the Trojans learned that you should not tug on Superman's cape, spit in the wind, pull off the mask of the Lone Ranger, or mess around with Lynch, who punished McFadden for Morton's transgression with devastating tackles late in the second quarter and early in the third.
Stanford's victory over USC ended frustrating stretch of the season for the Cardinal, who had lost to Arizona 21-6, defeated Oregon State 27-21, and been humiliated by Washington 41-7 in their three previous games. The Cardinal proceeded to conclude the 1992 season with four straight wins, including a 24-3 victory over Penn State in the Blockbuster Bowl on New Year's Day. Stanford's final record was 10-3 (6-2), ranked #9 by the Associated Press.
After beating Arizona 14-7 the week after the Stanford game, USC concluded their season with three straight losses to finish 6-5-1 (5-3).
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