Southern Cal Trojans ©	Stanford Cardinal
Played September 25, 2004 at Stanford Stadium Stanford, California

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Southern Cal ©	9	48	10	3	.811	20	3	2	.840	21	6	1	.768	7	1	0	.875
Stanford	1	2	6	1	.278	1	3	0	.250	1	3	1	.300

 

 

The top-ranked, 3-0 Southern Cal Trojans of coach Pete Carroll met the 2-0 Stanford Cardinal of coach Buddy Teevens.  Stanford had held the Belt once, in 1982 when they defeated Ohio State, & their 2-6-1 record in Belt games includes a tie with Southern Cal in 1979 when the Trojans were in the midst of their 24-game Belt reign.  Stanford dominated the 1^st half before Southern Cal’s defense stiffened & the Trojans rallied for a 31-28 victory.  Things looked normal for the Trojans as they took their opening drive 69 yards in 11 plays for a 23-yard field goal from PK Ryan Killeen & a 3-0 lead.  Trojans’ CB Kevin Arbet intercepted a pass from Cardinal's QB Trent Edwards & returned it 66 yards to the Stanford 2-yard line.  Southern Cal's Heisman Trophy winning, All-American QB Matt Leinart hit WR Steve Smith on the next play for the touchdown & a 10-0 lead.  Stanford’s offense went to work on their next drive.  Edwards' 3-yard touchdown pass to WR Evan Moore capped an 11-play, 79-yard drive as Stanford closed to 10-7 at the end of the 1^st quarter.  The Cardinal’s next possession again saw a long drive, 76 yards in 15 plays, finished by a 2-yard touchdown pass from Edwards to TE Patrick Danahy giving Stanford a 14-10 edge.  On the next snap, Leinart connected with Smith for a 36-yard gain but Stanford's All-Pac 10 CB T.J. Rushing forced a fumble that was recovered by LB Mike Silva giving the Cardinal the ball at Southern Cal’s 33-yard line.  The Trojans’ defense stopped Stanford at the 11-yard line & they set-up for the 28-yard field goal.  Cardinal's WR Kyle Matter holding for the kick, instead picked up the ball & ran the final 11 yards for a 21-10 Cardinal lead with 3:00 left in the half.  Leinart went to work with the 2-minute offense & after 4 completions, 3 to Smith, All-Pac 10 RB Reggie Bush ran the final 17 yards for touchdown as the Trojans closed to 21-17 with just 0:52 left in the half.  Most expected Stanford to run out the clock, but instead RB J.R. Lemon broke loose on a run up the middle & scored with an 82-yard touchdown run as time expired.  Stanford had a 28-17 lead as the teams went to the locker rooms.  Southern Cal made several defensive adjustments at the half & held Stanford to 26 total yards in the 2^nd half.  The Trojan offense though continued its ball-control keeping the ball for 17:23 of the 2^nd half.  Leinart hit Smith for a 51-yard pass & then the quarterback finished the 4-play, 63-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to get the Trojans to within a 28-24 score with 3:06 left in the 3^rd quarter.  Bush’s 33-yard punt return to the Stanford 41-yard line started the 8-play go-ahead drive with RB LenDale White scoring from 2 yards as Southern Cal took a 31-28 lead with 6:15 to play in the game.  The Cardinal was again forced to punt & the Trojans ran out the final 3:30 with five runs by Bush.  Leinart finished with 308 yards passing with a touchdown & Smith added 153 yards on 8 catches to his score.  Edwards finished with 183 yards passing with 2 touchdowns & 1 interception but was sacked 3 times while All-Pac 10 TE Alex Smith was held to 5 catches for 45 yards for the Cardinal.  Southern Cal finished the season 11-0 which does not include 2 wins that were vacated by the NCAA as Bush was ruled ineligible for the final 2 games of the season; Pac 10 Champions & National Champions while the Cardinal finished 4-7 in Teevens final season.  Stanford would play for The Belt again in 2005.