USC’s Lee makes instant impact

LOS ANGELES » USC’s Marqise Lee needed only 14 seconds to make a significant impact Saturday.

Lee began the 49-10 rout of Hawaii by catching a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play. As the game wore on, however, Lee’s influence would become historic. The sophomore not only finished with a career-best 10 catches for 197 yards, but also added a 100-yard scoring kickoff return, thus becoming only the second Trojan to take a kickoff 100 yards into the opposite end zone.

The other? Anthony Davis, who accomplished it twice in 1974. Davis’ second such return, at the start of the second half against Notre Dame, ignited a recovery that transformed USC’s 24-6 halftime deficit into a 55-24 win.

"Today showed what I really thought was going to happen with him, watching him from Year One to Year Two," USC coach Lane Kiffin said. "He’s so much bigger and stronger now. He’s more physical. The first guy rarely ever tackles him."

That strength complements Lee’s speed. Lee finished his freshman year running sprints for USC’s track team. As a high school senior in 2011, Lee recorded the third-longest distance nationally in the long jump: 24 feet, 8 inches. Lee combined speed and power on his scoring reception. After catching Matt Barkley’s short pass, Lee pivoted before moving to his right to elude cornerback Tony Grimes.

"It was a play we expected just to get a couple of yards to get the ball rolling," Barkley said. "But he made his man miss."

Lee attributed the play’s success to Barkley, receivers coach Tee Martin and tight end Randall Telfer.

"Matt gave me a perfect ball," Lee said. "Our coach always emphasizes to make one move and get upfield, not try to do too much."

Telfer blocked safety Bubba Poueu-Luna to free Lee along the left sideline.

"I wouldn’t have scored without (him)," Lee said.

That play did more than put the Trojans ahead.

"It gets us going," USC fullback Soma Vainuku said. "It gives us a good vibe and gets us pumped up. I don’t know how to explain it."

Then in the third quarter, Lee applied the coup de grace.

Hawaii began the second half with a 12-play, 69-yard drive that consumed 4:44 and narrowed the deficit to 35-7. But Lee took the ensuing kickoff 3 yards deep in his own end zone, cut to his right and returned the ball undisturbed to the other end of the field.

"That’s about as fast as a guy can look," Kiffin said.

"All the blockers made perfect blocks, perfect," Lee said. "The hole was big. Nelson (Agholor) led me through and I just followed his butt all the way."

For Kiffin, Lee’s commanding performance taps just the surface of an immense reservoir of talent.

"Obviously, he made spectacular plays," Kiffin said. "But he knows our expectations are higher. I think he’ll be the best one ever, when it’s all said and done. I’ve been saying that for a year, now."