USC’s defense has six interceptions in the first five quarters of 2022.

After four picks a week ago against Rice, USC intercepted Stanford’s Tanner McKee on the third play from scrimmage Saturday night. Quarterback Caleb Williams threw a touchdown four plays later.

Then Stanford drove all the way down to the goal line looking to tie the game on its second possession. Mekhi Blackmon was having none of it. Giving up three inches of height to Stanford wideout Elijah Higgins, Blackmon played the jump ball perfectly, breaking up a pass from McKee and then securing it himself off the tip for the second interception.

USC then drove 83 yards in eight plays to score again, a 22-yard completion from Williams to wideout Jordan Addison for the touchdown to go up 14-0.

The Trojan defense had 14 interceptions all of last season. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said all offseason he wanted the defense to attack the football with intensity, and it seems like that took.

No. 10 USC and Stanford are currently battling on ABC.