The Trojans (2-1) had scored 30 points in 10 consecutive games, but star quarterback Matt Barkley and the offense had a tough time moving the ball against the Cardinal. They managed just 276 total yards, went 0-for-12 on third-down conversions and committed three turnovers. Barkley led USC across midfield on its final possession before he was sacked twice and the Trojans turned it over on downs.

Taylor broke a 59-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to tie it at 7 and picked his way through traffic for a 23-yard score on a screen pass from Nunes to tie it at 14 with 10 seconds left in the third quarter. He also had a team-high four catches for 61 yards.

Nunes made big plays with his arm and his legs, including a 12-yard scramble on third-and-10 that set up his 37-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ertz to give the Cardinal a 21-14 lead with 10:20 left.

Penn State transfer Silas Redd scored both USC touchdowns on 1-yard runs, but the Trojans managed just 23 rushing yards on 27 attempts.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Stanford coach David Shaw joined Chuck Taylor (1951-52) as the only coaches in school history to start 3-0 in their first two seasons. … The Cardinal improved to 6-2 at home against ranked opponents since 2009, including a 2-2 mark against top-10 teams. … The Trojans allowed eight sacks all of last season but have given up eight through three games, including five Saturday.