USC steamrolled by Utah in loss that could cost Trojans CFP berth

USC’s Higher education Soccer Playoff goals may well have absent up in flames on Friday evening in Las Vegas.

The fourth-ranked Trojans just about definitely would have locked up a location in the four-group playoff with a gain about No. 11 Utah in the Pac-12 title activity. But the Utes had other ideas.

Utah overcame an early 14-point deficit and stormed again to acquire 47-24 to capture its 2nd straight Pac-12 championship and clinch a location in the Rose Bowl.

A two-loss group has hardly ever designed the University Football Playoff, so the reduction by USC may possibly open up the door for No. 5 Ohio Point out to slide into the industry of four.

It was a amazing switch of activities right after a scintillating get started from Caleb Williams and the USC offense. Williams, the Heisman Trophy most loved, was on fireplace early prior to an early hamstring damage restricted his mobility. He added to his Heisman reel in the to start with quarter with a stunning on-the-move deep ball to Tahj Washington and a particular 59-lawn scramble.

Williams was in overall command, and USC appeared to be perfectly on its way to the two a meeting title and a shot at the national championship.

But Utah managed to face up to the USC barrage and get back into the match.

Utah scored two times in the final 4 minutes of the 2nd quarter, flipping what was a 17-3 USC edge into a tie ballgame at halftime.

All through a thrilling initially-quarter operate, Williams endured hamstring damage which remaining him at less than 50{18875d16fb0f706a77d6d07e16021550e0abfa6771e72d372d5d32476b7d07ec}, in accordance to USC mentor Lincoln Riley.

It went unnoticed on the broadcast, but Williams’ pocket mobility acquired additional and a lot more restricted as the 50 percent progressed. And when the second 50 percent acquired underway, Williams could barely transfer.

Devoid of any risk of applying his legs — possibly to scramble, increase plays or choose up important yardage by using made operates — Williams was a sitting duck. Utah’s defense teed off.

USC went a few-and-out on its first three 2nd half possessions and Utah took its first guide on a major gaffe from USC’s much-maligned protection.

On a 3rd-and-19 engage in, Cam Growing strike Cash Parks for a 57-yard touchdown on a engage in that featured various skipped tackles by the USC defense.

Story carries on

It wouldn’t be the only exhibit of lackluster tackling from USC.

Just after Utah extended its direct to 10 details, 27-17, on the initially perform of the fourth quarter, Williams led a gutsy 75-property touchdown generate to make Utah’s lead just 27-24 with 10:52 to enjoy.

Just when it seemed like the tide was turning back in USC’s favor, the protection could not even place up a semblance of resistance.

Only 44 seconds later on, Cam Increasing hit limited stop Thomas Yassmin on a engage in-action pass. The 251-pound Yassmin conveniently escaped just one arm deal with and then bullied his way as a result of Calen Bullock and into the close zone. That 60-lawn landing returned Utah’s guide to 10 factors, 34-24, with 10:08 to perform.

On the ensuing drive, Williams made a person far more incredible perform by scrambling and acquiring Jordan Addison deep on a fourth-down perform. But two plays afterwards, he built a vital error. Williams stared down a receiver and Utah’s R.J. Hubert examine it the whole way to haul in a back-breaking interception in the crimson zone.

A few performs right after the interception, Utah’s Ja’Quinden Jackson put the remaining nail in the coffin when he reeled off an electrical 53-garden landing run, extending Utah’s direct to 40-24 with 5:29 to engage in.

Williams and the USC offense picked up the slack for a porous protection all yr extended. And on this evening, the defense was fully unwell-equipped to return the favor.

By the time the dust settled, Utah experienced amassed 533 yards of offense, including 223 yards on the floor and a stellar 310-property, 3-landing effectiveness from quarterback Cam Rising.

Williams would end the night time with 363 yards and 3 touchdowns, and a whole lot of that output came on one leg. It was not a general performance that really should detract from his Heisman candidacy, but an person award will likely be the furthest point from Williams’ brain if the Trojans close up slipping outside the house the top rated 4 on Sunday.