Wow.
What a thrill that was. Unlike the Utah game on Oct. 15, USC prevailed and made the last big game against UCLA by getting the big defensive stop they lacked in Salt Lake City.
Of course, for Korey Foreman to make a game-winning game, USC had to take the lead first. If the Trojans haven’t scored 40 or even 45 points, they won’t be able to win one last snack, one last UCLA tournament.
Caleb Williams and the USC offense left points on the field. Nevertheless, they got 48 points. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it wasn’t a subpar performance either.
It was annoying at times for USC fans — especially at the end when the Trojans’ offense failed to finish the game — but it ended happily.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to this rollercoaster ride at the Rose Bowl:
IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF BREACH
After almost shooting clean in third-and-1, fourth-and-1 with Travis Dye in the backfield, #USC cannot be converted on the first try without dye.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 20, 2022
READ WRONG
I don’t know what Caleb is doing there. If you want to keep going, you have to jump outside.
— Michael Castillo (@MichaelCastFS) November 20, 2022
RILEY HEARS FROM HIS GAME EARLY
Terrible third down game. #USCThe plays that have come out of the timeouts so far have been anything but inspiring.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) November 20, 2022
LEAVE POINTS ON THE FIELD
USC is stopped again in the red zone by the UCLA defense and then Denis Lynch botches a 32-yard field goal.
If that wasn’t tipped somehow, I’m not sure why that ball came off Lynch’s foot the way it did.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) November 20, 2022
NOT EVEN 3 POINTS – NONE
Denis Lynch misses the field goal. USC hits the red zone on its first two rides and has no points to show for it.
– Annenberg Mediensport (@ANNMediaSports) November 20, 2022
WORST CASE SCENARIO
Caleb Williams with a late throw over the middle and it gets picked up.
His 3rd pick of the year and 2nd in as many weeks.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) November 20, 2022
3. AND 1 CONVERSION
Jones runs hard. Even if he doesn’t have much to do
— Reign of Troy (@ReignofTroy) November 20, 2022
IMPROVEMENT
Caleb’s decisions were very good on this ride, both in a clean and a crowded pocket. Keep it up
— Reign of Troy (@ReignofTroy) November 20, 2022
SECOND RECEIVER ASCENSES
Kyle Ford – the best hands on the team. Been saying it for years. Huge 49-yard shot as the ball whizzed past the defender’s hand and Ford focused on catching it. #USC
— Ryan Young (@RyanYoungRivals) November 20, 2022
IN TIME
Kyle Ford makes a habit of making big plays for USC when they really need it.
— RichSC (@OriginalRichSC) November 20, 2022
STRONG DEMAND
61 H1 rushing yards on 11 carries for Austin Jones, btw.
2 catches for 20 yards too.
— RJ Abeytia (@RJ_Abeytia) November 20, 2022
AGGRAVATING
A really bad time for the Brenden Rice Drop at night.
— Michael Castillo (@MichaelCastFS) November 20, 2022
AGGRAVATING
USC checks all the boxes as they average 8.5 yards per game in one half and score just 17 points.
Fourth and short stops.
Missed kicks.— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) November 20, 2022
3 GIFT POINTS
thanks Chip
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) November 20, 2022
WASTEFUL
USC had 368 yards to UCLA’s 224 yards in that half. But the Bruins lead.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) November 20, 2022
TRUTH
Here’s what I’ll say: USC couldn’t have done more things to hurt themselves that half, they were very sloppy and they lose 21-20. If you do your best in the 2nd half you will win this football game.
— RichSC (@OriginalRichSC) November 20, 2022
HARD REALITY
It’s up to Lincoln Riley to have Brenden Rice out there in big situations when other receivers were more reliable.
Denis Lynch also continues to leave points on the board.
Two misses under 35 yards? Ridiculous.
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) November 20, 2022
JORDAN RULES
There’s this man Jordan Addison. #USC front, 27-24.
Addison with seven receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown. Already his second most yards in a game this season. pic.twitter.com/U9ZD33YA8S
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) November 20, 2022
TALENTED TD
Landing Austin Jones. #USC to 34-24 with 6:36 left in the third quarter.
The Trojans edged the Bruins 34-10 with 1:47 left in the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/pn14rAdM8M
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) November 20, 2022
POINTS MUST MATCH YARDS
#USC with more than 500 yards through three quarters.
Trojans back in the red zone as they open the fourth quarter with a 34-31 lead.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 20, 2022
THIS IS NOT CLAY HELTON
USC in the 3rd quarter of this season: 126-54.
They’ve scored in every game except against Oregon State; surpassed by Arizona in the 3rd quarter.
— Ahmad Akkaoui (@AhmadMAkkaoui) November 20, 2022
NECESSARY
Austin Jones now has his first 100-yard game since the Fresno State game when he had 110 on 12 carries.
He has 104 yards on 18 carries so far and has time in the last quarter.
— Ahmad Akkaoui (@AhmadMAkkaoui) November 20, 2022
CRUCIAL MISTAKE
Bad decision there by Caleb Williams. Could have run and keep the clock ticking but incompletely throws it to Falo instead.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) November 20, 2022
WRONG MOVE
Right, Falo wouldn’t be getting any more yards and he probably would have gone wide to stop the clock. There was no universe where throwing was a better option. https://t.co/vvcOVb8Q7W
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) November 20, 2022
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Korey Foreman seals the game with an interception and saves USC. How’s that for a plot twist in Los Angeles?
