November 19, 2022 9: 24 pm PT
Wow.
What a thrill ride that was. Unlike the Utah game on Oct. 15, USC came out on top and made the final big play against UCLA, getting the big defensive stop it lacked in Salt Lake City.
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In order for Korey Foreman to make a game-sealing play, of course, USC had to be in the lead first. If the Trojans did not score 40 or even 45 points, they’re not in position to win with one last takeaway, one last UCLA turnover.
Caleb Williams and the USC offense did leave points on the field. Yet, they still scored 48. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it wasn’t below-average performance, either.
It was annoying for USC fans at times — especially at the end when the Trojans’ offense couldn’t finish the game off — but it ended happily.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to this roller-coaster in the Rose Bowl:
INSTANT IMPACT OF THE INJURY
After being nearly flawless in third-and-1, fourth-and-1 situations with Travis Dye in the backfield, #USC fails to convert on its first try without Dye.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 20, 2022
WRONG READ
I don’t know what Caleb is doing there. If you’re going to keep, then you gotta bounce outside.
— Michael Castillo (@MichaelCastFS) November 20, 2022
RILEY OFF HIS GAME EARLY
Terrible third down play. #USC’s plays coming out of timeouts so far have been less than inspiring.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) November 20, 2022
LEAVING POINTS ON THE FIELD
USC is stopped dead once again in the red zone by UCLA’s defense, and then, Denis Lynch botches a 32-yard field goal.
If that wasn’t tipped in some way, I’m not sure why that ball came off of 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 gets to the red zone on its opening two drives and has no points to show for it.
— Annenberg Media Sports (@ANNMediaSports) November 20, 2022
WORST-CASE SCENARIO
Caleb Williams with a late throw over the middle and it’s picked off.
His 3rd pick of the year and 2nd in as many weeks.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) November 20, 2022
3RD AND 1 CONVERSION
Jones runs hard. Even when he doesn’t have a lot in front of him
— Reign of Troy (@ReignofTroy) November 20, 2022
IMPROVEMENT
Caleb’s decisions have been very good this drive, both in a clean and congested pocket. Keep it up
— Reign of Troy (@ReignofTroy) November 20, 2022
SECOND RECEIVER STEPS UP
Kyle Ford — best hands on the team. Been saying it for years. Huge 49-yard completion as the ball whistles past the defender’s hand and Ford maintained focus to haul it in. #USC
— Ryan Young (@RyanYoungRivals) November 20, 2022
TIMELY
Kyle Ford is starting to make a habit of getting big plays for USC when they really need them.
— RichSC (@OriginalRichSC) November 20, 2022
JONESING
61 H1 rushing yards on 11 carries for Austin Jones, btw.
2 catches for 20 yards too.
— R.J. Abeytia (@RJ_Abeytia) November 20, 2022
ANNOYING
A really bad time for the nightly Brenden Rice drop.
— Michael Castillo (@MichaelCastFS) November 20, 2022
INFURIATING
USC is checking all the boxes of how you average 8.5 yards per play in a half and score only 17 points.
Fourth and short stops.
Missed kicks.— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) November 20, 2022
3 GIFT POINTS
Thank you Chip.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) November 20, 2022
WASTEFUL
USC had 368 yards to UCLA’s 224 in that half. Yet the Bruins lead.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) November 20, 2022
TRUTH
Here’s what I’ll say: USC couldn’t have done m