Lincoln Riley referred to as final yr’s crew the “least proficient” group that he’ll coach at USC. But this yr’s group has essentially the most losses for any Riley-coached crew.
USC’s 36-27 loss to No. 6 Oregon on Saturday in Autzen Stadium eradicated the Trojans from Pac-12 championship competition. Quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 291 yards and one landing on 19-of-34 passing, however Oregon’s Bo Nix stole the present with 412 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The Trojans (7-4, 5-3 Pac-12) have dropped 4 of their final 5 video games and have solely bragging rights to play for of their regular-season finale on the Coliseum subsequent Saturday in opposition to rival UCLA.
A rivalry sport with such low stakes felt like a nightmare state of affairs simply 5 weeks in the past. USC was 6-0 and nonetheless within the School Soccer Playoff dialog. However it was all a far-flung dream.
The back-loaded schedule uncovered USC’s defensive flaws to the purpose that Riley had no alternative however to fireside defensive coordinator Alex Grinch this week. Even after getting embarrassed by Washington, the Trojans nonetheless had a lot to play for, Riley emphasised.
But the dramatic midseason teaching change did little to vary the outcomes on the sphere. Nix threw 77- and 84-yard touchdowns on his first two passes. The Geese scored two touchdowns in 5 mixed performs. It felt like USC was destined for a blowout loss.
Williams wasn’t going to make it that straightforward.
Oregon vast receiver Tez Johnson, proper, avoids USC cornerback Domani Jackson after making a catch within the first half Saturday.
(Andy Nelson / Related Press)
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner willed the Trojans to an eight-point halftime deficit that felt like a minor victory in entrance of a packed Autzen Stadium and an Oregon crew that has emerged because the Pac-12’s strongest since shedding to rival Washington on Oct. 14. He slung a 10-yard cross to Austin Jones over his head like a hook shot. He scrambled for eight yards on a crucial third-and-five within the purple zone to arrange a five-yard, game-tying landing from MarShawn Lloyd within the first quarter. He stored the Trojans inside one possession with a two-yard landing run with 12 seconds remaining within the first half.
Oregon’s self-inflicted errors let USC keep shut. The Geese dedicated 13 penalties for 120 yards and missed a subject objective with 6:27 to go within the fourth. The Trojans responded with a 13-yard landing run by Jones with 3:44 remaining, however did not convert on a two-point attempt to pull inside one possession.
Oregon recovered USC’s onside kick and transformed a fourth right down to ice the sport as Nix discovered operating again Bucky Irving vast open within the flat for a nine-yard acquire.
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