Wolf: USC won Crosstown Rivalry but few celebrated
Perhaps even the Trojans’ fans are tired of winning games and losing eye tests. USC defeated UCLA, 28-23, for its third straight victory over the Bruins but not many cheered a victory over a 16-point underdog.
That is unheard of in a USC-UCLA rivalry, where a mere victory is enough in this normally bitter encounter.
But it was virtually like every other USC victory this season. The Trojans did just enough to win but not enough to make anyone think they would defeat a top 10 team.
That will not matter to Clay Helton but it matters to the Trojans’ fan base and to Athletic Director Lynn Swann.
They will want to know how USC rushed for 153 yards against the nation’s worst run defense, which surrendered 302.3 yards rushing before the game. That was 9 yards less than Memphis gained against UCLA, the Bruins’ best effort of the season.
They will also want to know how USC’s secondary allowed 421 yards passing and wide receiver Jordan Lasley to catch three touchdown passes. This is normal for a garden-variety Pac-12 defense but USC is supposed to be an elite team.
Lasley’s caught five touchdowns in two years against the Trojans, so apparently defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast is still searching for answers.
If anyone wanted the College Football Playoff committee to show more respect to USC, they better hope none of the members watched the game, as the Trojans committed 11 penalties for 115 yards.
USC wide receiver Michael Pittman provided the highlight of the game with a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown but the Trojans committed at least four penalties on special teams.
UCLA finished with 501 yards in offense.
“Their offensive skill was phenomenal,” Helton said. “We went into the game saying we would have to play our best to win.”
That did not happen. Not even close. But USC played just well enough to win. As usual.
“Any time you get into a rivalry game . . . it was really a hard-fought game, to come out on top was very rewarding for us,” Helton said.
Thank God the game was a showcase for Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen because it badly needed some energy. The contest illustrated their strengths and weaknesses.
Rosen was accurate but did not show much mobility when USC blitzed. Darnold was mobile and throwing on the run but missed on an open deep ball to tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe. For the 20 NFL scouts in attendance, it depended on what they wanted in a quarterback.
Helton had no such dilemma choosing because Darnold’s bailed him out all season, including Saturday. In fact, Darnold should be mad at Helton because the Trojans did not have any timeouts left at the end of the first half, when the star quarterback got tackled as he ran at the UCLA 5-yard line and the clock ran out.
Just another missed opportunity for USC (10-2). The first half played out like so many other games. The Trojans appeared to be in control but never led by more than a touchdown.
In the second half, Pendergast went into his Cover 0 defense after the Trojans opened up a 21-7 lead. UCLA needed only two minutes, 35 seconds to answer with another touchdown.
Although USC cornerback Jack Jones has been the poster boy for losing composure in recent games, offensive tackle Chuma Edoga grabbed the crown Saturday night. He committed a personal foul, then argued with the officials and threw his helmet as he came off the field.
Edoga also had a false start and two penalties the previous week against Colorado. One reason he has not played at times this season is because of losing his temper with the coaches during games.
It’s all just another sign of the lack of discipline within the program. At least Jones did not commit any unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for the first time in three games but he gave up a touchdown and 41-yard completion to Lasley.
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