Utah repeats as Pac-12 champs, knocks USC out of playoff

LAS VEGAS, NV — The one blemish in USC’s 11-win common season had been a one-point loss to Utah in October. Due to the Pac-12’s determination to show its championship sport right into a matchup between its two finest groups as an alternative of division winners, the Trojans had a possibility to make that loss moot and make their first-ever Faculty Soccer Playoff look in Lincoln Riley’s first season as head coach.

However one blemish changed into two on Friday night time in Vegas, as No. 11 Utah performed spoiler and proved it has USC’s quantity this season.

The Utes scored 24 unanswered factors and went on to beat No. 4 USC 47-24 to win their second-straight Pac-12 title and certain maintain the Trojans out of the fourth playoff spot.

In what felt like a near-repeat of the matchup between the 2 groups earlier this season, the Utes’ gradual begin didn’t maintain them again. USC dominated the primary quarter and raced to a 17-3 lead early thanks to a couple extra Heisman-worthy performs by Caleb Williams, who completed the sport with 296 passing yards, 65 speeding yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

But it surely all unraveled in a rush for USC. After pulling off a miraculous 59-yard run that had him gasping for air and strolling gingerly, Williams by no means fairly regarded the identical.

Afterward, Trojans coach Lincoln Riley mentioned that Williams “popped” his hamstring on that lengthy first quarter run.

“I requested him at one level, I used to be like, are you 50 p.c?” Riley mentioned. “And I imply, he was not even near 50 p.c. I undoubtedly considered taking him out … he would not have let me. He would not even let me take him out on the finish.”

Riley referred to as the efficiency one of many gutsiest he is witnessed. Williams, in the meantime, described the sensation of his harm as that of an previous rubber band.

“The remainder of the sport I felt it,” Williams mentioned. “However an individual that I like is Kobe and he all the time mentioned the sport is larger than what you are feeling.”

Utah, in the meantime, settled in throughout the second quarter and quarterback Cam Rising put collectively two landing drives on the finish of the half to tie the sport at 17.

Within the second half, it turned clear Williams was damage. The 20-year-old quarterback favored his left aspect and was visibly limping. Although Williams stayed within the sport, he was now not the participant that spearheaded one of the vital explosive offenses within the nation.

Throughout the second half, Williams confirmed some hesitation, too. And when the USC protection was on the sector, Williams rode the stationary bike on the sidelines. Backup quarterback Miller Moss grabbed his helmet and warmed up, however Williams remained below middle.

Having been unable to ascertain the run early, a hobbled Williams regarded frozen within the pocket, and all of it however sapped USC’s scoring prowess. Williams was uncharacteristically sacked 4 occasions and his throws lacked the pinpoint accuracy and energy they’ve had all season.

The Utes took benefit. They not solely pressured Williams loads, however on offense they went again to their most dependable possibility in opposition to the USC protection: tight ends. Dalton Kincaid and Thomas Yassmin mixed for 121 yards, together with a 60-yard Rising to Yassmin landing cross that pushed the lead again to 10 after USC minimize it to a few within the fourth quarter.

Rising completed with 310 yards within the air to 6 totally different receivers and three touchdowns. The senior out of California was chosen the sport’s most dear participant postgame. Due to Rising, the Utes as soon as once more did what no different crew might all season: outscore and outgain the Trojans. Utah completed with 533 whole yards of offense to USC’s 411.

By the point operating again Ja’Quinden Jackson broke off a 53-yard landing run to place the Utes up 16, the consequence was all however set in stone. The Utes have been going again to the Rose Bowl and USC was left with not simply two losses to the identical crew, however a damage quarterback and no title to indicate for his or her turnaround season too.