After losing to Utah, 47-24, in the Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday evening in Las Vegas, the USC football team will not advance to the College Football Playoff.
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The No. 4 Trojans would have secured a postseason berth with a victory over the No. 11 Utes, but a disastrous defensive performance led to USC’s second loss to Utah this season.
Cameron Rising completed 22-of-34 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns as Utah racked up 533 total yards. His 60-yard pass to tight end Thomas Yassmin in the fourth quarter gave the Utes a 33-24 lead.
The Utes also dominated the Trojans on the ground with 35 carries for 223 yards and three touchdowns (6.4 YPC).
After a touchdown by Yassmin and an interception by R.J. Hubert of USC quarterback Caleb Williams, Utah running back Ja’Quinden Jackson scored from 53 yards out for a 39-24 lead.
The Utes defense then forced a turnover on downs, followed by a game-winning touchdown by Micah Bernard.
The USC offense did everything it could with Williams, the clear favorite for the Heisman Trophy, hobbled by a lower-body injury that briefly sent him to the medical tent during the game. Still impressive, he threw for 363 yards and three touchdowns.
However, the Utah offensive line dominated the trenches, giving the skill-position players ample space to dissect the USC defense via the air and the ground.
After falling behind 17-3 in the second quarter, Utah finishes the night on a 44-7 run, and Twitter highlights the team’s significant defensive struggles as a result.
Utah will now compete in the Rose Bowl as the representative of the Pac-12. After Saturday’s conference championship games, USC will learn its bowl destination.