The Trojans regular season ends at 7-5 as the Fighting Irish march on to the BCS National Championship Game.
Click here for the recap and final stats.
Click here for the complete post-game press conference.
Building Block
In his first start, Max Wittek completed 14 of 23 passes for 186 yards and 1 TD with 2 INTs. More than the stats, he was composed throughout and fired the ball around the field. "I thought Max did really well for the situation," said Lane Kiffin about his redshirt freshman QB. "That's really Max's personality...throwing the ball down field, aggressively going after it. That's really who he is. I don't think he played nervous."
Missing Matt
The Trojans undoubtedly missed Matt Barkley, who sat out his Senior Day with a shoulder injury. Lane Kiffin became emotional in the pregame ceremony and then again in the post-game press conference thinking about his captain. "It's just wrong," Kiffin said. "That shouldn't happen to that kid for it to end like that. My heart just felt for him." Barkley supported his fellow Mater Dei alum. "He said, 'You played your heart out.' He said he was proud of me," said Wittek.
Stuck on the Field
Notre Dame converted only 5/14 on third down, but the Fighting Irish were 4/8 in the first half. They set a plodding tempo from the start of the game by extending drives, which led to a huge disparity in total plays (69 to 51) and time of possession (34:38 to 25:22). "We couldn't get off the field on third downs in the first half," said Kiffin plainly. As a play-caller, Kiffin admitted that it was hard to get anything going consistently with so few plays. The Trojans only converted on one third down in eight tries.
Goal Line Wall
On back-to-back drives in the fourth quarter, USC had 1st-and-goal inside the Notre Dame five-yard line only to be kept out of the end zone. The Trojans' hopes were finally dashed on the second goal line stand which ended in a drop by FB Soma Vainuku on 4th down. "We were not able to finish a couple of drives that were very telling," said Kiffin. "The difference of 11 points right there, only getting three instead of 14. You've got to make the plays in those situations." The Fighting Irish just added to their reputation for goal line stinginess. "That's kind of the theme of their season, great defense like that...goal line stands," said Wittek. "They came to play down there."
Out of the Woods
While Marqise Lee broke Robert Woods Pac-12 record for receptions in a season, the junior actually overshadowed the sophomore tonight with seven catches for 92 yards and a TD. Woods synced up nicely with Wittek, who depended on the route-running specialist. "He's so smart," said Wittek. "He knows defenses. It's easy to be on the same page with a guy like that."
A Season to Forget
USC started the season as the preseason No. 1, and proceeded to drop precipitously to 7-5 on the year, which has drawn the ire of the Trojan Family. "I'm disappointed too," said Kiffin. "I hear them. I feel them. We've got to do better and that starts with me." Hayes Pullard knows that the next generation must now lead the program. "We got to soak it in," said the linebacker. "We feel bad for the seniors. They came up to me after the game and told me they loved me. They want us to carry on this legacy."
Extra Point...
Bowl Business
Jerry Palm of CBSSports.com has the Trojans projected to play Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl, but nothing has been decided. USC could end up in the Holiday Bowl, Sun Bowl or Vegas Bowl. Before any bowl game though, Marqise Lee will head to Orlando hoping to become the first Biletnikoff Award winner in Trojan history.
(Photos by Danny Moloshok/AP and Harry How/Getty Images)
Click here for the recap and final stats.
Click here for the complete post-game press conference.
Building BlockIn his first start, Max Wittek completed 14 of 23 passes for 186 yards and 1 TD with 2 INTs. More than the stats, he was composed throughout and fired the ball around the field. "I thought Max did really well for the situation," said Lane Kiffin about his redshirt freshman QB. "That's really Max's personality...throwing the ball down field, aggressively going after it. That's really who he is. I don't think he played nervous."
Missing Matt
The Trojans undoubtedly missed Matt Barkley, who sat out his Senior Day with a shoulder injury. Lane Kiffin became emotional in the pregame ceremony and then again in the post-game press conference thinking about his captain. "It's just wrong," Kiffin said. "That shouldn't happen to that kid for it to end like that. My heart just felt for him." Barkley supported his fellow Mater Dei alum. "He said, 'You played your heart out.' He said he was proud of me," said Wittek.
Stuck on the Field
Notre Dame converted only 5/14 on third down, but the Fighting Irish were 4/8 in the first half. They set a plodding tempo from the start of the game by extending drives, which led to a huge disparity in total plays (69 to 51) and time of possession (34:38 to 25:22). "We couldn't get off the field on third downs in the first half," said Kiffin plainly. As a play-caller, Kiffin admitted that it was hard to get anything going consistently with so few plays. The Trojans only converted on one third down in eight tries.
Goal Line Wall
On back-to-back drives in the fourth quarter, USC had 1st-and-goal inside the Notre Dame five-yard line only to be kept out of the end zone. The Trojans' hopes were finally dashed on the second goal line stand which ended in a drop by FB Soma Vainuku on 4th down. "We were not able to finish a couple of drives that were very telling," said Kiffin. "The difference of 11 points right there, only getting three instead of 14. You've got to make the plays in those situations." The Fighting Irish just added to their reputation for goal line stinginess. "That's kind of the theme of their season, great defense like that...goal line stands," said Wittek. "They came to play down there."
Out of the WoodsWhile Marqise Lee broke Robert Woods Pac-12 record for receptions in a season, the junior actually overshadowed the sophomore tonight with seven catches for 92 yards and a TD. Woods synced up nicely with Wittek, who depended on the route-running specialist. "He's so smart," said Wittek. "He knows defenses. It's easy to be on the same page with a guy like that."
A Season to Forget
USC started the season as the preseason No. 1, and proceeded to drop precipitously to 7-5 on the year, which has drawn the ire of the Trojan Family. "I'm disappointed too," said Kiffin. "I hear them. I feel them. We've got to do better and that starts with me." Hayes Pullard knows that the next generation must now lead the program. "We got to soak it in," said the linebacker. "We feel bad for the seniors. They came up to me after the game and told me they loved me. They want us to carry on this legacy."
Extra Point...
Bowl Business
Jerry Palm of CBSSports.com has the Trojans projected to play Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl, but nothing has been decided. USC could end up in the Holiday Bowl, Sun Bowl or Vegas Bowl. Before any bowl game though, Marqise Lee will head to Orlando hoping to become the first Biletnikoff Award winner in Trojan history.
(Photos by Danny Moloshok/AP and Harry How/Getty Images)
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