The Trojans could not overcome a 24-point deficit and drop the Pac-12 South and city title to the rival Bruins.
Click here for the recap and final stats.
Click here for Lane Kiffin's press conference.
24-0
USC famously rallied from 24-0 down to defeat Notre Dame in 1974. Given the exact same deficit, Lane Kiffin thought his Trojans might just pull off the same feat. Instead, USC was never able to climb the mountain, which leaves the question, why was the hole so deep in the first place? "A lot of that falls on me," said Kiffin. "For us to go down like that early, obviously, there was something wrong in how we had our guys ready to play." As has been a disturbing trend this season, USC began the game with two turnovers in the first three series. "The number one glaring thing in our losses has been turnovers."
The Quarterbacks
Matt Barkley is one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the Pac-12, but he was outplayed by his young counterpart from UCLA, Brett Hundley. "You wouldn't think that we'd lose this game with a senior quarterback versus a freshman," Kiffin said. Barkley left the Rose Bowl with his right arm in a sling after taking a vicious hit, which knocked him out of the contest. While his senior season has not turned out how he hoped, Barkley has no regrets about coming back. "There's nothing you can do now, why sit and pout about it?" said Barkley about his decision. "It isn't how I expected it to turn out, but as of now, you have to be optimistic as to how we can finish this season on a good note."
Defensive Deficiencies
USC's defense was solid on first and second down, but third and longs (and even one 4th and 13) were a nightmare. Coverage breakdowns were an issue, but so were missed tackles, which tallied up to 17 on the afternoon. Hundley's poise was the difference. "We thought he was going to be a little [shaken] up being a rookie playing in the Rose Bowl, rivalry week," said Hayes Pullard. "We tried to put a little pressure on him, [but] he reacted well. He executed the plan that they schemed for us." Johnathan Franklin ran for 171 yards and a 2 TDs, but Pullard said the key was how well the senior back carried out his fakes and took the linebackers out of position.
Kicking Themselves
The kicking game, which has been a strength for USC under Lane Kiffin, was a complete mismatch today. Andre Heidari missed a field goal and an extra point, and both he and punter Kyle Negrete had kicks blocked. On the other side, UCLA's Jeff Locke controlled field position with two punts inside the 20, and he nullified Marqise Lee on kick returns. "I wanted those kickoffs so bad," said Marqise Lee, who only got his hands on one for 27 yards. "Great kicker. That dude was kicking it out of the end zone."
A City in the Balance
USC has now won 12 of the last 14 in this series, so the Bruins will have to show some consistency before claiming to "run the town." However, UCLA's stock is rising with a new head coach Jim Mora Jr. and redshirt freshman QB Brett Hundley, who will be tough to unseat in the coming years. The Bruins earned the Trojans respect tonight. "We played against a great UCLA football team that grew up and came out and executed their plan," said LB Hayes Pullard.
Laugh to Keep from Crying
Remember when USC was the preseason No. 1? Seems like a long time ago. If someone had told Marqise Lee during the preseason that the Trojans would be saddled with four losses this year, "I would have laughed," he said. "This is part of life." The head coach described the latest loss as "crushing." Without a chance at the Pac-12 or a BCS bowl, the Trojans are relegated to spoiling Notre Dame's perfect season next week. "Take out Notre Dame," said Robert Woods about what's left to play for. "I guess we're playing to keep them out of the national championship game."
Extra-point...
Kiffin's Program
Lane Kiffin stated clearly that his job is not in jeopardy this season. "I don't feel that way at all and that comes from the top. At the same time, I'm extremely disappointed by this season. We are too talented to have this many losses. That falls on me."
(Top photo by Gina Ferazzi/LA Times, bottom photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Here is junior WR Robert Woods (5 catches for 68 yards) after the game...
Click here for the recap and final stats.
Click here for Lane Kiffin's press conference.
24-0
USC famously rallied from 24-0 down to defeat Notre Dame in 1974. Given the exact same deficit, Lane Kiffin thought his Trojans might just pull off the same feat. Instead, USC was never able to climb the mountain, which leaves the question, why was the hole so deep in the first place? "A lot of that falls on me," said Kiffin. "For us to go down like that early, obviously, there was something wrong in how we had our guys ready to play." As has been a disturbing trend this season, USC began the game with two turnovers in the first three series. "The number one glaring thing in our losses has been turnovers."The Quarterbacks
Matt Barkley is one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the Pac-12, but he was outplayed by his young counterpart from UCLA, Brett Hundley. "You wouldn't think that we'd lose this game with a senior quarterback versus a freshman," Kiffin said. Barkley left the Rose Bowl with his right arm in a sling after taking a vicious hit, which knocked him out of the contest. While his senior season has not turned out how he hoped, Barkley has no regrets about coming back. "There's nothing you can do now, why sit and pout about it?" said Barkley about his decision. "It isn't how I expected it to turn out, but as of now, you have to be optimistic as to how we can finish this season on a good note."
Defensive Deficiencies
USC's defense was solid on first and second down, but third and longs (and even one 4th and 13) were a nightmare. Coverage breakdowns were an issue, but so were missed tackles, which tallied up to 17 on the afternoon. Hundley's poise was the difference. "We thought he was going to be a little [shaken] up being a rookie playing in the Rose Bowl, rivalry week," said Hayes Pullard. "We tried to put a little pressure on him, [but] he reacted well. He executed the plan that they schemed for us." Johnathan Franklin ran for 171 yards and a 2 TDs, but Pullard said the key was how well the senior back carried out his fakes and took the linebackers out of position.
Kicking Themselves
The kicking game, which has been a strength for USC under Lane Kiffin, was a complete mismatch today. Andre Heidari missed a field goal and an extra point, and both he and punter Kyle Negrete had kicks blocked. On the other side, UCLA's Jeff Locke controlled field position with two punts inside the 20, and he nullified Marqise Lee on kick returns. "I wanted those kickoffs so bad," said Marqise Lee, who only got his hands on one for 27 yards. "Great kicker. That dude was kicking it out of the end zone."A City in the Balance
USC has now won 12 of the last 14 in this series, so the Bruins will have to show some consistency before claiming to "run the town." However, UCLA's stock is rising with a new head coach Jim Mora Jr. and redshirt freshman QB Brett Hundley, who will be tough to unseat in the coming years. The Bruins earned the Trojans respect tonight. "We played against a great UCLA football team that grew up and came out and executed their plan," said LB Hayes Pullard.
Laugh to Keep from Crying
Remember when USC was the preseason No. 1? Seems like a long time ago. If someone had told Marqise Lee during the preseason that the Trojans would be saddled with four losses this year, "I would have laughed," he said. "This is part of life." The head coach described the latest loss as "crushing." Without a chance at the Pac-12 or a BCS bowl, the Trojans are relegated to spoiling Notre Dame's perfect season next week. "Take out Notre Dame," said Robert Woods about what's left to play for. "I guess we're playing to keep them out of the national championship game."
Extra-point...
Kiffin's Program
Lane Kiffin stated clearly that his job is not in jeopardy this season. "I don't feel that way at all and that comes from the top. At the same time, I'm extremely disappointed by this season. We are too talented to have this many losses. That falls on me."
(Top photo by Gina Ferazzi/LA Times, bottom photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Here is junior WR Robert Woods (5 catches for 68 yards) after the game...
Okay now, SC just got whipped by UCLA. Let's not forget about the losses Oregon and Stanford too. Wasn't this supposed to be Kiffin's breakout year? His test? What a flop! I've been an SC football fan since the early 70's and under Kiffin's helm, this year has undoubtedly been a dissapointment to the program, the university and it's fans. What a disgrace! Now that the sanctions are over, it's time to put an end to this trainwreck, find a "real coach" and rebuild before it gets any worse. Let's face it, Kiffin stinks! Mr. Hayden, loved you as an SC and Ram quarterback. You're one of the great ones. Are you listening? It's time for a change of scenery. Put that great education of yours to work....please?
I thought we got rid of Ted Tollner.
Kiffin's job may be safe, but his father's job should not be. Monte's 25+ years experience in the NFL is an utter liability to the program. He has the mindset that he is playing an NFL team or an NFL QB every week and he becomes afraid to do anything except play a passive defense, especially on 3rd downs. Since he's been here, the Trojans have been atrocious on 3rd and longs on defense. The opposing team always converts 3rd and longs against USC. And it happened again vs. UCLA on that 3rd and 13 with the game on the line.
Monte, you're not playing Joe Montana and Troy Aikman every week. You don't have to play soft defense on every 3rd down. These are 19-20 year old college kids. Let 'em play instead of letting them stand around and "keeping everything in front of them."
Hopefully, there will be a new DC next year.
Really believe in Lane. Monte, please stop using the Tampa two man defense in third and long situations. It does not work in college. The kids need more experience. Please use a zone or preferably a zone blitz with the blitz coming up the middle. Keep it simple and trust our athletes to show what they can do.
Your complex defensive schemes keep leading to missed assignments and third down conversions for our opponents. Please use the traditional man in under 10 third downs and zone if over ten. Keep it simple!
My unwanted (I'm sure) two cents worth...
Sincerely,
Frustrated fan!
Lane is no Ted! Ted was a horrible play caller and would punt on 4th and 2 with 3 1/2 minutes left and down by 7 at mid-field against UCLA. He was terrible!
Lane is an excellent offensive mind and an outstanding recruiter. We should never lose him. Like most coaches he will stumble, but he will end up on top in the end.
Lane's big problem since he has been at SC is his father. I really like both, but the father just has not adjusted his thinking for college football. He treats the players like they are pros. They are not and most will never play on Sundays. They are relatively new and need simpler defensive schemes. Monte cannot seem to see that for whatever reason. It is time to find someone that can understand scheming for defense college football.
I am very sorry that it has not worked with Monte.