The Trojans end the season at 7-6 after a Sun Bowl loss.
Click here for the recap and final stats.
Click here for Lane Kiffin's complete post-game press conference.
The Wind Bowl
From punting to throwing to energy, the wind was the dominant factor in the game. The temperatures on the field were freezing and the gusts played with the pigskin. Georgia Tech's go-ahead score came after a punt return to the goal line that was teed up by a wind-slammed duck. "We're going into the wind that way," said Lane Kiffin. "You've got to drive the ball low or it's going to go nowhere. The wind down there...was pretty vicious." Down a score or two for most of the second half, USC needed to turn to its aerial attack, but redshirt freshman QB Max Wittek never got a handle on the conditions.
(Photos of Silas Redd and Wittek by Mark Lambie/LA Times)
Wittek's Struggles
After a promising debut against Notre Dame, Matt Barkley's potential successor completed 14 of 37 passes for a mere 107 yards with 1 TD and 3 interceptions. To his credit, he refused to use the wind as an excuse. "It did carry a few balls, but we knew that coming in," said Wittek. "I knew I needed to drive the ball a bit more. It was there for both teams." While Cody Kessler is expected to compete for the starting job in the spring, Kiffin did not feel comfortable swapping out his starter. "With the way the temperature was going, with the way we were running the ball, I just didn't think that was the right move at the time," Kiffin explained. "I've always had a long leash in general anyway."
Kiffin's Course
The head coach made it clear that he deserves the lion's share of the blame for this season's disappointment. "All of it. We can't be 7-6 at 'SC." However, he is resolute that he can turn things around with a big offseason. In the next month, he is going to focus on hiring a defensive coordinator and "signing the best recruiting class in the country."
Sad Swan Song
This is obviously not how the 2012 senior class wanted to go out. "It's definitely not how I imagined us finishing up the season," said senior DE Wes Horton. USC finished the year losing five of its last six games, a streak which blind-sided the veterans. "Based off the talent we had coming into this season, I didn't see it coming. We had too many close games where we didn't come through," said Horton.
Woods Declares
After the game, Robert Woods announced that he will forego his senior season and declare for the NFL Draft. He leaves USC as the school's all-time leader in catches. "I want to thank USC first for offering me a scholarship and thank Coach Kiffin for making everything possible," said Woods, who caught three balls for 33 yards in his finale. "The decision was pretty hard and I had to weigh a lot of options, but I had to do what was best for me."
Lee's Team
With Barkley, Woods, Khaled Holmes and T.J. McDonald among the departing leadership core, Marqise Lee becomes the face of USC football. The sophomore is more than capable of handling the burden on and off the field. "All we can do is continue to work," said Lee about the plan going forward. "I'm ready to work, I'll tell you that right now."
Two-point conversion...
Decisions, Decisions
As for the other potential early entrants, junior RB Silas Redd will return for his senior season. Nickell Robey will take another week to weigh his options before making a final decision.
The Bright Spots
From an otherwise dreary performance, LB Hayes Pullard shined as the starting middle linebacker with 16 tackles. Also, Freshman All-American DT Leonard Williams had 14 tackles and half a sack.
Here are Max Wittek and Wes Horton after the game...
Click here for the recap and final stats.
Click here for Lane Kiffin's complete post-game press conference.
The Wind Bowl
From punting to throwing to energy, the wind was the dominant factor in the game. The temperatures on the field were freezing and the gusts played with the pigskin. Georgia Tech's go-ahead score came after a punt return to the goal line that was teed up by a wind-slammed duck. "We're going into the wind that way," said Lane Kiffin. "You've got to drive the ball low or it's going to go nowhere. The wind down there...was pretty vicious." Down a score or two for most of the second half, USC needed to turn to its aerial attack, but redshirt freshman QB Max Wittek never got a handle on the conditions.(Photos of Silas Redd and Wittek by Mark Lambie/LA Times)
Wittek's Struggles
After a promising debut against Notre Dame, Matt Barkley's potential successor completed 14 of 37 passes for a mere 107 yards with 1 TD and 3 interceptions. To his credit, he refused to use the wind as an excuse. "It did carry a few balls, but we knew that coming in," said Wittek. "I knew I needed to drive the ball a bit more. It was there for both teams." While Cody Kessler is expected to compete for the starting job in the spring, Kiffin did not feel comfortable swapping out his starter. "With the way the temperature was going, with the way we were running the ball, I just didn't think that was the right move at the time," Kiffin explained. "I've always had a long leash in general anyway."
Kiffin's Course
The head coach made it clear that he deserves the lion's share of the blame for this season's disappointment. "All of it. We can't be 7-6 at 'SC." However, he is resolute that he can turn things around with a big offseason. In the next month, he is going to focus on hiring a defensive coordinator and "signing the best recruiting class in the country."
Sad Swan Song
This is obviously not how the 2012 senior class wanted to go out. "It's definitely not how I imagined us finishing up the season," said senior DE Wes Horton. USC finished the year losing five of its last six games, a streak which blind-sided the veterans. "Based off the talent we had coming into this season, I didn't see it coming. We had too many close games where we didn't come through," said Horton.Woods Declares
After the game, Robert Woods announced that he will forego his senior season and declare for the NFL Draft. He leaves USC as the school's all-time leader in catches. "I want to thank USC first for offering me a scholarship and thank Coach Kiffin for making everything possible," said Woods, who caught three balls for 33 yards in his finale. "The decision was pretty hard and I had to weigh a lot of options, but I had to do what was best for me."
Lee's Team
With Barkley, Woods, Khaled Holmes and T.J. McDonald among the departing leadership core, Marqise Lee becomes the face of USC football. The sophomore is more than capable of handling the burden on and off the field. "All we can do is continue to work," said Lee about the plan going forward. "I'm ready to work, I'll tell you that right now."
Two-point conversion...
Decisions, Decisions
As for the other potential early entrants, junior RB Silas Redd will return for his senior season. Nickell Robey will take another week to weigh his options before making a final decision.
The Bright Spots
From an otherwise dreary performance, LB Hayes Pullard shined as the starting middle linebacker with 16 tackles. Also, Freshman All-American DT Leonard Williams had 14 tackles and half a sack.
Here are Max Wittek and Wes Horton after the game...
Lane has proven to be a fantastic offensive minded coach with today as a rare exception; however, Max had a really bad day much like Aaron Corp in '09. Our main weapons are our receivers. It is hard to win when they cannot get the ball.
Lane is also the best recruiting coach possibly in the country. Great recruiting classes lead to championships, just look at Alabama.
We will find a solid DC and will have great seasons under Lane, especially when not hampered by the recruiting sanctions. Most likely we will also have a NC within the next five years given the talent coming in.
My two cents worth...
Please let Pat Haden know I will not be renewing my season tickets and will not support the Heritage Initiative. Pat Haden is a joke of an AD and Kiffin isn't even worth describing he is so bad.
Kiffin, don't stop at hiring just a defensive coordinator, we need an offensive coordinator and a head coach that actually prepares for games.
There are politics involved. There are reasons why USC scored more points against a much-better, Oregon team than against UCLA and Georgia Tech.
Layla I didn't know your middle name was Samuel!! Mine too!!
tell me how much more must we endure pat? our programs has suffered since you took over. we need a coach that cares. we need a coach that prepares. we need a coach we have faith in. not this. under-inflated balls, bannings from interviews, walking out on interviews, game time jersey changes??? these are not the behaviors of a sc coach. this is not a jones-mccay-robinson-carroll type of coach, for a famed program as ours. he can not handle being the oc (lost the texas game that will go down in history as one of the worst oc performances ever). he is worse as a hc. arrogance is not a coach attribute. return us to glory. fire him today and hire gruden tomorrow. give me a reason to renew my season tickets.
I'm looking forward to hearing how Haden is going to ensure changes are made next year. I sincerely hope things do not continue to mirror the poor stewardship of the basketball program.
Dear Haden!
USC recruits for itself, don't need Lane to land top talent. Regardless, Kiffins recruting pitch is going to need some retooling now that he's drivin the Porshe over a cliff in the publics eye and almost none of his offensive prodigies are panning out in the league!
If graduation rates are the only positive then maybe someone needs to reevaluate your expectations as well. The football program has been an outright embarrassmentent in the Kiffin years! Just two cents of the thousands I've poured-in in season fix over the years!
Unfortunately you faced a much better team!
As an alumni from undergrad AND USC School of Dentisrty, and having been a close fan of our athletics, Scholarship member. I have not missed a home game since 1978. I have not missed an away on TV. I have endured the lethargy of Larry Smith, Paul Hackett. Seen 12 losses on a row to Notre Dame, 8 in a row to UCLA, witnessed medicrity at its highest level. I have endured many embarrarasing, heartbreaking moments as a Trojan. Let me say this.......I have never been so embarrassed, with a loss of pride and heritage as i have experienced this New Years eve. This is the lowest point i have seen our proud tradition based program EVER. If our AD, Pat Haden is 150% behind this coaching staff, and lets a fine man, like Monte Kiffin, step down like that with the cowardice, and stupidity of Mike Garret with coach Floyd. This is MY SCHOOL. I am not a fan, that i can switch allegience to, I am stuck with the Cardinal and Gold. But I'll tell you right now, i will not wear our colors right now!!!!! I will not sport my rings, right now. I will not defend our stupidity, right now. I implore to the powers that be!!!!! How can we support, an AD, that votes for our US president???? and buries his head to the obvious problems that beseech this program and demand change???? Sounds alot like our goverment!!!!! I am 150% in disagreement with Pat Haden and Lane Kiffin!!!
Glen above said it well. Kiffin comes across as so arrogant. Can't keep penalties under 100 yards per game, players are undeciplined, so little passon. Didn't try to help Wittek who was having a horrible game... to help him or lift his spirits.
Suggest USC run some read option in the future.. as it would not only produce yardage but one would hope would teach the "D" how to defend it so we don't continue to get blown out by competitors who run it. The "D" with all of the great athletes seem at times frozen and not sure what steps to take to attack their opponents.
All long time Trojans are depressed over Kiffins actions... from staring constantly at his laminated play calling card and not interacting with the players and showing some genuine emotion over the good and the bad. So detatched.
When you get a good coach, let me know and I will rejoin the Associates. Until then, count me out.
PS: Some day maybe someone will explain Kiffin's play calling against Washington in the 2nd half. Will go to my grave not understanding that business. That and him not having Reggie on the field during the NC game on 4th down against UT. That was just stupid... period.
It was not easy loosing so many games with the type of talent USC has... but Lane found a way to get it done. I am thinking that almost any other coach in the PAC-12 could have won more games with that talent.
Pete Carroll... please come back and save us from this overpaid idiot.