6-Points: Wisconsin 23, USC 21

By Jordan Moore on December 31, 2015 7:55 AM | 3 Comments

The Trojans fall in the Holiday Bowl and finish the season 8-6.

Click here for final stats and box score.

Click here for the Rapid Reaction.

Click here for the post-game press conference.

Wisconsin's Game

In a clash of styles, the Big Ten bullies were able to grind the game to a halt and control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball for large portions of the Holiday Bowl. The Badgers out-rushed the Trojans on the ground, 177 to 65. "We knew going into the game that they were going to give us a really good challenge," said junior RB Justin Davis, who had 27 yards on 12 carries and 2 TDs. "They have a great front seven and they were really physical, and we just missed on a couple of assignments. We weren't executing and communicating like we were supposed to. We didn't get the job done." USC head coach Clay Helton reiterated that the Trojans need to "establish our own physicality" in the offseason.

USC's Game

Down 20-7 in the third quarter, the Trojans showed the comeback spirit that has become their trademark under Helton. USC took a 21-20 lead in the fourth quarter, but ultimately failed to execute down the stretch to close it out. "The team that made the fewest mistakes won the game," said Helton. "It's a game that I am going to look back and watch the film and be a little bit sick. I thought we missed some opportunities both in the run game and the pass game. You look up and we just took turns." Needing a field goal to win it late, the Trojans shot themselves in the foot with an interception to end one possession and then a killer personal foul to start the next one.

Mind the Gap

Just when USC had all the momentum, Wisconsin turned the game around thanks to its blitz pressures right up the gap between the center and the guard. Jack Cichy, who came into the game with two career sacks, had sacks on three consecutive plays to frustrate the Trojans. "They were doing a great job of disguising it and shooting the gap at the last minute," said Davis. "They kind of messed us up and kind of got us out of our game." On his fourth quarter interception, Kessler was hit as a he threw the ball thanks to another linebacker blitz. "They did a nice job with their interior pressures," said Helton. "We had a couple of physical beats and a couple of assignment busts that really cost us. At the end of the game, that's kinda what won the game."

Just Missed

USC's biggest advantage was on the perimeter, but the Trojans could not take full advantage of their mismatches down the field. "That was the game plan," said Helton about taking deep shots down the field. "To come here, one, back their safeties up a little bit to be able to have some success running the ball, but also, we liked our one-on-one match-ups out there. We have some very talented receivers and we wanted to give them some opportunities to make some big plays." JuJu Smith-Schuster led all receivers with 65 yards on 4 catches, but several other targets fell just out of his grasp.

Hard to Say Goodbye

Tears filled the post-game locker room as the seniors hugged their teammates and coaches, saying goodbye and thanks for all the memories. "It is really emotional. My last game as a Trojan, it is emotional right now," said senior captain Antwaun Woods, who had 8 tackles in his final game. Fellow senior Delvon Simmons boasted USC's best performance of the night, recording a game-high 11 tackles, including two for loss. "I'll never forget this group and what they've done," said Helton. "I'm sad for them because we really wanted to win this game for them."

Hello 2016

With all five captains departing, the Trojans need new leaders to step up if they want to reach great heights in the coming year. "We've been through it all," said Davis about his class which enters its final season. "All this adversity has kind of made us natural leaders. We are going to get these young guys going in the right direction because the future is so bright. We just have to steer the wheel and make sure we don't go off course." After National Signing Day (February 3) and spring football, USC gets its long awaited shot at Alabama to start next season in Texas. "This is a really big offseason for us and we have got to prepare," said Davis. "Alabama starts today."

Here are the Holiday Bowl highlights:

6-Points: Wisconsin 23, USC 21

6-Points: Wisconsin 23, USC 21

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