Many Supporters in Kelly’s Corner

Cornerbacks Daylon McCutcheon and Brian Kelly consider themselves a tandem--”We take a lot of pride in that,” Kelly says--and McCutcheon was quick to console Kelly after he dropped a potential interception in the fourth quarter of USC’s 14-7 loss to Florida State on Saturday.

“I just told him to keep his head up,” said McCutcheon, who had an interception earlier in the fourth quarter. “I don’t think one play loses a game. He did not lose the game with that play there. I told him a game is made up of a lot of plays. There were a lot of other moments.”

The moment when the ball was in Kelly’s arms about 11 yards from Florida State’s end zone was a big one, though.

“I saw six all the way,” Kelly said.

So did Florida State, which went on to complete a 97-yard drive for the winning touchdown.

USC Coach John Robinson tried not to take away from Kelly’s otherwise outstanding performance.

“To me, Brian Kelly played a great football game,” Robinson said. “I’m going to work with him on his hands, though . . . “

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USC was four of 17 on third-down conversions, but Florida State wasn’t much better at four of 14. . . . USC punter Jim Wren, considered the best punter in the nation, had an inconsistent night, averaging 41.7 yards a punt after averaging 45.6 last season. Wren had two 53-yard punts but three were 35 yards or less.

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NEXT FOR USC

Who: Washington State

Where: Coliseum

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

TV: Fox Sp. West

Radio: KLSX-FM (97.1)