Numbers Tell a Sad Story

The score of USC’s 10-6 loss to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl wasn’t the only disappointing number on Christmas Day.

The Trojans’ 151 yards represented their lowest output since a 1996 game against Washington. The one yard rushing was their worst since a loss to Texas Christian in the 1998 Sun Bowl.

Even the crowd, announced at 22,385--it appeared to be fewer--was the smallest they had played before since a 1997 game at Oregon State.

Despite the outcome--and the fact that players spent some late nights on the Strip earlier this week--the Trojans insisted they had prepared well and played hard in this game.

“We thought we were ready,” offensive lineman Faaesea Mailo said. “We had good practices all week.”

They also refused to compare this defeat to the Sun Bowl, when they looked sluggish and uninterested.

“We gave up in that game,” quarterback Carson Palmer said. ‘We didn’t give up in this one.”

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An obviously disappointed Carroll said he did not blame USC fans for thinking that a Pacific 10 Conference team should defeat an opponent from the Mountain West Conference.

“I don’t blame anyone for expecting that,” he said. “I expect it too.”

Utah players said they knew the Trojans were expecting it.

“We’re popping our collars now,” said running back Dameon Hunter, who rushed for 94 yards in 17 carries. “That’s just how we’re doing things. It brings [the conference] up. Maybe now people in other conferences might respect the Mountain West.”

Defensive back Arnold Parker said the Trojans seemed surprised by their inability to move the ball against the Utes.

“It’s like they overestimated,” Parker said. “They probably thought we were a weaker defense, a weaker conference.”

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Carroll told reporters that he was going into hiding for a while, but with the recruiting season nearing its conclusion, he wasn’t talking about moping.

“This doesn’t take anything away from what we did this year,” he said. “It’s not going to dampen my spirits.”

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The Utes had to make some adjustments along the offensive line because all-conference tackle Doug Kaufusi was suspended for his conviction in a misdemeanor assault case.

Outside the locker room, USC band members were already looking forward to next season’s Aug. 31 opener against Auburn, chanting: “Beat the Tigers.”

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Times staff writer J.A. Adande contributed to this report.