Trojans Lost This One Before Finishing Kick

The simplest explanation for USC’s 27-24 loss to Washington on Saturday was the kick that sailed 32 yards through the uprights as time expired. But football isn’t always that simple.

The Trojans lost the game--or an opportunity to grab hold of it--well before Washington’s John Anderson put his foot to the ball. Go back to 2:57 remaining in the third quarter with USC leading, 17-14.

Another USC touchdown would have put significant pressure on a Washington offense operating with a young line and a backup quarterback, Taylor Barton, called into action when starter Cody Pickett separated his shoulder. Four times, the Trojans had a chance to put the Huskies in a hole.

On the first possession, Washington called a timely blitz, linebacker Ben Mahdavi sacking Carson Palmer for a big loss. On fourth down, punter Mike MacGillivray hit the first in a string of wobbly punts, giving Washington the ball near midfield.

The defense held but the Trojans were beginning to lose field position, getting the ball back on their 17-yard line to start the fourth quarter.

On second down, receiver Keary Colbert’s jersey was grabbed by a defender but, when the pass fell incomplete, no flag was thrown. On third down, Palmer went to Colbert again, but the sophomore could not keep his feet inbounds. Either pass would have moved the chains.

“It came down to third downs,” USC Coach Pete Carroll said Sunday after watching game film. “We didn’t get it done.”

Carroll also said none of his backup punters have shown enough in practice to unseat MacGillivray, whose second short punt rolled dead at midfield, leading to Washington’s 25-yard field goal and a 17-17 score.

The Trojans faltered again on the next possession when tailback Sultan McCullough gained seven yards in two carries but Colbert could not hang on to a short third-down pass. It was another three-and-out, followed by another short punt. This time, however, Anderson missed a 35-yard field-goal attempt.

Finally, USC got the ball back at the 20-yard line and tried for a big play. Kareem Kelly broke open on a deep route past midfield but the pass came an instant late and, when it got there, he could not catch it. On third and one, McCullough was stopped for no gain.

Four possessions over a span of 11 minutes. Four times the Trojans went three-and-out.

Washington capitalized after that, driving 66 yards in five plays for the go-ahead touchdown. Though USC rallied with a Palmer-to-Kelly bomb, after the game Carroll looked back on that stretch.

“We had a chance to take control,” he said. “We lost an opportunity.”