In a bustling hallway outside USC’s celebratory locker room, Clay Helton stood alone and took a quiet moment to gather his thoughts.
Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler, standing across the way, apologized to a television reporter for bypassing an interview so that he could share a jubilant moment with victorious teammates.
And then the fifth-year senior turned around, spied Helton and walked toward the interim coach with arms outstretched to share a long, tight embrace.
In a season of turmoil, Helton, Kessler and the Trojans had just defeated rival UCLA with a 40-21 victory at the Coliseum that made USC the Pac-12 Conference South champion.
Saturday’s victory earned the Trojans the right to play Stanford next week for the conference title and a berth in the Rose Bowl. And it could enhance Helton’s bid to retain his job, minus the “interim” tag.
“I think about the seniors and the roller-coaster ride they have gone through,” Helton said. “I am so proud and a little bit lost for words.”
Resilient was the word of choice for USC players.
With the division title on the line for both the Trojans and the Bruins, USC played physical on offense and defense and won the rivalry game for the first time since 2011.
“The guys really came together and made a decision,” Kessler said of the Trojans’ preparation. “We weren’t losing this game.”
Kessler passed for two touchdowns and ran for one, Justin Davis had 130 of USC’s 235 yards rushing, the defense forced three key turnovers and Adoree’ Jackson returned a punt for a touchdown for the second game in a row as the Trojans improved its record to 8-4 overall and 6-3 in conference play.
Freshman cornerback Iman Marshall intercepted two Josh Rosen passes and freshman defensive lineman Rasheem Green returned a Rosen fumble for a touchdown as the USC defense bounced back from an embarrassing performance against Oregon.
The victory was the Trojans’ first over the Bruins since a 50-0 rout at the Coliseum four years ago. USC was then in the midst of NCAA probation that kept it out of postseason play.
Now the Trojans have a chance to play in Pasadena on New Year’s Day for the first time since the 2008 season.
“‘SC football is back,” said receiver Darreus Rogers, who caught a touchdown pass. “We knew we were supposed to be here.”
Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry discuss USC’s 40-21 victory over UCLA.
Jackson, whose 42-yard return in the second quarter gave USC a 20-14 halftime lead, said the Trojans played for their seniors.
“I could see how much they wanted to win,” the sophomore said, “how much they wanted to go out with a bang.”
For the second year in a row, UCLA fell short of winning the South by losing its final regular-season game.
“It’s like a bad dream,” Bruins receiver Thomas Duarte said. “Everything was on the line. Everything was right there for us and we didn’t execute.”
The Bruins finished the regular season 8-4 and 5-4 in conference play.
“My heart breaks for the players,” said UCLA Coach Jim Mora, who was 3-0 against USC before Saturday. “They put so much into this year. It breaks my heart to see the looks in their eyes.”
Rosen, a freshman, was involved in three turnovers, but he said the Trojans did “absolutely nothing” to throw him off.
“There are a lot of plays I wish I had back,” he said. “I didn’t play like myself and that was really frustrating.”
Rosen gave the Bruins a 14-10 lead with a second-quarter touchdown pass, but USC pulled to within a point with a field goal and then took the lead on Jackson’s punt return.
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USC Coach Clay Helton embraces his son after a 40-21 victory over UCLA on Nov. 28 at the Coliseum.
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USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster begins celebrating a 40-21 victory over crosstown rival UCLA in the closing moments of the fourth quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 3/43
UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen is consoled by offfensive lineman Conor McDermott after having a pass intercepted by USC in the fourth quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 4/43
Trojans football fans cheer their team in the closing moments of a 40-21 victory over crosstown rival UCLA on Saturday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 5/43
UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen is brought down by USC linebacker Olajuwon Tucker and defensive lineman Rasheem Green (94) during the fourth quarter. Rosen attempted a pass but it was to an ineligible receiver.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 6/43
USC tight end Taylor McNamara catches a touchdown pass behind UCLA defensive back Jaleel Wadood in the fourth quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 7/43
Justin Davis and USC will visit the Rose Bowl on Saturday night for their annual rivalry game against UCLA. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC cornerback Iman Marshall steps in front of UCLA’s Jordan Payton to make an interception during the second half.
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USC cornerback Iman Marshall is chased down by UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen after intercepting a pass in the second half.
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Coach Clay Helton and the Trojans will take on six teams in AP’s preseason top 25 rankings. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC cornerback Iman Marshall recovers his own fumble after intercepting a pass intended for UCLA receiver Jordan Payton in the fourth quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 12/43
USC defensive lineman Claude Pelon forces UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen to fumble during the second half, leading to Rasheem Green’s 31-yard return for a touchdown.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 13/43
USC defensive lineman Rasheem Green collects the ball after UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen was sacked by Claude Pelon and fumbled in the second half. Green ran 31 yards for a score.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 14/43
USC defensive end Rasheem Green (94) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown on a fumble return in the second half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 15/43
UCLA receiver Thomas Duarte can’t reach a pass as he’s covered by USC linebacker Su’a Cravens in the second half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 16/43
USC receiver Darreus Rogers reaches for the end zone as he is tackled by UCLA defensive back Nate Meadors on a 20-yard touchdown reception in the second half.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 17/43
USC linebacker Su’a Cravens breaks up a pass intended for UCLA receiver Thomas Duarte.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 18/43
USC linebacker Uchenna Nwosu makes the unsuccessful signal after UCLA kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed an attempt in the second half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 19/43
USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson breaks up a pass intended for UCLA receiver Darren Andrews.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 20/43
USC interim Coach Clay Helton talks with quarterback Cody Kessler during the second half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 21/43
UCLA linebacker Aaron Wallace sacks USC quarterback Cody Kessler during the third quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 22/43
UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen looks downfield for an open receiver against USC in the second half on Nov. 28, 2015.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 23/43
UCLA cornerback Nate Meadors brings down USC running back Justin Davis in the second half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 24/43
Trojans wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster makes a catch in front of UCLA defensive back Nate Meadors in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 25/43
Bruins running back Paul Perkins breaks into the clear against the Trojans on a 19-yard touchdown run in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 26/43
UCLA running back Paul Perkins is congratulated by teammate Nate Iese after scoring a touchdown against USC in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 27/43
UCLA coach Jim Mora calls for the Bruins to kick an extra point after scoring a touchdown against USC in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 28/43
USC running back Ronald Jones II is upended by UCLA’s Jayon Brown during the first half.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 29/43
UCLA Coach Jim Mora gets a good view of USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson returning a punt for a touchdown in the first half.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 30/43
USC linebacker Don Hill finishes off a block as teammate Adoree’ Jackson returns a punt for a touchdown in the first half.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 31/43
USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson returns a punt 42 yards for a touchdown against UCLA in the first half.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 32/43
USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (2) celebrates his punt return for a touchdown against UCLA with a teammate last Saturday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 33/43
UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen unloads a deep pass against USC in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 34/43
USC quarterback Cody Kessler throws downfield against UCLA in the first quarter.
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USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster puts a hand to the face of UCLA linebacker Jayon Brown after making a reception in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 36/43
UCLA wide receiver Thomas Duarte exchanges words with USC linebacker Su’a Cravens after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter.
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USC quarterback Cody Kessler is pressured by UCLA linebacker Deon Hollins during the first half.
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Bruins running back Paul Perkins picks up yards against the Trojans in the first half.
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The UCLA Bruins take the field for their game against USC on Saturday at the Coliseum.
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The USC Trojans take the field for their game against UCLA on Saturday at the Coliseum.
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A member of the UCLA marching band is framed by Sousaphones before the crosstown rivalry game against USC.
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UCLA football fans arrive with refreshments before the crosstown rivalry game against USC on Saturday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 43/43
USC football fans party beneath a mural before the crosstown rivalry game against UCLA on Saturday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) Running back Paul Perkins’ short touchdown run put the Bruins back in the lead early in the third quarter.
But Trojans lineman Claude Pelon sacked Rosen and forced a fumble that Green picked up and ran with for a 31-yard touchdown that started a run of 20 unanswered points.
“Toward the middle of the season, we kind of didn’t know what type of team we were,” Davis said. “Our game was kind of confused.
“Now we know the type of team we are. We’ve been playing very, very physical and our defense has been playing lights out.”
Senior defensive lineman Greg Townsend Jr. redshirted in 2011, so Saturday’s victory enabled him to finally take part in a win over the Bruins.
“It feels great playing against them and getting the win,” he said, “and running the town now.”
gary.klein@latimes.com
Twitter: @latimesklein
