USC falls to 0-3 against Utah in the Lincoln Riley era with stunning, last-second loss
It couldn’t be happening again, could it? After two devastating defeats last season, this was supposed to be USC’s chance at long-awaited catharsis, a shot at finally landing a return punch on Utah, which had been without its star quarterback — and a functional offense — all season.
As the 14th-ranked Utes took a two-score lead into the fourth quarter Saturday at the Coliseum, that familiar heartbreak that struck a season ago in Salt Lake City seemed to gurgle up.
USC’s offense had struggled to move the ball. Its defense had struggled to get a stop, but got a huge lift from Calen Bullock’s pick-six early in the fourth.
Last-second Utah field goal crushes USC rally
No. 14 Utah 34, No. 18 USC 32, final
Utah didn’t return the kickoff and started on its 25.
On first down, Bryson Barnes passes to Ja’Quinden Jackson for a one yard gain.
On second-and-10, Barnes’ pass was incomplete.
On third-and-10, Barnes passed to Mikey Matthews for eight yards. Bear Alexander was called for roughing the passer to extend the Utes’ drive. The officials reviewed the play and booted Alexander out of the game for a targeting penalty.
On first down at the Utah 49, the Utes were called for false start.
On first-and-15 at the Utah 44 with 1:10 left, Barnes was hit hard as he ran for 13 yards.
On second-and-two, Barnes tossed the ball out of bounds.
On third-and-two with 35 seconds left, Jackson rushed for one yard.
Utah called timeout with 25 seconds left.
On fourth-and-one at the USC 42, Jackson rushed for two yards. The play was reviewed and the first down was upheld.
On first down at the USC 40 with 19 seconds left, Barnes’ pass to Devaughn Vele was incomplete.
On second-and-10, Utah was called for false start.
On second-and-15 at the USC 45 with 16 seconds left, Barnes ran for 26 yards.
On first down at the USC 19, Utah called timeout with five seconds left on the clock.
Cole Becker lined up for a field goal and USC burned its final timeout.
After the timeout, Utah snapped and Barnes ran to the left to center the field-goal attempt.
Becker lined up and hit the 38-yard field goal as time expired to seal the Utes’ win.
Long Zachariah Branch kickoff return sets up USC score
No. 18 USC 32, No. 14 Utah 31, 1:47 left in fourth quarter
Utah does not return the kickoff and starts on its 25.
On first down, Sione Vaki rushes for five yards.
On second-and-five, Ja’Quinden Jackson rushes for one yard.
USC used one of its timeouts.
On third-and-four, Bryson Barnes passed under pressure by Bear Alexander and it was incomplete.
Utah punted the ball 42 yards and Zachariah Branch ran it back 61 yards to the Utah 11.
On first down, USC went with an empty backfiend and Caleb Williams ran forward for the 11-yard touchdown.
The two-point conversion attempt failed as Williams rolled back under pressure.
USC settles for a field goal, hopes to get the ball back
No. 14 Utah 31, No. 18 USC 26, 3:03 left in fourth quarter
USC’s Zachariah Branch returned the kickoff six yards to the Trojans’ 13.
On first down, Caleb Williams passed to Brenden Rice for 12 yards.
On first down at the USC 25, Williams was sacked for loss of six yards.
On second-and-16, Williams left the collapsing pocket and ran for 12 yards.
On third-and-four, Williams looks up to pass on the run and finds Dorian Singer for a gain of 17.
On first down at the USC 48, Austin Jones rushed for seven yards.
On second-and-three, Jones rushed for seven yards.
On first down at the Utah 38, Williams passed to Tahj Washington for six yards.
On second-and-four, Williams passed to Mario Williams for 18 yards.
On first down at the Utah 14, a Williams pass to Brenden Rice was broken up.
On second-and-10, Jones rushed for six yards.
On third-and-10, Williams was sacked and recovered a fumble.
Denis Lynch 36-yard field goal as Lincoln Riley once again gambled that USC will both get a stop and get the ball back in time to erase its current five-point deficit.
Utah counters USC pick-six with a field goal
No. 14 Utah 31, No. 18 USC 23, 8:24 left in fourth quarter
Utah returned the ball 11 yards to the Utes’ 12-yard line.
On first down, Bryson Barnes passed to Sione Vaki for 36 yards.
On first down at the Utah 48, Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed up the middle for a five-yard gain.
On second-and-five, Jackson rushed for one yard.
On third-and-four, Barnes ran for five yards.
On first down at the USC 41, Vaki turned the corner on a sweep and 24 yards.
On first down at the USC 17, Jackson rushed for two yards.
On second-and-eight, Jackson rushed for no yards.
On third-and-eight, Barnes’ pass under pressure was incomplete.
Cole Becker hit a 33-yard field goal to extend Utah’s lead.
Calen Bullock delivers huge pick-six to give USC life
No. 14 Utah 28, No. 18 USC 23, 13:28 left in fourth quarter
Utah returned the USC kickoff to the Utes’ 21-yard line.
On first down, Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed for no gain after Solomon Byrd tripped him.
On second-and-10, the Utes rushed for a one-yard loss.
On third-and-11, Bryson Barnes drops back to pass under pressure and Calen Bullock intercepted the ball and returned it for a 30-yard touchdown.
USC’s two-point conversion attempt failed, with the pocket collapsing and Caleb Williams passing the ball out of the back of the end zone while a Utah player was hanging onto him.
Denis Lynch hits field goal to trim Utah lead
No. 14 Utah 28, No. 18 USC 17, end of the third quarter
Zachariah Branch returned the kickoff 18 yards to the USC 20.
On first down, Caleb Williams passed to Tahj Washington for seven yards.
On second-and-three, USC and Utah were called for offsetting penalities.
On second-and-three, USC was called for a false start.
On second-and-eight, Williams passed to Michael Jackson III for one yard.
On third-and-seven, USC had to call timeout. Williams then passed to Brenden Rice for nine yards.
On first down at the USC 32, Williams passed to Washington for 40 yards.
On first down at the Utah 28, USC was hit with an ineligible receiver penalty.
On first-and-15 at the Utah 33, Williams’ pass was batted down at the line by Utah.
On second-and-15, Williams passed to Dorian Singer for six yards.
On third-and-nine, Williams passed to Kyron Hudson for 27-yard touchdown. Utah was called offsides on the snap. Hudson was called for pass interference and the two penalties offset.
On third-and-nine, Williams passed and the ball was tipped before falling incomplete.
On fourth-and-nine, Denis Lynch hit a 44-yard field goal as time expired in the third quarter.
Many expected USC to go for it on fourth down, but Lincoln Riley took the points.
Will the Trojans get enough possessions to overcome the rest of the deficit? Hard to say.
Utah stuns USC with a quick score and a formidable two-touchdown lead
No. 14 Utah 28, No. 18 USC 14, 3:28 left in the third quarter
Utah started on its 45-yard line.
On first down, Bryson Barnes passes to Devaughn Vele for six yards.
On second-and-four, Sione Vaki is tackled for a loss of three yards.
On third-and-seven, Barnes ducked out of the pocket and ran up the middle, sliding for a gain of 11.
On first down at the USC 41, Ja’Quinden Jackson ran for 26 yards.
On first down at the USC 15, Barnes passed up the middle to Vaki, who changed direction from right to left and ran in for a 15-yard touchdown. Utah hit the extr apoint to extend its lead.
MarShawn Lloyd fumbles and Utah recovers
No. 14 Utah 21, No. 18 USC 14, 6:18 left in the third quarter
Zachariah Branch received the kickoff at the USC five-yard line and he ran it back 27 yards to the Trojans’ 32.
On first down at the USC 32, Caleb Williams evaded pressure and rolled to his right before tossing the ball out of bounds.
On second-and-10, Williams scrambled up the middle for a gain of 15 yards.
On first down at the USC 47, MarShawn Lloyd ran for eight yards and fumbled after Utah punched the ball out. Utah recovered at its 45-yard line.
It was the Utes’ first turnover of the game.
Utah powers through for a touchdown, reclaiming the lead
No. 14 Utah 21, No. 18 USC 14, 7:30 left in the third quarter
Utah starts on its 41.
On first down Money Parks rushed for seven yards.
On second-and-three, Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed for six yards.
On first down at the Utah 46, Bryson Barnes passes to Parks for 24 yards.
On first down at the Utah 24, Sione Vaki rushed for six yards.
On second-and-four, Jackson rushes for nine yards.
On first down at the USC 9, Barnes ran for six yards.
On second-and-goal at the USC 3, Jackson rushed for no gain but Bear Alexander was called for unnecessary roughness.
On first-and-goal at the USC 1, Jackson rushed for no gain.
On second-and-goal at the USC 1, Utah was called for false start.
On second-and-goal at the USC 6, Barnes rolled away from USC pressure and passed to Landen King for a six-yard touchdown. Utah hit the extra point to end its drought and reclaim the lead.
USC offense goes three-and-out to open third quarter
No. 18 USC 14, No. 14 Utah 14, 13:01 left in the third quarter
USC started on its 18.
On first down, MarShawn Lloyd rushed for four yards.
On second-and-six, Caleb Williams passed to Dorian Singer for one yard.
On third-and-five, Williams scanned the field, faked a pass and was sacked for a loss of five yards.
USC punted and Utah fair caught it at the Utes’ 41.
And we’re back ...
No. 18 USC 14, No. 14 Utah 14, start of the third quarter
USC returned the opening kickoff 18 yards to the USC 18.
USC can’t score on final play of second quarter
No. 18 USC 14, No. 14 Utah 14, end of second quarter
USC started on its 10.
On first down, Caleb Williams passed to Dorian Singer for 10 yards.
On first down at the USC 21, Williams passed the ball out of bounds as he was hit.
On second-and-10, Williams passed to Mario Williams for seven yards.
On third-and-three, Williams passed to Michael Jackson III for three yards.
USC spiked the ball to stop the clock.
On first down at USC 31, Wiliams’ deep pass was incomplete. Williams complained that the refs didn’t call a pass interference penalty.
On third down, Williams was sacked and the second-quarter clock ran out.
USC will receive the ball to open the third quarter.
USC defense forces Utah to punt again
No. 18 USC 14, No. 14 Utah 14, 1:18 left in second quarter
Utah started on its 20-yard line.
Bryson Barnes passed to Devaughn for a 17-yard gain.
On first down at the Utah 37, Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed for two yards.
On second-and-eight, Vaki bowls through the USC defense for a 20-yard gain.
On first down on the USC 41, Vaki rushed for nine yards.
On second-and-one, Utah was called for a false start for a five-yard loss.
On second and six, Bear Alexander broke up a handoff and Utah fell on the ball at the Utah 42. The Utes also got an unnecessary roughness penalty.
On third-and-26, Barnes rushed for four yards.
USC called timeout.
On fourth-and-22 at the Utah 47, the Utes punted. Zachariah Branch was tackled for a loss of two yards on the return at the USC 10.
USC offense stalls
No. 18 USC 14, No. 14 Utah 14, 4:20 left in second quarter
USC started on its 17.
Caleb Williams passed to Lake McRee for a gain of 31 yards.
On first down at the Utah 48, Williams passed Brenden Rice for a four-yard loss.
Utah was called for false start and it brought up third-and-19 on the USC 43, it appeared Williams tossed a pick, but it was called off.
On third-and-14, Williams passed to Tahj for an eight-yard gain.
USC punted and it led ot a touchback.
USC defense earns stop on fourth down
No. 18 USC 14, No. 14 Utah 14, 7:36 left in second quarter
Utah started on its 20-yard line.
On first down, Sione Vaki rushed for four yards.
On second-and-six, Bryson Barnes passed to Vaki for 36 yards. USC’s Domani Jackson was called for a personal foul on the play and Utah gained another 15 yards.
On first down at USC 25, Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed for five yards.
On second-and-five, Barnes’ pass to the left side of the end zone was incomplete.
On third-and-five, Vaki rushed for four yards.
On fourth-and-one, USC’s defense stuffs Utah’s Barnes for a loss of one yard. Utah turned the ball over on downs.
USC will take over on its 17.
USC punts as Caleb Williams struggles to connect with receivers
No. 18 USC 14, No. 14 Utah 14, 9:59 left in second quarter
USC opened its drive on the 25-yard line.
Caleb Williams passed to MarShawn Lloyd, who bobbled the ball. Utah eventually recovered and officials reviewed whether Lloyd ever had control of the ball. The ruling on the field was a turnover, but the call was reversed after a review.
On second-and-10, Williams passed to Brenden Rice for 11 yards.
On first down at USC’s 36, Austin Jones rushed for no gain.
On second-and-10, Williams tossed the ball into the turf under pressure from Utah.
On third-and-10, Williams’ pass to Duece Robinson fell behind the receiver and was incomplete.
USC punted and Utah returned it to its 20-yard line.
USC defense follows Trojans’ punt with a stop
No. 18 USC 14, No. 14 Utah 14, 10:57 left in second quarter
Utah didn’t return USC’s punt and the Utes’ drive started on its 20-yard line.
Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed three yards and then for two yards.
On third-and-five, Bryson Barnes passed to Vele Devaughn for 14 yards.
On first down at the Utah 39, Barnes scanned down field for receviers, but his pocket quickly collapsed and Romello Height sacked Barnes for a loss of 12 yards.
On the next play, De’jon Benton dropped Jackson for a two-yard loss.
On third-and-24, Jackson rushed for six yards.
Utah punted and USC took a fair catch at its 25-yard line.
USC closes the first quarter poised to punt
No. 18 USC 14, No. 14 Utah 14, end of the first quarter
Zachariah Branch returned Utah’s kickoff 24 yards to the USC 25-yard line.
On first down, MarShawn Lloyd ran for three yards.
On second-and-seven, Caleb Williams passed to Lloyd for five yards.
On third-and-two, USC was about to get a false start penalty when coach Lincoln Riley called timeout.
Williams rushed for one yard.
Facing fourth-and-one at the USC 33, the Trojans lined up to punt as time expired in the first quarter.
Utah counters USC’s score, tying the game
No. 18 USC 14, No. 14 Utah 14, 1:54 left in the first quarter
Utah returned opening kickoff 53 yards to the USC 47.
On first down, Bryson Barnes passed for a five-yard gain.
On second-and-five, Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed for one yard.
On third-and-four, Jackson rushed for one yard.
On fourth-and-three at the USC 40, Bryson Barnes passed for a nine-yard gain to extend the Utes’ drive.
On first down on the USC 31, Barnes tossed an incomplete pass to the end zone, sailing the ball past a well-covered receiver.
On second down, Jackson raced up the middle for a 19-yard gain.
On first down on the USC 12, Sione Vaki rushed for eight yards, but the Utes picked up a five-yard penalty for illegal formation.
On first-and-15 on the USC 17, Jaylon Glover rushed up the middle for seven yards.
On second-and-eight, Barnes ran for a 10-yard touchdown. The Utes hit the extra point to tie the game.
USC offense keeps rolling, scores after deep Caleb Williams pass
No. 18 USC 14, No. 14 Utah 7, 6:17 left in the first quarter
USC started on its 16-yard line.
On first down, MarShawn Lloyd rushed for six yards.
On second-and-four, Caleb Williams passed to Brenden Rice for a six-yard gain.
On first down at the USC 28, Williams passed to Lake McRee for no yards.
On second-and-10, Lloyd rushed for 15 yards.
On first down at the USC 43, Lloyd gained five yards.
Having set up Lloyd as a potent run threat, Williams had plenty of time on second down to drop back for a 51-yard pass to Tahj Washington.
On first down at the Utah 1, Williams was chased out of the pocket and rushed for a one-yard loss.
On second down, Williams faked a handoff and tossed an option pitch to Zachariah Branch, who swept to the left for a two-yard touchdown.
Lynch hit the extra point to give USC its first lead.
USC defense earns its first stop
No. 18 USC 7, No. 14 Utah 7, 10:05 left in the first quarter
Utah returned the kickoff 18 yards to the Utes’ 29-yard line.
Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed eight yards and then carried the ball a two-yard loss.
On third-and-four, Utah was called for an illegal snap penalty.
On third-and-nine, Bryson Barnes tossed a short incomplete pass and the Utes punted.
Zachariah Branch briefly muffed the punt at the USC 16 and recovered, downing the ball at the 16.
MarShawn Lloyd overpowers Utah defense to score, tie the game
No. 18 USC 7, No. 14 Utah 7, 11:49 left in the first quarter
USC started on its 25-yard line.
Austin Jones ran up the middle for 11 yards.
Caleb Williams then passed to Michael Jackson III for a gain of four yards.
Williams passed to Zachariah Branch for two yards.
On third-and-four at the USC 42, Williams scrambled for a 13-yard gain.
On the next play, MarShawn Lloyd overpowered the Utah defense and ran for a 45-yard touchdown. Denis Lynch hit the extra point to tie the game.
Utah quickly scores
No. 14 Utah 7, No. 18 USC 0, 13:48 left in the first quarter
Utah started on its 25-yard line after opting not to return Denis Lynch’s kickoff.
Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed for 13 yards and again for four yards out of the shotgun formation.
Bryson Barnes then tossed a short pass to Sione Vaki, who turned upfield and raced through USC’s defense for a 53-yard touchdown. With the extra point, took an early 7-0 lead. The Trojans did not return the ensuing kickoff.
And we’re off ...
USC kicked off to Utah and there was no return. We’re under way.
USC tweaks starting offensive line
After giving up six sacks to Notre Dame, USC switched up its offensive line by moving right guard Jarrett Kingston to right tackle and putting Mason Murphy at right guard. Kingston, a transfer from Washington State, started 16 games at left guard for the Cougars and 10 at left tackle.
Michael Tarquin, who started at right tackle previously, was bumped to the second unit.
USC shorthanded in secondary against Utah
Safety Max Williams and cornerback Jacobe Covington are not participating in warm-ups as USC prepares to face Utah at the Coliseum, leaving the Trojans shorthanded in the secondary against the Utes.
Williams suffered a leg injury early during last week’s game against Notre Dame. With the redshirt senior out, Bryson Shaw and Zion Branch are in line for larger roles.
Covington suffered an undisclosed injury against Arizona and will miss his second consecutive game.
Utah is also suffering from injuries, mainly to quarterback Cameron Rising, who has not played all season since tearing his ACL in the Rose Bowl.
Caleb Williams and USC hope first loss will be an emotional catalyst in Utah rematch
His first loss at USC, almost exactly one year ago, hit Caleb Williams like an emotional haymaker. The quarterback carried the Trojans all the way to the brink, conjuring whatever magic he could to extend USC’s spotless start to the season. But it wasn’t enough. Utah slipped past USC on a late two-point conversion, a devastating dagger to the Trojans.
Williams left the field that night in Salt Lake City with tears in his eyes and a fire in his gut, convinced it could be a catalyst.
“I hate losing,” he said, bleary-eyed. “I really, really hate it.”
So through the rest of October and November, Williams simply didn’t allow USC to lose. The Trojans went on a five-game win streak, while Williams went absolutely nuclear, scoring 22 touchdowns and locking up the Heisman Trophy in the process. It wasn’t until the Trojans got a rematch with Utah in the Pac-12 title game that Williams felt the sting of defeat again.
USC fans better get ready for a lengthy Lincoln Riley rebuilding project
It’s going to take a long time — especially when calculated in USC years. How long did it take with Pete Carroll? Two to win a major bowl game, three to win a national championship.
Lincoln Riley’s Trojans spelled it out clearly Saturday night during their meek little showing in South Bend, Ind. They are not going to break through this season or next, their first playing a schedule full of brawny, stubborn Midwestern teams that have all been losing to USC in Rose Bowls for generations and are thirsty for revenge.
48-20? Clay Helton’s final parting gift is that Saturday wasn’t the worst defeat the Trojans have experienced at the hands of the Fighting Irish in recent years (Notre Dame won 49-14 in 2017). Regardless, for the last few weeks, USC has looked just as clueless and poorly prepared as it was under Helton.
USC’s Mason Cobb will help dig a grave for his grandfather, who taught him how to work
Paul Haws was a hard-working cowboy. His grandson is a warrior.
Mason Cobb got his mentality from his grandfather, and after Haws died Friday at the age of 90, USC’s senior linebacker is carrying on the family’s hard-working legacy as he anchors the Trojans defense.
“He’s a soldier, man,” Cobb said Tuesday after practice. “An OG, man. … He worked until his last breath.”
A day after Haws’ death, Cobb took the field at Notre Dame, honoring his grandfather with five tackles in the rivalry game. Cobb will return home to Utah for the funeral service Thursday before the No. 18 Trojans (6-1, 4-0 Pac-12) host No. 14 Utah (5-1, 2-1) on Saturday. The family, including Cobb, will be tasked with digging Haws’ grave, as stipulated in his will. No machines allowed.
“And it’s not no grass,” Cobb added. “It’s like gravel and boulders.”
Looking back at the top five Pac-12 football games between USC and Utah
With USC playing in its final season in the Pac-12, The Times is revisiting the top five games in the history of each conference series. This week: USC-Utah.
Sept. 10, 2011: USC 23, Utah 14
The first weekend of Pac-12 play started with a bang. In the expanded conference’s inaugural week of games, USC’s Matt Kalil blocked Utah’s potential game-tying field goal as time expired.
Torin Harris returned it for a touchdown, but the score initially was waved off because of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when most of the USC bench spilled onto the field in celebration.
USC vs. Utah five things to watch: Trojans plan to ‘attack it harder’
Behind closed gates and high walls, everything looks great for USC. Emboldened by their first loss of the year, the Trojans returned to the practice field with “a little more edge,” offensive lineman Jonah Monheim said, “a little more fire.”
But Monheim knows just being the team that practices well when no one is around to see it won’t make noise on game day.
“When the results aren’t there, it doesn’t really matter how [practice] went,” the redshirt junior said. “You gotta change it, you gotta attack it harder, do it better, dig deeper.”
After weeks of declining game-day performances culminated in an embarrassing loss to rival Notre Dame, No. 18 USC (6-1, 4-0 Pac-12) will try to steady its season against No. 14 Utah.