Trojans’ Hayes Pullard says he will learn from mistake on final play

USC linebacker Hayes Pullard will learn from the mistake.

The senior was in position to intercept or break up the game-winning Hail Mary pass that Arizona State receiver Jaelen Strong caught against the Trojans.

“I made a mistake on not just jumping and going after it and getting it like I’m supposed to,” Pullard said Wednesday. “Everybody has that play that they just don’t think it out…. You’ve just got to be an athlete and go after the ball sometimes.”

Pullard said he did not see Strong during the play until the receiver caught the pass.

But he saw it unfold on tape this week.

“He was right in front of me,” Pullard said, “but I was obviously looking up at the ball so I didn’t see it.”

No other USC players moved to the ball or attempted to knock down the pass. Pullard said he “took responsibility.”

“You’ve got to grow from it,” he said. “You’ve got to learn from the situation and just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”