Utah has a lead over USC. There is a time and a place for this.
The only blemish in USC's 11 win regular season was a one point loss to Utah. The USC had an opportunity to make their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in Lincoln Riley's first season as head coach thanks to the Pac-12's decision to turn its championship game into a contest between its two best teams.
On Friday night in Vegas, Utah played a game that proved it has USC's number this year.
The Utes scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to beat USC and win their second-consecutive conference title.
The Utahs' slow start didn't stop them from dominating the game.
It all fell apart quickly for USC. Williams didn't look the same after he pulled off a 59-yard run that had him gasping for air and walking gingerly.
Lincoln Riley said that Williams "popped" his leg on that run.
I asked him if he was 50 percent and he said no. Riley spoke. He was not close to half. He wouldn't allow me to take him out. I was going to take him out at the end.
Riley said the performance was one of the gutsiest he had ever seen. Williams said that his injury felt like a rubber band.
Williams felt it throughout the rest of the game. Kobe said the game is bigger than what you are feeling.
Utah was able to tie the game at 17 at the end of the first half, thanks to a pair of touchdown drives by the quarterback.
Williams was injured in the second half. The quarterback was favoring his left side. Williams wasn't the player that led one of the most potent offenses in the country anymore.
Williams was a little hesitant during the second half. Williams was on the sideline when the USC defense was on the field. The backup quarterback, Miller Moss, grabbed his helmet and warmed up.
Having been unable to establish the run early, a hobbled Williams looked frozen in the pocket, and it all but took away USC's scoring prowess. Four times, Williams was sacked and his throws lacked accuracy and strength.
The Utes were able to take advantage of the situation. They went to their most reliable option against the USC defense: tight ends. After USC cut it to three in the fourth quarter, the lead was back to 10 thanks to a 60-yard touchdown pass from rising to yasmin.
He had over 300 yards in the air to six different people. The senior out of California was the most valuable player. The Utes out scored and outgained the USC thanks to Rising. Utah had 533 total yards of offense, while USC had 411.
The result was all but set in stone when Ja'Quinden Jackson ran for a 53-yard touchdown. USC was left with not just two losses to the same team, but a hurt quarterback and no title to show for their improvement, as the Utes were returning to the Rose Bowl.
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