When USC and Utah met earlier this year, it was a classicThe Utes won on a last-minute two-point conversion.
Friday also had the same final result, which was confirmed the utes Just duke it out for the Trojans this year.
11th-ranked Utes knocked down No. 4 USC47–24, in the Pac-12 Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
A USC loss would likely knock them out of the College Football Playoff, depending on the results of the two conference championship games this weekend.
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Money Park #10 of the Utah Utes celebrates with a 57-yard touchdown score during the third quarter of the Pac-12 Championship against the USC Trojans on December 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(David Baker / Getty Images)
The Trojans came out the gate firing, and Heisman Favorite Caleb Williams Did what Caleb Williams does. On back-to-back plays, he found Tahj Washington for 50 yards and then a two-yard score, putting USC up 7–0. The Utes answered with a field goal, but USC answered right back with another touchdown, this one by Rallick Brown from three yards out with a 59-yard rush gain for Williams on the second play of the drive. . USC forced a three-and-out early in the second quarter and scored a field goal.
USC then recovered a Utah fumble, but turned the ball over on downs, which was a minor upset for the Utes. They responded with an 11-play, 63-yard drive that ended in an eight-yard rushing touchdown for Jacqueen Jackson, making it a seven-point game with 3:55 to go in the second. . The Utes forced the Trojans to punt, and they were able to manage a two-minute drill drive that ended with Cameron Rising running back Jaylen Dixon for the game-tying touchdown with just two ticks on the clock in the half. .
After Utah and USC exchanged punts to start the second half, the Utes had their biggest game of the season. On 3rd and 19 from their own 43, Rising skewered Money Parks, and after breaking a tackle, he ran out and took it home, giving Utah a 24-yard lead after trailing by two touchdowns. Got a lead of -17.
In the third quarter, cameras caught Williams limping on the sidelines, and although backup Miller Moss was seen throwing, he was on the field for the Trojans’ third drive of the third quarter. He was clearly limited, as the Trojans had only 12 consecutive third-and-outs to start the half all season.
Ja’Quinden Jackson #3 of the Utah Utes rushes the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter of the Pac-12 Championship football game against the USC Trojans at Elegant Stadium on December 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Alika Jenner / Getty Images)
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The Utes reached USC’s 17-yard line and faced 4th and 3 early in the fourth quarter, but opted for a field goal to take a 10-point lead.
Williams ran for a first down on his ensuing drive, but he was still clearly uncomfortable, so he decided to do it with his hand. They drove 57 yards on the drive, and Mario Williams found the end zone to bring the Trojans within three with 10:52 remaining.
No worries for the Utes though – tight end Thomas Yasmin ran his way for a 60-yard touchdown run to put Utah up 10.
On their next drive, USC faced fourth-and-3 from their 32 and left the offense on the field. Avoiding the pressure and rolling out right, Williams launched to an open Jordan Addison for a 48-yard gain. But two plays later, Williams threw his fourth interception of the season at possibly the worst possible time.
The Utes took over at their own 39 with 6:57 to go. On third down and second, Rising handed the ball to Jackson, and he ran 53 yards for the score, putting Utah up 40–24 (the PAT was missed after Utah was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct, supported them). For good measure, Utah recovered a USC fumble and responded with a 23-yard Micah Bernard touchdown run.
With 12:08 left in the second quarter, the Utes were down 17–3. After that, they routed USC 44–7.
Rising completed 22 of his 34 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns—there were only six catches between Parks and Yasmin, but they had 169 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson finished with 105 rushing yards on 13 carries, two of them touchdowns.
Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes looks to throw a pass during the 2nd quarter against the USC Trojans in the Pac-12 Championship at Allegiant Stadium on December 2, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nev.
(David Baker / Getty Images)
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USC was the first team, but their loss paves the way for No. 5 Ohio State to advance and continue their season. It’s safe to say the Trojans are rooting for Purdue to beat No. 2 Michigan in the Big Ten Championship on Saturday and/or No. 3 TCU to lose to No. 10 Kansas State in the Big 12 title game.
Who knows, though, if the committee will leave them with losing one, or even both, because No. 6 Alabama is also waiting.
For Utah, a win likely won’t be enough to put them in the CFP, but assuming they’ll be the Pac-12 champions out of the playoffs, they’ll head to the Rose Bowl on January 2 and await their Big 10 opponent. ,
And all USC can do is sit back, relax and hope.