USC Trojans Get Revenge over Rival UCLA, Are Viable Threat to Win Pac 12 Title

In early October, Southern California was a team in serious crisis. Following a 17-12 home loss to a very average Washington team, the Trojans, a sexy preseason College Football Playoff pick, were 3-2 and had looked ugly doing so.

Knowing what we know now, athletic director Pat Haden's decision to fire Steve Sarkisian in the wake of the former coach's personal alcohol-related issues was the best thing that could have happened to the program. Under interim head coach Clay Helton’s guidance, the Trojans have looked like one of the Pac-12’s best teams. Saturday’s 40-21 whipping of the cross-town rival UCLA Bruins was the Trojans’ fifth win in seven games since Sarkisian’s departure.

And if you think the Trojans aren’t a serious threat to win the Pac-12 title, you simply haven’t been paying attention.

Helton has brought much-needed stability to Southern California’s roster, and Saturday was just the latest sign that his team has bought into what he’s selling.

Under Jim Mora Jr.’s watch, UCLA had owned the Trojans, winning the past three meetings by an average of 16.3 points. Two of those defeats eliminated USC from contention for the Pac-12 South title.

Saturday, the Trojans finally got some revenge by completely controlling the second half. UCLA led 21-20 following Paul Perkins’ one-yard touchdown run with 8:58 remaining, but the Bruins wouldn’t score again.

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Rasheem Green’s 31-yard return of a Josh Rosen fumble for a touchdown gave Southern California the lead for good, and they ground out the rest with defense and a solid mix of Cody Kessler passing and Justin Davis running.

Following Perkins’ touchdown, Southern California outscored the Bruins 20-0 the rest of the way. Perkins had 95 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, but Davis was far better, carrying 25 times for 130 yards and setting up the Trojans’ final two scores.

For a program that has struggled to recover from NCAA sanctions connected to the Pete Carroll era and instability on the sideline (UCLA players faced their fourth different USC head coach in as many years Saturday), it was a special night.

“Imagine what these kids have gone through the last five years with sanctions and changing coaches,” Helton told ESPN’s Todd McShay afterward on the national telecast. “For them to be named Pac-12 South champions, I can’t tell you how proud I am of them. They’re not only great players but great people.”

Now, the Trojans get another chance at revenge on their way to a Pac-12 title. Pac-12 North champion Stanford stands in the way at Levi’s Stadium. The Cardinal won league titles in 2012 and 2013 and has re-taken its place as a league power this fall, led by Heisman candidate and national all-purpose yardage leader Christian McCaffrey.

Stanford defeated the Trojans 41-31 on Sept. 19, and McCaffrey rushed for 115 yards on 26 carries and added three receptions for 37 yards. USC’s front seven must prove it can contain him as well as it contained Perkins in the second half Saturday while also limiting steady senior quarterback Kevin Hogan.

That team that struggled against the Cardinal in mid-September is significantly improved, however. Its only losses are a 10-point defeat on the road at Notre Dame and a 48-28 defeat to an Oregon team that also defeated Stanford, 38-36.

The Trojans have the offensive talent with Kessler, Davis, wideout JuJu Schuster-Smith and do-everything cornerback/receiver Adoree’ Jackson to hang with Stanford and score plenty of points.

And they’ll certainly be motivated to play for Helton, who still hopes to convince Haden and SC officials that he’s worthy of taking over the head-coaching role full-time.

If you haven’t been paying attention to the Trojans over the past two months, now would be a good time to change that. They’re ready to make some noise.