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"Embarrassing" was the word tweeted Matt Leinart, former USC quarterback and winner of the Heisman Trophy, in the Trojans match against his rival UCLA on Saturday.
This word could have applied to a multitude of things, from the botched game of the Trojans to their downfall in the last weeks of the season to the direction that the program has taken since the famous days of wrestling for the national title with Leinart and Reggie led by Pete Carroll Bush torments the defenses every week.
Whatever the reason, USC is now at risk of staying home during the petanque season after a 34-27 loss to UCLA, the first defeat of its school against rivals Crosstown since 2014 and its first defeat against an opponent with eight or more losses since the 1960 season. Now, the Trojans must beat Notre Dame, the hope of the series, next Saturday in Los Angeles, to avoid an early end of season.
When head coach Clay Helton withdrew the interim tag from his former athletics director, Pat Haden, in November 2015, the move was not celebrated to perfection in the realm of Troy. Helton was promoted offensive coordinator after Steve Sarkisian took a leave and was sacked.
Helton started this season with a starting quarterback role for real freshman JT Daniels, who has played well at times. They were manipulated by Stanford and exploded in Texas, before temporarily straightening the ship by winning three straight wins. But last month was an indictment of the current state of the program, with the most embarrassing setbacks of the past two weeks with a 15-14 home defeat against Cal, who broke a string of 14 consecutive victories of the USC in the rivalry. Saturday's loss to the Bruins.
UCLA itself is currently experiencing a transition with its freshman head coach Chip Kelly, who will enter the 12th week on average with 22 points per game. Combine this with a porous defense that yields nearly six meters per race, and you'll get two wins in your first 10 games.
UCLA sprinted to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter after quarterback Wilton Speight made it four yards.Ut Daniels' arm helped USC resume the match and lead two assists: a 44-yard touchdown for Amon-Ra St. Brown and a 45-yard touchdown for Velus Jones.
After the Trojans took the lead 27-21, UCLA turned running back Joshua Kelley, who finished with 40 runs for 289 yards and two touchdowns. His 55 yards through the USC defense gave the Bruins the advantage.
Daniels had 337 yards with two touchdowns, but he also had two interceptions, which earned him 10 points. His last choice led UCLA to score 48 batting goals in the fourth quarter, forcing the Trojans to play for a decisive touchdown in their last race. The fourth Daniels pitch with 37 seconds remaining is incomplete, sending the powder blue sideline in a rowdy celebration.
Helton won the Rose Bowl, a Pac-12 title and a 32-16 record in his time as head coach. This may be sufficient for some programs, but not for USC.
Helton has signed a contract extension to keep him in school until 2023, after leading the USC's first conference title since 2008 last season. It remains to be seen what current sports director Lynn Swann is doing as Helton's calls to work become stronger.
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