USC rues sloppy loss to UCLA as ‘epitome’ of ’23

• Paolo Uggetti, ESPNNov 18, 2023, 09:50 PM ET

LOS ANGELES– As UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond and Bruins players dragged the Victory Bell through the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum tunnel following a dominant 38-20 triumph over their crosstown rivals Saturday, USC and head coach Lincoln Riley found themselves staring at a bitter end to their frustrating season.The Trojans

losing 5 of their final 6 regular-season games would have appeared abstruse when they began the season as the sixth-ranked team in the country. But as they looked for responses following a 7-5 project, there was a lot of blame to walk around.

“I have actually clearly not done a sufficient task in the 2nd half of the season to get this group prepared,” Riley said. “I have actually got to do a far better job.”

In the finale, USC’s performance was emblematic of its season-long battles. With little on the line except the pride of beating their competitors, the Trojans once again displayed bad protective play, sloppy mistakes and an irregular offense that couldn’t be conserved even by reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams.

“We simply didn’t carry out,” wide receiver Tahj Washington said. “We’re simply leaving a lot out there. That’s just been an epitome of what it’s been lately.”

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Williams, a junior who is most likely headed to the NFL as the presumptive No. 1 pick, elected not to speak to the media Saturday.

“He came here and took a chance on this location and took a chance on belonging of rebooting this program and getting it going,” Riley said. “He’s a special player, unique rival, and undoubtedly we’ll see what goes on from there.”

Williams, who tossed for 386 backyards, 1 goal and 1 interception, stated earlier this week that he would take the Thanksgiving break to contemplate any future choices. All season, he struggled to match the magic of his 2022 campaign behind an offensive line that took an action back and permitted 35 sacks, consisting of four against UCLA.

“It’s just extremely disappointing to complete in this manner with, certainly, how well we started the season,” Riley said.USC’s 6-0 start is a distant memory in a season that was marked by close losses and unconvincing victories. The defense’s historic turnover margin last season might not be reproduced, as the system became one of the worst in the nation, leading to organizer Alex Grinch’s firing.Grinch’s departure

did not repair much. The Trojans allowed 38 indicate a UCLA offense that had actually scored 45 total points in its three previous games.” There’s so much skill in the community,

so you see it every day simply being around each other,” security Jaylin Smith said.”However it is a game of execution and like I stated, the other team carries out better, then that’s the result.”Riley restated his dissatisfaction in the way the season took place, but also stated the group was “used down emotionally”from its previous nine games– all of which were won or lost by less than 20 points. “The truth is, you play better and you coach much better, then you’re not in that numerous [close video games],”Riley said. “It draws today. It harms today, however I have actually never been more inspired and had more of a fire in my stubborn belly than I do today. “While Riley did not specify whether USC will make any other personnel or strategic changes before next season, when the Trojans relocate to the Big Ten, he acknowledged the need for development in spite of last season’s turn-around. “I’m going to fight my ass off in every way to make sure this thing gets to where it needs to be.

“Riley said.” Everyone desires the tidy, smooth roadway to the top. That’s for the motion pictures, male. The roadway to the top is jagged. It’s going to take its different twists and turns, especially coming from where this was.”