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The USC Trojans' defense struggled in their loss to the Utah Utes, giving up 16.8 yards per completion to Bryson Barnes. Despite limiting the Utes' ground game and sacking the quarterback multiple times, the Trojans couldn't contain Barnes, resulting in their defeat. The game highlighted the defensive weaknesses of USC, raising concerns for their future performances.
Revisiting my Three Keys to Victory for #USC vs. #Utah. The Trojans gave up more than two sacks, Zachariah Branch didn't get many offensive touches and the defense limited the Utes ground game but then gave up 16.8 yards per completion to Bryson Barnes. https://t.co/Jo1SX0Iq6F https://t.co/3wQVzImcaR
Bryson Barnes wasn’t about to let his pick six, after a great performance, ruin the game. He stepped up, got Utah into FG territory, and Cole Becker finished the job with a 38-yard game-winner. Utah 34 | USC 32
USC getting a defensive stop when it was facing desperation and then giving up a game-winning drive would be the funniest possible way to lose this game.
But now USC may have scored too soon.
Just an electric return there from USC's Zachariah Branch, who has USC starting a drive in the red zone. USC trails 31-26.
Oh my god, Zachariah Branch. His punt return has USC within striking distance with 1:52 remaining.
Zachariah Branch takes the punt all the way back to the Utah 13. Wow.
It’s fine, USC defense will get the ball back with plenty of time.
So now USC’s defense is going to need a stop to win this game. Let’s see how this one goes.
Hell of a FG drive by Utah to push the lead to 31-23 in the fourth.
Cole Becker, 33 FG. Utah 31, USC 23 at 8:24 of the fourth quarter.
Sione Vaki has 212 total yards (receiving and rushing) on his own. USC has 119 rushing yards as a team and only 203 passing yards.
Sione Vaki up to 211 total yards on 13 touches tonight.
Just when USC's offense needed to wake up, MarShawn Lloyd fumbles to give Utah the ball back.
MarShawn Lloyd fumbles, and USC squanders a critical opportunity. Utah ball.
Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes continues to pick apart USC’s defense. He throws his second TD to cap a 9-play drive for Utah, which takes a 21-14 lead on USC.
Bryson Barnes connects on a 6-yard pass to Landen King for the TD Utah 21 | USC 14 3Q | 7:30
USC's defense getting called for a blindside block while giving up another 30-yard run.
#Utah safety Sione Vaki is averaging over 25 yards per offensive touch. Crazy.
I'm confused. USC called for a blindside block on defense.
They just called an illegal block … on USC’s defense
#USC pass rush almost gets there but Barnes finds Vaki for a huge gain over the middle. Somehow the Trojans were called for an illegal block on a Utah offensive play? Not sure how that happened.
Wow. Doesn’t get much easier than that for Utah. Bryson Barnes finds Sione Vaki for a 53-yard TD on his first pass of the game. Maybe Utah doesn’t need Cam Rising after all. Utah leads USC, 7-0, just 1:16 into the game.
USC’s defense is remarkable
Three plays, #Utah finds the endzone. Safety Sione Vaki with the 53-yard wheel route for the TD.