The USC Trojans introduced the Utah Utes to the Pac-12 with a 17-14 victory that came down to the final play: a blocked field goal set up by some controversy. Let's walk back to that point.
Utah Vs. USC Final Score: Trojans Welcome Utes In 17-14 Thriller
Lane Kiffin attempted to put the game out of reach with about four minutes to go, sending quarterback Matt Barkley off the right side on a third-and-one keeper in Utes territory. A chop block was called on John Martinez, USC punted, and I don't remember ever seeing a penalty on a QB sneak. A third-down QB sneak.
The Utes had a chance to travel like the entire field to tie the game up, but that’s a long, long way to go against a defense full of superior talent on the road. Utah’s only option: punt and hope for the stop.
USC sent Marc Tyler into the line a few times, then handed the ball back over with about a minute left. There was some debate in the SB Nation news room about whether Jordan Wynn could throw the ball far enough for a scoring drive to even be possible.
Wynn got the Utes to midfield despite fleeing for his life on every snap, as he'd done for much of the evening. On fourth down, Wynn fired a high fastball to DeVonte Christopher that appeared to be spotted well short of how far the ball had actually advanced. Like an entire yard short.
The error was corrected, a field goal was attempted, it was blocked, and USC has won another silly game by the narrowest of margins.
Oh, and an unsportsmanlike penalty negated the touchdown USC scored by running back the blocked field goal. Something for everybody!
For more on the Trojans, check out at our USC blog Conquest Chronicles, and keep up with the Utes on our Utah blog Block U. Stick with us at SB Nation's college football news hub.
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