Stanford, USC to play rematch game at Pac-12 Championship

But this is a resurgent Trojans team with a different attitude and style, playing for a chance to return to the Rose Bowl for the first time in seven seasons. Davis said. “Coach Helton did a great job rounding dudes up, and the senior leaders did a great job as well, and we finished the season strong”. “I think about the seniors and the rollercoaster ride they have gone through”. USC last won a Pac-12 title in 2008, but has never won a divisional title since divisions were formed prior to the 2011 season.

Helton said his focus this week will be on trying “to out-rush our opponent and not turn the ball over. We just had to put it together and, you know, beat butt”.

“I know when the team’s down deep like that’s it going to be a quick punt”, Jackson said.

After back-to-back three-and-outs by both teams, the Trojans got on the board first thanks to a 30-yard field goal by Alex Wood. He followed USC teammate Claude Pelon to the feet of Josh Rosen, and Pelon had already separated the ball and had it sitting up nicely for him.

Wood kicked another field goal to narrow the margin to 14-13 and then a breathtaking 42-yard punt return for a touchdown by sophomore Adoree’ Jackson gave USC the halftime lead at 20-13.

When the Trojans needed one last first down to clinch a victory against California, Davis got the call and converted. “They gave us a mouthful at practice on Monday”, Pelon said. “Coach Helton has all the confidence in me. He always gets us going”.

Helton said starting center Khaliel Rodgers suffered a high ankle sprain early in the game. Kessler’s statistics were not eye-popping.

“You’re going to have rough times”, Marshall said. “And we exhibited that today”.

It could play out in the Rose Bowl. Helton added to his resume by improving to 5-2 since taking over from Steve Sarkisian, who was sacked two days after USC’s loss to Washington.

UCLA’s next game will be in a bowl game either the Royal Purple Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Sun Bowl or Las Vegas Bowl. “Coach Helton has all the confidence in me and that makes me play that much harder”.

And next week, they’ll try to up the ante as the best team in the Pac-12. USC has the opportunity to crash the Cardinal’s party if they can come up with a victory this upcoming weekend at Levi Stadium. It’s disappointing. It’s like a bad dream, really. “No shots at them at all, we just didn’t execute like we did, like we should have”.

Rosen continued to show that he could develop into one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. Rosen’s interception marked his first in 245 passes.

Moments later, Marshall picked off a short throw for Rosen’s first interception in 245 passes since the Stanford game, the longest interception-free streak in the FBS. Marshall later intercepted a second pass.

“We’ve played against these same guys for three years”, Townsend said. “All three of us (outside hitters) were just on all cylinders”.

Jim Mora stood outside the visitors’ locker room in the Coliseum tunnel to console UCLA players Saturday, a stark contrast from the jubilant scene two years ago when he bellowed to anyone within earshot, “We own this town”. But the Bruins were worn down and shut out in the fourth quarter by a bruising USC offensive line that paved the way for 235 rushing yards.

USC is 5-2 since Helton took over and installed a power-running game that has at times featured steady senior Tre Madden and flashy freshman Ronald Jones II.

It is no longer a debate about who dominates the city of Angels, as USC rocked the Bruins Saturday afternoon in the Coliseum. The junior tailback punched the ball in from one-yard out for his second score of the game.

Fast-forward through eight more wins and a heart-breaking loss to OR, and Shaw is still preaching a message of belief to his team.