The magic of USC’s return has run out against Oregon.
Kedon Slovis threw the third interception of the game with 2:47 for the end, because the Trojans no. 13 (5-1) fell 31-24 to Oregon (4-2) in the Pac-12 title game.
The interception came as Slovis hurried to his right and seemed to need to simply throw the ball. But instead of shooting the ball deep into the USC bench, he threw it along the sideline. This allowed Jamal Hill’s safety to play on the ball and ensure that his right foot was intercepted while still on the ground.
The interception was Hill’s second in the game.
However, Oregon’s attempt to run out of time after the election almost ended in disaster. Anthony Brown – entered the QB to run with the ball – dropped a second down and recovered it just before the USC players made it 1:19 to the end. If USC had recovered, the Trojans would have gotten the ball in Oregon long ago to score a touchdown.
Instead, the Trojans got the ball back with 23 seconds left and no timeout at their own 20. And USC could not get close to the final area due to lack of time.
Oregon goes back-to-back in Pac-12
Oregon ended USC’s undefeated season and won its second consecutive Pac-12 title in the process. Utah entered the 2019 title game in favor of Oregon and needed a victory to make the college football playoff. Instead, the Ducks won 37-15 and wiped out any hope of a Pac-12 team making the playoffs.
Oregon was again subordinated on Friday night, although USC was favored by only one goal on the field. And the chances of the Trojans making the playoffs were slim. USC was out of the top 10 as it won three of the top five games due to late comebacks.
This magic of return felt to be exhausted sooner rather than later. And it certainly expired on Friday night.
Oregon will likely go to the Fiesta Bowl as the Pac-12 champion, as the Rose Bowl will host a college football game. We’ll find out which bowl USC will go to on Sunday.
Second defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux was named MVP of the game. He wreaked havoc all night along Oregon’s defensive front.
Slovis again throws 3 picks against Oregon
USC woke up in a hole from the beginning. Slovis threw his first two interceptions in the first and third units of the USC game. These two interceptions led directly to Oregon touchdowns, while the Ducks jumped 14-0 in the first quarter.
While Slovis was fighting, McCoy also had a brutal drop, while USC tried to equalize the game. McCoy received a deep pass from Slovis to go straight through his hands with 3:41 for the final; four pieces before the closing interception of Hill’s game. If McCoy had caught the ball, USC would have been inside Oregon 10.
Friday night was the second game of three interceptions in Slovis’ career. The first came in 2019 against Oregon, when he threw three picks in a 57-32 loss to the Ducks.
Slovis finished the game 28-of-52 for 320 yards and two touchdowns, while USC struggled to roll the ball. Stephen Carr and Markese Stepp had 25 transports for 65 meters.
Oregon had only 243 meters of offense, but that’s because the ducks benefited from short fields in the first half. QB Tyler Shough was 8-of-15 for 91 yards and two touchdowns and an interception while Brown – a transfer from Boston College – threw two touchdowns in three completions.
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