December 19, 2020 in Football, Sports
Slovis fell victim to the pressure applied by Oregon’s defensive front, throwing three interceptions and suffering three sacks throughout the game. (James Wolfe | Daily Trojan)
The No. 13 Trojans lost to the Oregon Ducks in the Pac-12 Championship Game Friday by a score of 31-24. The Trojans’ record now falls to 5-1 with this marking their first loss of the season.
It was a game of catch-up from the start for USC. Sophomore quarterback Kedon Slovis threw an interception to senior cornerback Lenoir Deommodore on USC’s first drive to put the Ducks in the red zone. Three plays later, the Ducks scored.
FAIRFIELD-SUISUN, CALIFORNIA
USC has one more obstacle to duck against Oregon in Pac-12 title game [Los Angeles Times :: BC-FBC-USC-OREGON:LA]
LOS ANGELES All it would take was one ill-timed mistake. An unfortunate bounce against Arizona State. A single incompletion on a decisive drive at Arizona. A late turnover in Salt Lake City. An inopportune audible against UCLA. Any number of things could’ve turned the tide on a tumultuous and spellbinding season spent tiptoeing the thin line between disastrous and miraculous.
Clay Helton understood how slim that margin for error would be back in early October, just as USC was about to embark on its pandemic-altered campaign.
Pac-12 Championship Game Prediction
The Pac-12 Championship Game will take place in L.A. on Friday night when No. 13 USC takes on Oregon at 8:00 p.m. ET. With the Trojans only laying a field goal as a home favorite, will USC cover versus the Ducks or is Oregon the better play as the underdog?
Game Snapshot
8:00 p.m. ET, Friday, December 18, 2020
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
TV: FOX
Oregon redshirt sophomore
TE Spencer Webb (undisclosed) and WR Devon Williams (undisclosed) will play in the Pac 12 Championship against USC on Friday. Webb (6 6/240) has not played in a game yet this season, as the Oregon tight end position has experienced significant attrition in 2020. Last year he caught 18 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns and should take on a prominent role in the offense once he is able to return. Williams (6 5/205) leads Oregon in receiving, catching 13 passes for 264 yards, a 20.3 YPC and two touchdowns. He suffered an injury against Oregon State o
No. 13 USC RB Malepeai unlikely to play in Pac-12 title game
By GREG BEACHAMDecember 16, 2020 GMT
LOS ANGELES (AP) Leading rusher Vavae Malepeai is unlikely to play for No. 13 Southern California in the Pac-12 championship game against Oregon on Friday night.
USC coach Clay Helton said Wednesday that Malepeai sprained a ligament in his knee during the unbeaten Trojans’ 43-38 victory over UCLA last weekend.
“Vavae is probably not playing in this game,” Helton said. “He has not practiced this week. Does not look good for the game going in.”
USC (5-0) likely will have to play for its third win in 13 days without the senior tailback, who leads the Trojans with 238 yards and three touchdowns this season. Malepeai rushed for a season-high 110 yards against the Bruins, but sprained the medial collateral ligament in his knee late in the game.
December 16, 2020 in Football, Sports
With redshirt senior running back Vavae Malepeai likely out for Friday’s game, redshirt sophomore Markese Stepp is expected to step up in the running game. (James Wolfe | Daily Trojan)
Having completed an undefeated regular season, the No. 13 USC Trojans will face the Oregon Ducks (3-2) in the Pac-12 Championship Game at 5 p.m. on Friday at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
In one of the most unorthodox Pac-12 seasons to date, a five-win USC team will face three-win Oregon, which is replacing Washington in the championship game. The Huskies were unable to field 53 scholarship players due to coronavirus cases and were forced to withdraw from the game Monday.