Cal vs. USC Trojans Football Insta-Recap & Rate the Game: Bears Gift the Trojans a 50-49 Victory
Cal vs. USC Trojans Football Insta-Recap & Rate the Game: Bears Gift the Trojans a 50-49 Victory
USC scored 20 points from California's four turnovers
The California Golden Bears (3-5, 1-4 Pac-12) lost to the No. 24 USC Trojans (7-2, 5-1 Pac-12) in a 49-50 nail-biter.
California quarterback Fernando Mendoza found first-year running back Jaivian Thomas on a short route to the left on third-and-nine with 1:04 remaining in the game. The 13-yard touchdown reception closed the Golden Bears’ deficit to 49-50, which would allow the home team to tie the game with the point-after.
Instead, California head coach Justin Wilcox opted for a two-point conversion in an attempt to steal the game.
Mendoza struggled to find a teammate in the end zone, and California’s upset bid failed.
The Golden Bears kept the Trojans honest, leading in the second and third quarters. California out-gained USC 527 yards to 497 but gave away four turnovers, which the Trojans converted into 20 points.
Was “processing” this fairly well. Quietly going thru my Saturday household tasks with soothing focus music. Then, out of no where I blurted out a “fu’’ing Wilcox!”
Going for 2 with a minute left - might as well go for 2 in the 3rd quarter.
Decisions that are absolute head scratchers at the time are bad, plain and simple. Hindsight is not needed.