Whew.
USC was leading Cal 34-14 at the start of the fourth quarter, it was reasonable to think the Trojans would have a smooth, drama-free conclusion to their night, the way we saw for much of the first half of the season.
Remember the first half of the season? USC struggled for two and a half quarters but then straightened things out in the final 20 minutes of the game on defense. USC didn’t crush teams, but it did enter the final five to seven minutes with a 15- to 18-point lead and had a sufficient comfort zone.
This is what didn’t happen against Cal.
The Trojans were carved up for 21 fourth-quarter points. They had to recover an onside kick and convert a 3rd and 5 to win.
The offense saved the day.
Take a look at what Caleb Williams, Tahj Washington, and Michael Jackson III did to carry this team over the top and rescue the defense: