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No. 20 USC (3-0) led from start to finish as the Trojans cruised to a 33-17 victory over Utah (0-1) Saturday night at Rice Eccles Stadium.
USC Quarterback Kedon Slovis completed 24-of-35 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns as the Trojans dominated the line of scrimmage in a game that was never really that close.
Utah held USC to just 357 yards of total offense, while the Utes managed just 327 yards themselves, with a chunk of that coming late in the game. It didn’t help either that Utah had five turnovers in the game compared to just two for the Trojans.
After sending seven players to the NFL, there was a lot of questions for Utah heading into Saturdays’ showdown against USC. The biggest question was who was going to start at quarterback.
Ute fans got their answer as Cam Rising started the game, but he didn’t finish. The sophomore quarterback, who transferred form Texas, beat out South Carolina transfer Jake Bentley and senior Drew Lisk for the starting QB job.
Death, Taxes… and Utah’s DEFENSE!! 🔥🔥🔥#Utes #GoUtes #UBoyz #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/tUkrqFxBIw
— GoUtahUtes (@UtahUteFans) November 22, 2020
Utah scoring defensive touchdowns gives me PTSD.
— tanner mangum (@tannermangum) November 22, 2020
Unfortunately, Rising didn’t even finish the first half as he was injured near the start of the second quarter when he was tripped sacked by USC’s Marlon Tuipulotu. Rising’s stat line for the game was 3-of-6 for 45 yards, an interception and a fumble.
Bentley finished the game, however, the senior didn’t look much better as he threw for just 171 yards and a touchdown. He also threw two interceptions and couldn’t get the offense moving for much of the game.
It was Utah’s defense that got the first touchdown on the night when Nephi Sewell took a fumble to the house to tie the score at 10-10 in the second quarter.
The game got so ugly, that even the cameras couldn’t watch as ESPN’s cameras went out in the third quarter for an extended period of time. ESPN play-by-play announcer Dave Flemming and analyst Rod Gilmore had to give the play-by-by from their phones, most likely the ESPN gamecast. And yes, Twitter had a field day with it.
On a bright spot, freshman running back Ty Jordan looked like the real deal as he had seven carries for 32 yards. The freshman was even running over guys in what was his first collegiate game.
Here’s a look at how the media, fans and players reacted after the game:
USC is going to be 3-0. Every opponent to date has been playing its season opener. Clay Helton luck is the best luck.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 22, 2020
Jake Bentley now leads the team in rushing and Nephi Sewell has our touchdown. Everything is drunk.
— Tanner Martin (@TanMart03) November 22, 2020
My biggest issue tonight? Utah's pass pro. RBs, OL, TEs and QB all responsible for this issue tonight. It's been unacceptable.
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) November 22, 2020
Utah’s offense has got to get it Together
— Patrick Kinahan (@PKKinahan) November 22, 2020
Utah: you take it
USC: No, YOU take it
Utah: I insist, you take it
UDC: No no no, after you pic.twitter.com/OcC4D7nC2p
— Austin Horton (@austinhorton) November 22, 2020
With the O-Line, first game, gotta take time to get in the groove. With the subbing, I dislike, hard to get a rhythm going. https://t.co/yvD3iRGwzA
— Kenneth Goobie Scott (@Kscott_2) November 22, 2020
Whittingham is #GivingThanks for that contract extension, before the Utes played a game this season.
— Kung Fu Kevy (@DJ_Kevy_Kev) November 22, 2020
Somehow there is no video feed
Announcers are just reading the Gamecast play-by-play pic.twitter.com/KvXHd8OvT7
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) November 22, 2020
I think right now, Dave Flemming and Rod Gilmore are just like you and me, refreshing the ESPN GameCast.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 22, 2020
USC-Utah: Remote announcing crew with no video from game site = broadcast nightmare. Godspeed @RodGilmore and @flemmingdave
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 22, 2020
I think you mean #Pac12inthedark
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 22, 2020
No fans in the stands.
No functioning TV cameras.HOW DO WE KNOW THE GAME IS EVEN HAPPENING?
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 22, 2020
With these technical difficulties I can’t tell the difference… #USCvsUTAH
— Jake Olson (@JakeOlson61) November 22, 2020
I’m watching a screen of two guys analyzing a game from their own basements. We can’t make this up…..
— Steve Tate (@tate28) November 22, 2020
Utah Football currently doesn’t have a ready QB, stadium locker rooms, any experience on D, or operating TV cameras. 2020 is the twilight zone.
— Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) November 22, 2020
To be fair, I don't ever remember pac12 networks losing their camera feed pic.twitter.com/vKXsp2PcnW
— 2024 Big12 Champs (@utes_pac12) November 22, 2020
ESPN sucks and all, we can agree on that. That being said, Utah has had to replace so many starters from last year……this team is young and will get better. Stay patient Utah fans.
— Steve Tate (@tate28) November 22, 2020
Utah is genuinely playing a football game. pic.twitter.com/ka3BpmnpM8
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 22, 2020
Honestly, sucks to be losing but I’m just happy to watch Utah football 🙏
— Rosscoe (@TheRealRosscoe) November 22, 2020
I told you all to have low expectations for this season earlier. I did not realize they would be this low…stay positive. #FreeTheCameras
— Tom Hackett (@TomCantHackett) November 22, 2020
I don't want to play BYU
— attempted chemistry (@AttemptedChem) November 21, 2020
Well our offense has effectively socially distanced from the end zone today.
— The Big XVI Ute (@SigmaUte) November 22, 2020
— UteHub.com – Utah Utes community – get the app! (@Ute_Hub) November 22, 2020
Welp, I’m good to call it quits on 2020. 🍻 Lets move on.
— J.D. Jorgensen (@jorgensenjd) November 22, 2020
Normally I can’t fall asleep for hours after these games. Won’t be a problem tonight
— KiYi (@Uteman_forever) November 22, 2020
Friendly reminder that you can’t brag about @Utah_Football being the best player development program in the country and then expect them to be good after losing 80% of starters without giving them time to develop players. These young bucks will be good in 2022.
— Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) November 22, 2020
Welp, we have a lot of questions that needs answers. Luckily not fast.
— Stevenson Sylvester (@SSylvester55) November 22, 2020
Utah has as many turnovers as Zach Wilson had TD’s
— Bradley Pilkington (@bpilk10) November 22, 2020
I know it’s our first game but I’m still not over that throw by Bentley? A three year starter in the SEC should never make that pass. That was awful.
— JeepingUte (@JeepingUte) November 22, 2020
That was maybe the worst pass I’ve ever seen.
— WrigleyvilleUte (@jhallito) November 22, 2020
I don’t know who they were trying to fool but it had to of been obvious that Rising was the clear starter. Bentley can’t throw a deep ball to save his life. That was rough
— j (@thiz_justin) November 22, 2020
And that’s why he didn’t win the starting job! That is the tweet! Thank you for coming to my ted talk!
— J-Robinson (@JoshR7119) November 22, 2020
I'm glad you guys are finally using protection down there! https://t.co/O1d8ZsZayz
— Septa Rhae (@septarhaenyra) November 22, 2020
Check out (GoUtahUtes.com) to find all the latest news about the Utes!
