Los Angeles, CA – It had the feeling of a championship game even though it was only third week of the season for the Texas Longhorns and the USC Trojans on Saturday night prime time game.
Fitting the game had all suspense of the teams last meeting in 2006 Rose Bowl but this time it was Trojans defeating the Longhorns in double overtime field goal win 27-24.
The unlikely hero was freshman walk-on kicker Chase McGrath who had kicks from 31 yards with 2 seconds on clock to send game into overtime bat 17-17. Then came back in second overtime to kick game winner from 43 yards right down the center.
“Our defense put us in situation to kick a field goal,” said USC coach Clay Helton, “That what great teams do they find a way to win.”
These two college football’s bluebloods played some solid defense all night. When you need a big play by either team it was the defenses. Neither team was able to break out and take control of the game.
Texas under new head coach Tom Herman really come to Coliseum to play and leave it all on the field.
“We wanted to win, a lot of tears, a lot of sorrow, dejection in that locker room.” said coach Herman, “We will be able build upon this immensely”
A big momentum change was Darnold second interception of the game to safety DeShon Elliott to USC 30 yard line with 10:43 left in the game only trailing 14-10.
Texas defense steps up big time on fourth and goal from one yard line to stop the Trojans with 4:32 in first quarter. The front defensive seven had more push upfront, which was Trojans second turnover on downs.
Darnold never got rattled he just kept a short memory finishing with 397 yards with 3 touchdowns. The Trojans seem to abandon the running game so it was all on ten different receivers who had catches in the game.
Defensive back Ajene Harris was in the right place at the right time in overtime pickup a fumble from Texas quarterback who was stripped fight for extra yards.
That was the Longhorns last offensive snap and was forced to watch the Trojans go for the win.
“I told yall we were going to win this game.” said former Longhorn Vince Young after they took lead in closing minute of regulation.
Now it’s 2017 at Coliseum and the storybook ending was in USC favor this time.
