Written by Dave Dulberg, USC blog contributor
Although USC found themselves on the wrong side of the win-loss column after Saturday night's triple overtime classic against Stanford, the message in the Trojans' post-game locker room was all about moving on from the stunning 56-48 defeat.
"As a team we've been in this situation before," said defensive end Wes Horton, who recorded one of the team's two sacks on Stanford QB Andrew Luck. "We have had some tough losses, but Coach Kiffin does a good job of letting us know it's time to turn the page. It sucks to lose like we did, but it's time to start looking at our next opponent. There's no time to dwell on this one, because if we do it will effect our play on the road next week."
While moral victories typically have little place in USC's tradition-steeped program, several players left the gates of the Coliseum proud of the way they fought against one of the top teams in the country.
"I feel like offensively and defensively, this game proved we can hang with anyone in the country," said Horton. "We just need to finish better in the fourth quarter. It's really all about the little things, just finding a way to sometimes gut it out at the end of the game."
With several underclassmen making key contributions for the Trojans this season, the question remains can this young team erase memories of what could have been, and instead focus on what lies ahead with four games to play?
"I think we can, because now that this game is over it's time to get back to work," said wide receiver Robert Woods, who was involved in the controversial finish at the end of regulation. "Obviously, it was a tough loss but I honestly feel like we gave everything we had out on that field. That's all you can ever really do."
Next up for USC is a Friday night trip to Boulder, CO, for its first Pac-12 game against the Buffaloes. Although the team has struggled mightily (1-8) in their inaugural season in the conference, the Trojans insist the mindset this week is not as much on their opponent as it is on refocusing as a united group.
"We are pumped for the rest of the season because we get to play again," said defensive tackle Christian Tupou. What more could you ever ask for but to play another down? There's no Lombardi speech necessary, as veterans we need to go out at practice this week and lead by example. It's time to refocus our energy and attention on the next game. If you're not excited to play another game there's something wrong with you."
(Photos by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
