USC Athletics

USC clinches the Pac-12 South title after beating the Buffaloes in Boulder.

Click here for the recap and final stats.

Mission Accomplished

USC head coach Clay Helton has a list of goals for his team every season, but the first step is always winning the Pac-12 South. "Congratulations to a bunch of great kids. Players win games," Helton praised his team. "We want to win championships around here. We didn't get this opportunity last year. It was a mission of ours this year to represent the Pac-12 South in San Francisco." The Trojans have to wait two weeks before leaving for Santa Clara, but they are aiming to end the nine-year conference-title drought. "It means a lot," said CB Ajene Harris. "It has not been done in many years, and we feel like we are the ones that are going to turn this program around."

Championship Football

The Trojans have struggled with the turnover bug most of the season, but when they needed to tighten up over the last three games, they gave the ball away only twice. "Any time you go on the road, Arizona State or here, you've got to be able to play clean football," Helton said about the team's first turnover-free game of the year. USC finished +2 in the turnover battle thanks to Harris, who had a pair of picks. "How about Ajene Harris today? He created two huge turnovers for us," Helton praised. Harris took the first interception back for six and then flipped the second one to Marvell Tell III who ran it in, but the officials called it back after replay. "I didn't have a clue my knee was down. I thought it was up the whole time," Harris laughed. "It's a good win for the team today."

Darnold's Day

USC QB Sam Darnold continued his impressive run, throwing for 329 yards and 2 TD while adding 31 rush yards and a TD on the ground. "We envisioned that it was going to be a wideout's game after two 300-yard rushing games," Helton said about the offensive game plan. "I thought the wideouts really stepped up and that Sam played his best game of the year." Darnold delivered the ball to six different receivers, including a career-best day for sophomore Michael Pittman Jr., who finished with 4 catches for 59 yards and his first TD. "Sam put the ball up to where only I could get to it," Pittman said about the first score of his career. "It's great to have my first touchdown be a jump ball. That's pretty awesome."

RoJo Rocks

Junior RB Ronald Jones II is a little more familiar with the end zone. The record-setting runner moved up to sixth on USC's career rushing list, passing Reggie Bush, LenDale White and Mike Garrett on the same night. "He finds yards that just aren't there," said an amazed Helton. "He's just a special talent. He's the balance that this offense needed." Jones finished the night with 142 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.

Houston, No Problem

The Trojans have seen several young players blossom as the season has progressed, but no one moreso than LB John Houston Jr. The first-year starter has played three consecutive tremendous games. "It's really neat watching these young kids grow up before our eyes and make huge plays for us down the stretch," Helton said. Houston recorded a game-high 11 tackles, including two for loss and one touchdown-saving pass breakup. "It's getting more natural out there," Houston said. "I'm getting more feel for the game. I am just thankful to my coaches for trusting in me."

Rivalry Week

With the Pac-12 South out of the way, USC has one focus this week, keeping the Victory Bell painted Cardinal and Gold for another year. "I'm going to go home tonight, take a quick nap and get ready for a great crosstown rivalry," Helton said. "It's always fun to play the Bruins, and we are fortunate to have it at our place this week." The Trojans are looking to make it three straight victories in the Crosstown Showdown.