University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
Final Thoughts: USC Football defeats Colorado But Loses Key Contributor in Travis Dye
November 13, 2022 | Football
Final Thoughts: USC defeats Colorado, 55-17
Winning in November:
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The Trojans earned their ninth win of the season on Friday and their 16th overall against the Buffaloes. USC's 9-1 start to the season is the program's best since the 2008 team, which ultimately finished 12-1 with a Rose Bowl win over Penn State.
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Lincoln Riley's record so far is the best for a first-year head coach since John Robinson was also 9-1 after 10 games in the 1976 season.
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Though USC's offense got off to a slow start, quarterback Caleb Williams and company eventually found their stride, scoring 55 points - the team's second highest point total this season. USC has now scored at least 40 points in four consecutive games and 8 of its 10 games so far.
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"To be 9-1 sitting here in November, don't ever take that for granted, man," defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said following the game. "We certainly won't. But for us to finish, our best football better be in front of us."
Caleb Continues His Success:
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Earlier in the week, Lincoln Riley described Caleb Williams as one of college football's most valuable players and the quarterback continued to demonstrate why on Friday.
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He finished 14 of 26 for 268 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Williams also got it done on the ground with two rushing touchdowns in the second quarter. He is now tied with Matt Leinart for most rushing scores by a quarterback since 1996.
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In addition, Williams is the first USC quarterback to have two games with multiple rushing touchdowns in the same season since complete records were first available for this specific state in 1972.
Tremendous Loss:
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While the Trojans came away with a win Friday night, they did suffer a massive loss. Running back Travis Dye has played his final down as a Trojan, according to head coach Lincoln Riley. The redshirt senior was carted off the field in the second quarter and returned with a cast on his right leg. Riley said Dye's injury is serious enough to finish his collegiate career, but not serious enough to hurt his career at the next level.
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"He's going to be playing on an NFL team next year, and probably playing really well," Riley said. "It breaks your heart, it does. But again, it's part of the game and that's why you have to appreciate every opportunity that you get to coach it, especially to play it. His time here on the field should be with no regrets. He certainly left it all out there and did everything he could for this team, and I know he'll continue to do so."
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Dye finished his Trojan career with 8 consecutive games with a touchdown. He's in good company as the last Trojan to do so was Marcus Allen in 1981.
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Redshirt senior Austin Jones filled in for Dye Friday night and finished with 74 yards on 11 carries and 39 yards on 4 receptions with a touchdown. He dedicated his touchdown to his fellow teammate, putting up the numbers 2 and 6 with his fingers when he reached the end zone.
Tuli's Talent Shines:
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Tuli Tuipulotu came into Friday night's game as the nation's leader in sacks and only continued his dominance against Colorado. He recorded 2.5 sacks, 3 tackles and a forced fumble on the night. Tuipulotu now has 11.5 sacks this season which are the most in a single season by a Trojan finch Morgan Breslin recorded 13 in 2012.
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Overall, USC's defense took a step forward Friday night - allowing its opponent season-lows in both passing yards and total yards. The Trojans recorded their first safety since 2019 - after Colorado quarterback J.T. Shrout was called for intentional grounding in the first quarter.
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USC's defense came up with two takeaways thanks to the aforementioned fumble recovery and an interception by Calen Bullock. He now leads the Trojans in interceptions on the season with four.
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"He's been so important to what we've been doing," Riley said of Tuipulotu. "He's just been steady, he's been explosive. I know he doesn't like to think of himself like this but everybody else in that locker looks to him as a leader by example, and he's been a really strong leader for this football team and our defense."
Dye's Impact:
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Given the unexpected end to Travis Dye's collegiate career, it feels appropriate to end with a final word on the running back. It's been incredible to watch someone, who was already successful at another school in the same conference, endear himself so quickly to a fanbase like Travis Dye has done with USC fans. By all accounts, Dye has been a tremendous teammate both on and off the field - and you can see why with the heart and effort he played with on every down.
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Head coach Lincoln Riley credited the running back Friday for his help in changing the program's culture:
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"He's had an awesome run here for us this year, and there's no way we would be sitting here where we're at as a football team without him," Riley said. "His role will probably be a little bit different going forward here for this team, but he'll still be a huge leader and a huge part of it."
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If you were looking for a moment that displayed the impact Travis Dye's had on USC's football program, look no further than his final moment on the Coliseum field in full cardinal and gold uniform. Before the running back was carted off, his entire team surrounded him to send their well wishes, and as Dye was being carted past the field and up the tunnel - the Trojan faithful gave him a standing ovation with loud cheers of appreciation. Though it was a tragic scene, it was a fitting send off for someone who so quickly made his mark on USC's football program.
