“There was a saying that a man's true character was revealed in defeat.” ― Alison Goodman, Eon: Dragoneye Reborn
OK: let’s see….
“The officiating was really poor tonight, but we still should have won the game.” ― Lincoln Riley
"You're going to have some nights where the calls don't go your way, and they certainly did not tonight. That's not an excuse; it was just another thing we had to overcome." ― Lincoln Riley
"It came down to they made one more play, or we made one more mistake. We were one inch away on several occasions and, honestly, several times very close to running away with it." ― Lincoln Riley
How can you not experience a smidgen of schadenfreude at seeing this arrogant man taken down a peg or two? It has to be especially galling for Riley to know that his team led for the majority of the game and didn’t go down until 48 seconds remained. This gutting, one-point loss has to sting all the more knowing that his prized, dearly-bought receiver (Jordan Addison) shredded his left ankle/leg and is most-likely lost for the remainder of the season. Gentry too.
I see this year’s Trojans as a beautiful, shiny toy: quickly-constructed for Spoiled Children, out of parts pilfered from other children’s toys (many taken out of the same conference sandbox). The toy’s cracks appeared in the OSU game, but the shine remained by Chance. I think the shine wears off in the UCLA game and the toy’s flaws are more-fully exposed.
Unfortunately, the only way to get a Ducks-Utes conference final is for the Ducks to beat UCLA & the Utes (a doubly-tall task made easier at Autzen) & winning out; UCLA beats USC in the Rose Bowl (very possible), and then UCLA loses to Stanford or ASU or Arizona or Cal (which unfortunately, I can’t see happening).
I just hope that USC tastes no conference championship in the next two years. Let them run off to the Big 10 in 2024 with a destiny of finishing in 3rd or worst position most years in that conference. Sorry: a smidgen more schadenfreude...
Nice write up John. It’s rare that I watch any other college football regular season game other than the Oregon Ducks. However, last night I got locked in the game rooting for Utah. Gutsy win by Utah who cared nothing about the Goliath like Trojans. Now Oregon needs to handle their business next week against the Bruins and send them both packing with no Pac-12 title this year!
Oct 16, 2022·edited Oct 16, 2022Liked by John Canzano
The PAC 12 is still a great conference without the L.A. schools. Last night fans poured onto the fields in Boulder and Salt Lake City. Oregon State played a great game in Corvallis before a rabid crowd.
We don't need USC and UCLA. They are mercenary schools going to the highest bidder and I feel very bad for their athletes, coaches, and fans who will have to endure it while the rest of the PAC 12 continues to party like we did in Corvallis, Boulder, and Salt Lake City last night.
I forgot to mention Stanford got their first FBS win of the season against Notre Dame! Go PAC!!
Next week at Autzen will be huge for the Ducks and the Bruins. Victory by the Ducks would give them the lead in the Pac. The last three weeks of November is going to be a tough slog for the Ducks though. USC and UCLA will have already faced their toughest opposition. Go Ducks!
Yup--I know some guys who played for USC, and I am still smiling at the result. Your article made that smile even wider. Also seems to back up the notion that Utah is the better of the two teams--that's what OSU's performances against each of them seemed to indicate... even if the home/away location of said contests had a marked influence.
I didn't see the first half, riveted as I was to all 18 agonizing innings of the Sea-Hou playoff game. Just as I tuned in to the Utah/SC game I heard Brock Huard say the game was getting violent. Yes, very happy to see the Utes take SC down. And Coach Whit, he got some stones!
Riley bought a offense when he came to USC but 1 tight end from U Utah showed him he nexts has to buy a defense, along with a couch that can make adjustments during a game: Great win for the PAC 12
I’m really disappointed with this sour grapes piece, John… the truth is, UCLA and $c are still part of the PAC-12 and this reality is now. Indeed, an Duck/Utes finale would be amazing, but no more fitting than a Bruin/Duck or Bruin/Ute rematch… the scheduled exodus is based on real world economics, not motivated by ego. I understand your inclination to be a PAC-12 homer… I get it. But cattiness is uncalled for, you are better than that.
Riley sincerely believed he could run the table in the PAC this year and make it to the CFP. Seeing his reaction shows his true character. Guess what? They will be LUCKY to play for the PAC championship.
Their defense sucks. They should have lost to the Beavers and they will lose to UCLA.
The officials should have received the game ball helping the Utes on 4 critical bogus penalties that turned the game. Can't wait for USC to leave these pathetic homer out of state officials behind & move to the Big 10. Hope USC or UCLA takeSthe PAC this year.
“There was a saying that a man's true character was revealed in defeat.” ― Alison Goodman, Eon: Dragoneye Reborn
OK: let’s see….
“The officiating was really poor tonight, but we still should have won the game.” ― Lincoln Riley
"You're going to have some nights where the calls don't go your way, and they certainly did not tonight. That's not an excuse; it was just another thing we had to overcome." ― Lincoln Riley
"It came down to they made one more play, or we made one more mistake. We were one inch away on several occasions and, honestly, several times very close to running away with it." ― Lincoln Riley
How can you not experience a smidgen of schadenfreude at seeing this arrogant man taken down a peg or two? It has to be especially galling for Riley to know that his team led for the majority of the game and didn’t go down until 48 seconds remained. This gutting, one-point loss has to sting all the more knowing that his prized, dearly-bought receiver (Jordan Addison) shredded his left ankle/leg and is most-likely lost for the remainder of the season. Gentry too.
I see this year’s Trojans as a beautiful, shiny toy: quickly-constructed for Spoiled Children, out of parts pilfered from other children’s toys (many taken out of the same conference sandbox). The toy’s cracks appeared in the OSU game, but the shine remained by Chance. I think the shine wears off in the UCLA game and the toy’s flaws are more-fully exposed.
Unfortunately, the only way to get a Ducks-Utes conference final is for the Ducks to beat UCLA & the Utes (a doubly-tall task made easier at Autzen) & winning out; UCLA beats USC in the Rose Bowl (very possible), and then UCLA loses to Stanford or ASU or Arizona or Cal (which unfortunately, I can’t see happening).
I just hope that USC tastes no conference championship in the next two years. Let them run off to the Big 10 in 2024 with a destiny of finishing in 3rd or worst position most years in that conference. Sorry: a smidgen more schadenfreude...
Awesome article! It is often more than just a game!
Thanks
Nice write up John. It’s rare that I watch any other college football regular season game other than the Oregon Ducks. However, last night I got locked in the game rooting for Utah. Gutsy win by Utah who cared nothing about the Goliath like Trojans. Now Oregon needs to handle their business next week against the Bruins and send them both packing with no Pac-12 title this year!
This is the content I’m happy to pay for. Best of luck.
The PAC 12 is still a great conference without the L.A. schools. Last night fans poured onto the fields in Boulder and Salt Lake City. Oregon State played a great game in Corvallis before a rabid crowd.
We don't need USC and UCLA. They are mercenary schools going to the highest bidder and I feel very bad for their athletes, coaches, and fans who will have to endure it while the rest of the PAC 12 continues to party like we did in Corvallis, Boulder, and Salt Lake City last night.
I forgot to mention Stanford got their first FBS win of the season against Notre Dame! Go PAC!!
Next week at Autzen will be huge for the Ducks and the Bruins. Victory by the Ducks would give them the lead in the Pac. The last three weeks of November is going to be a tough slog for the Ducks though. USC and UCLA will have already faced their toughest opposition. Go Ducks!
Yup--I know some guys who played for USC, and I am still smiling at the result. Your article made that smile even wider. Also seems to back up the notion that Utah is the better of the two teams--that's what OSU's performances against each of them seemed to indicate... even if the home/away location of said contests had a marked influence.
Great piece! You really captured the importance of this game for not only Utah, but the remaining Pac-10!
I didn't see the first half, riveted as I was to all 18 agonizing innings of the Sea-Hou playoff game. Just as I tuned in to the Utah/SC game I heard Brock Huard say the game was getting violent. Yes, very happy to see the Utes take SC down. And Coach Whit, he got some stones!
It's 4:14am and .......
In (very) slightly related news. Los Padres eliminated the ##%%ing Dodgers in one of the greatest days in San Diego history!!
Riley bought a offense when he came to USC but 1 tight end from U Utah showed him he nexts has to buy a defense, along with a couch that can make adjustments during a game: Great win for the PAC 12
I’m really disappointed with this sour grapes piece, John… the truth is, UCLA and $c are still part of the PAC-12 and this reality is now. Indeed, an Duck/Utes finale would be amazing, but no more fitting than a Bruin/Duck or Bruin/Ute rematch… the scheduled exodus is based on real world economics, not motivated by ego. I understand your inclination to be a PAC-12 homer… I get it. But cattiness is uncalled for, you are better than that.
Riley sincerely believed he could run the table in the PAC this year and make it to the CFP. Seeing his reaction shows his true character. Guess what? They will be LUCKY to play for the PAC championship.
Their defense sucks. They should have lost to the Beavers and they will lose to UCLA.
The officials should have received the game ball helping the Utes on 4 critical bogus penalties that turned the game. Can't wait for USC to leave these pathetic homer out of state officials behind & move to the Big 10. Hope USC or UCLA takeSthe PAC this year.
I'll tell you who else enjoyed this win- Oklahoma fans.