Pac 12 Champions: USC’s Glorious End to a Turbulent Season.
On Friday Dec. 1, the USC Trojans defeated the Stanford Cardinal in a thrilling Pac 12 title game.
In the Trojans’ 31–28 victory, quarterback Sam Darnold went 17–24, 325 yards, two touchdowns, and another MVP trophy under his belt.
Running back Ronald Jones had his ninth 100+ yard game of the season (fifth straight), two touchdowns, and vaulted over O.J. Simpson landing at #5 in USC’s all-time rushing list.
This claiming of glory gave the Trojans something they had been chasing all season, an end to the negative air surrounding Clay Helton’s second year as head coach.
Now I know what you are thinking, negative air around a second year coach who had won a Rose Bowl last year with a 10–3 team?
Negative air around a second year coach who’s current team was 10–2 heading into the Pac 12 title game?
Yes as ridiculous as it seems, many in the Trojan Family were not happy with the discipline Helton’s team had shown this year in finishing games and limiting errors.
Many were calling for his job and the jobs of his coaching staff. Many among the Trojan Family had negativity locked in their opinions of their favorite team.
To those who doubted, to those who lost faith, I can only shake my head and smile.
What many in the USC community seemed to have forgotten is the cardinal (and gold) rule about what it means to be a Trojan, you Fight On.
Just as this Pac 12 Championship team did, you fight through losses. You fight through all the adversity. You fight through the bombardment of negative press coming from outside and inside sources.
You hold up the V for victory and you have faith, because if you can’t believe in your team why even be a fan?
What Helton and this team accomplished is nothing short of miraculous.
Injury plagued his starters, a regular season bye week was no where to be found, and yet the Trojans strung together a series of wins that had viewers on the edge of their seats all year. For better or for worse.
As bowl season gets underway and USC will be traveling to play in the Cotton Bowl Classic against Ohio State, I have one piece of advice to those in the Trojan Family that had lost their faith.
Just breathe.
Take a deep breath, smile, and feel pride.
We are Pac 12 Champions after all.
Fight On!
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Dina Colunga is a proud USC alum whose words can be found at Ball Control Offense, The Unprofessionals, and Reign of Troy. Connect with her on Twitter @alwayscompete, and Instagram @dinatrojan.
