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FINAL: No. 11 Utah defeats No. 4 USC 47-24 in Pac-12 Championship Game.

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney12/03/22ErikTMcKinney
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USC quarterback Caleb Williams prepares to take a snap in the Pac-12 Conference Championship Game against the Utah Utes (WeAreSC/Acscottphotography)

The Pac-12 season comes down to this, as the USC Trojans and Utah Utes meet in the conference championship game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Follow along as WeAreSC provides a live look at the scoring and highlight plays throughout the game. Also, be sure to share your thoughts on the game with fellow USC fans on the Pac-12 Championship Game thread at the WeAreSC Members Only message board.

Pregame

* The Trojans have arrived at Allegiant Stadium very, very early. It’s three hours before kickoff as they make their way across the field to the locker room.

* Looking at the listed officials for this game, none worked the previous USC – Utah game this season. Referee Chris Coyte worked the USC games against Arizona State and Cal this season. But this isn’t a crew that worked together all season. Several of the other officials have done other USC games this year.

* And speaking of the locker room, the USC official account provided a look at the No. 13 jersey of quarterback Caleb Williams ahead of this Pac-12 Championship Game.

* There won’t be any type of “fit check” today as far as the outfits USC players are wearing into the stadium. It’s all USC warmup gear for the Trojans. That’s certainly a departure from the way they’ve entered the Coliseum all season. Though, an exception should be made for rush ends coach Roy Manning. Nobody out-suits Manning in terms of pregame attire and he’s looking sharp again

* Linebacker Ralen Goforth spent a long time by himself standing at the 50-yard line on the Pac-12 logo. He seemed to be taking in the scene and took some video of the stadium.

* Matt Leinart is down on the field well ahead of the game. He spent some time chopping it up with former teammate Shaun Cody and then went over to greet and chat with USC Director of Football Operations Clarke Stroud.

* As usual, USC’s defensive line is the first position group fully out on the field. They’re gathering around the midfield logo in a huddle. It’s 2:26, so just under three hours until kickoff.

* Running back Austin Jones is one of the first USC skill position players out on the field. He’s working on back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances and coming off a season-high 154 rushing yards against Notre Dame last week.

* Linebacker Eric Gentry is walking the sideline early as well, a typical pregame routine for him. Gentry suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter the last time these two teams played. He played very sparingly against UCLA but then came back in a big way against Notre Dame. He could have a significant impact on this game tonight for the USC defense.

* Offensive tackle Mason Murphy has taken his usual pregame position, sitting leaned up against the goal post. Will be interesting to see the makeup of the USC offensive line in this one. Andrew Vorhees did not finish the game against Notre Dame last week and the lineup shifted to Murphy at right tackle, Jonah Monheim at right guard and Justin Dedich at left guard, with Bobby Haskins at left tackle.

* No surprise, the Spirit of Troy is the first group to fill its section the second fans start trickling in. Some very early arriving fans are coming in at 3:00 as soon as doors opened.

* USC skill position players are out on the field for early warmups. Michael Jackson III is the only receiver who does not appear to be out there with the group. Jordan Addison already has his uniform pants and thigh pads on. He’s the only skill player with those on already.

* USC left guard Andrew Vorhees is not out with the offensive linemen going through early warmups. Looks as though the Trojans will go with Haskins, Dedich, Brett Neilon, Monheim and Murphy across the offensive line, left to right.

* Good, loud crowd in the stadium for this one. Pretty even split for the two teams, if not a slight USC advantage.

* USC wins the coin toss and elects to receive the opening kick.

First Quarter

* USC takes the opening kickoff and drives 75 yards in seven plays. Quarterback Caleb Williams hits Tahj Washington for a short touchdown. Williams converted a short fourth-down on a run and completed a 50-yard pass to Washington on the drive. It’s 7-0 USC with 11:28 left in the first quarter.

* Utah puts together a drive that lasts 5:18, but it only results in a field goal for the Utes. It’s USC ahead 7-3 with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter.

* Two drives and two touchdown passes for Williams. This time he hits running back Raleek Brown with a three-yard throw on fourth down. It’s 14-3 USC with 2:52 left in the first quarter. Williams had the longest USC run of the season on the drive, keeping the ball for 59 yards.

* Caleb Williams is dealing with what appears to be a fairly significant cut on his throwing hand. He’s playing through it and hasn’t missed a snap.

Second Quarter

* USC can’t convert a first-and-goal at the three-yard line situation and the Trojans settle for a 20-yard field goal by Denis Lynch. USC pushes its lead to 17-3 with 12:08 remaining in the first half.

* Max Williams forces a fumble after a Utah completion and it’s recovered by Bryson Shaw. That’s turnover No. 27 of the season for the USC defense. The Trojans lead the nation in turnover margin.

* Another long scoring drive for the Utes. This one takes up 6:33 as Utah goes 63 yards in 11 plays. It’s 17-10 USC with 3:55 left in the first quarter.

* Utah scores again right before halftime. The Utes go 81 yards in 14 plays and 1:38 to tie the game at 17 with two seconds remaining in the first half.

Halftime

Halftime stat comparison

Total yards

Utah – 243, USC – 260

Rushing yards

Utah – 86, USC – 90

Passing yards

Utah – 157, USC – 170

Third-down conversions

Utah – 3-for-6, USC – 0-for-5

Utah Stats

QB Cameron Rising – 14-of-24 for 157 yards and a touchdown. Four carries for 21 yards
RB Micah Bernard – Six carries for 40 yards
WR Jaylen Dixon – Four receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown
TE Dalton Kincaid – Three receptions for 33 yards
S R.J. Hubert – Five tackles
DE Gabe Reid – One tackle, one sack, one quarterback hurry

USC Stats

QB Caleb Williams – 13-of-19 for 170 and two touchdowns. Five rushes for 69 yards
RB Austin Jones – Eight carries for 21 yards
WR Tahj Washington – Four receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown
WR Mario Williams – Two receptions for 39 yards
S Max Williams – Eight tackles, one forced fumble
S Bryson Shaw – Four tackles, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery

Third Quarter

* After a punt by each team, Utah scored a touchdown on third-and-19 when USC defenders try to strip the ball after a completion. Money Parks could have been brought down short of a first down but he escapes and goes 57 yards for a touchdown. It’s 24-17 Utah. The Utes are on a 21-0 run.

Fourth Quarter

* Utah extends its lead to 27-17 on the first play of the fourth quarter with a 35-yard field goal.

* Caleb Williams finds Mario Williams on a short throw and the receiver does the rest to get into the endzone from 12 yards out. Utah now leads 27-24 with 10:52 remaining in the game. Williams is now 20-for-31 for 244 yards and three touchdowns while playing at least the last three quarters clearly injured.

* Poor USC tackling rears its head once again. Utah takes advantage with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Rising to tight end Thomas Yassmin. It’s 34-24 Utah with 10:08 remaining in the game.

* Caleb Williams is intercepted by Utah with 6:57 remaining and USC driving. It’s just his fourth interception of the season. Utes are in position to run some clock and put USC in a tough position.

* Utah strikes quickly with a three-play touchdown drive thanks to a 53-yard scoring run by Ja’Quinden Jackson. It’s 40-24 Utah after the Utes miss the extra point. But the Utes fan in attendance are starting to celebrate with 5:29 remaining.

* With 1:52 remaining, Utah scores on a long TD run. Utah 47-25

* Final score: Utah 47, USC 24

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz