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LOS ANGELES — The Utah Utes needed a win after their flat performance against Arizona last week. But the win will have to wait for another week after Utah falls to the USC Trojans 19-3.
Utah appeared to have an early handle on the game, starting with a great opening drive and 3 points, but quickly sputtered and failed to get the ball moving on offense.
"Love the passion and energy early for the #Utes," tweeted @UtesofUtah.
"I am freakin speechless," tweeted @Uteman_forever. "We are a dumpster fire. I love you Utes but this is bad."
The turnovers quickly came and so did the points for USC. Quarterback Travis Wilson, who was questionable leading up to the game with a hand injury, threw two interceptions and got stripped of the ball in the first half. Backup quarterback Adam Schulz was asked to jump in right before half, but threw an interception on his first pass of the game.
As a result, fans quickly turned on the quarterbacks and the offense as a whole.
"Wilson not ready to play," tweeted John Austin. "This QB story for the #Utes is getting old."
"Excuses have to stop," tweeted @tagfareed. This game, this season, whether it's his fault or not has come down to Travis Wilson."
Many fans were ready to drop both Wilson and Schulz and start a new era with Connor Manning.
Jason Jolley. "Hill>Wilson pull the redshirt off the manning kid already."
"Kyle Whittingham said we'd only see Connor Manning only if something catastrophic happened. Has he watched our QB play today?" Chris Foukas tweeted.
Despite Utah's offense woes, the Utah defense played great, holding USC to only 19 points. The defense stepped up and played with intensity all game, despite having to be on the field for most of the day. Trevor Reilly and Jacoby Hale had two sacks and LT Tuipulutu added another.
"Offense owes defense dinner," tweeted @ArmyUte4. "Offense has been embarrassing. I will always love my Utes but this has been absolutely pathetic."
"It's almost like watching two Ute teams out there," tweeted Jeff Kato. "The defense is playing well and with intensity. The offense looks lost."
"Defense and return game played good enough to have this game in #Utes favor," tweeted @UTESCR3W. "Offense turnovers however "
With the team now looking to figure out how to become bowl eligible, Utah faces an uncertain future.
"If Whittingham fails to get the Utes to a bowl game this year, is it time to start considering a change?" tweeted Greg Foster.
"All season, in every loss, biggest determining factor has been points off turnovers," @tagfareed tweeted.
