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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Southern California is the embodiment of success. It's got the glitz, glamour and storied pedigree of winning in college football.
Children dream of playing for the Trojans, believing that USC is the pinnacle of college football in the West. The program recruits the best; it gets the best. To be recruited by the Trojans is one of the biggest honors for most high school athletes, particularly those living in the Southern California area. Those not recruited by the Trojans look to prove coaches wrong.
Although much of USC’s success has been in the past, the program still brings with it an aura of success — a benchmark to measure against — when playing opposing teams. For Utah, though, beating the Trojans Friday night in a late-game winning drive was an opportunity to send a statement to the Pac-12 that the relative newcomer was not afraid of the Trojan brand. That was most evident in Utah’s 15-play, 93-yard drive where the Utes methodically diced up the Trojan defense to steal the win. Fourth downs didn't scare Utah, standout corner Adoree Jackson did not shake their confidence.
“We were in a perfect position,” quarterback Troy Williams said. “We were exactly where we wanted to be and didn’t have our heads down at any point or moment of the game.”
It's not the first time the Utes have beaten the Trojans and it won't be the last, but the manner in how Utah did it was something special for all involved. Facing a 14-point deficit and momentum slipping away, Utah rallied back and had full confidence in its offense, a generally inconsistent aspect of the program the last few seasons.
“Those are the games you grow up — you play video games against USC,” senior offensive lineman Isaac Asiata said. “Those are the ones you dream about when you’re a little kid — playing teams like that and winning. It’s a childhood dream come true. Anybody watching this game that has aspirations to do it, you can do it. I did it, these guys did it. It was a great team win.”
Prior to Friday’s come-from-behind victory, Asiata said his favorite win all-time was the 2014 game against the Trojans, where Utah needed a touchdown in the final seconds of the game to win. It was the first win against the Trojans since joining the Pac-12 and a strong indicator that Utah was making progress in being able to compete with Pac-12 opponents on a consistent basis.
“That was my favorite game in my career up until today,” Asiata said. “I’m kinda at a loss for words because it’s very emotional, very satisfying to work your tail off and now you get that win.”
A victory over the Trojans, though, meant everything for Williams, a Los Angeles kid who dreamed of someday donning a Trojans uniform and leading the program to continued success. But the Trojans never had interest in Williams, and he was left wondering what the coaches didn't see in him. What was he lacking?
“I just always kinda wondered what it was about me or about my game to where they didn’t feel the need to at least show me some interest,” he said. “But everything happens for a reason. I’ve moved on from it a long time ago, since high school. I’m just glad to be here at Utah, and that’s all the matters.”
Williams shined in his debut against the Trojans, finishing the night with 270 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-34 passing. But most importantly, he was the leader of the offense in its game-winning drive over his once favorite team. What did USC coaches miss? A hardworking quarterback ready to lead a Pac-12 program — a Utah program working to finally claim its first Pac-12 championship since joining the conference.
“(The win) means a lot,” Williams said. “Everybody back at home was watching. I got a call from pretty much everybody in my hometown throughout this whole week, so I know they were watching and it means a lot just knowing that that was my dream to go to SC, especially just being an L.A. kid. It’s just a dream come true just going out there and competing against them and beating them.”
Williams, though, is now a Ute and committed to winning the Pac-12. More importantly, he's an integral part to a Utah offense ready to compete with the rest of the conference. An offense “not intimidated by anyone,” Williams said.
