The Trojans were unable to accommodate Helton and trailed Wisconsin at halftime on Wednesday night in the Holiday Bowl. They combined for better than 1,800 yards and 13 touchdowns, giving the Trojans a couple of options offensively against a stout Badger defense.
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UW had plenty of experience facing interim coaches in Big Ten Conference games this season and linebacker Vince Biegel said it is easy to spot a team in disarray on film.
It’s been a season of ups and downs for the USC Trojans, (8-5, 6-3) who arrived in San Diego on Saturday, December 26 to prepare to meet the No. 23 Wisconsin Badgers (9-3, 6-2) in the Holiday Bowl. WatchESPN will offer a live stream online as well.
SAN DIEGO (AP) – After more than six decades, the Wisconsin Badgers have finally beaten the Southern California Trojans.
Rafael Gaglianone kicked a 29-yard field goal with 2:27 left to lift the Badgers to victory.
The Trojans end the season with an 8-6 record, finishing 5-4 under Helton, who took over midway through the year after Steve Sarkisian’s dismissal. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Dec 30, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers band dances during the fourth quarter against the USC Trojans in the 2015 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. The victory was the 31st with Stave as the starting quarterback, which broke the program record of 30, set by Brooks Bollinger from 1999 through 2002.
In what feels like similar energy to that of former USC coach Pete Carroll, Helton seems to be confident enough in his abilities to go straight for the throat of anyone and everyone in college football. Watching him take that final knee to defeat the best bowl team in college football history was a pretty incredible moment.
Wisconsin’s Jack Cichy went all J.J.
“I do not let this game deter it. It was two very, very good games and we came up short”.
“They had a relentless effort to the ball”. His play-action fakes turned into big plays for Wisconsin, specifically on one that had the broadcasters, cameramen and USC defense completely fooled and led to an Austin Traylor touchdown with no one else in sight. In a series of three plays, Cichy did something football fans may have never seen before, and it came at a critical time for the Badgers.
Cichy actually wanted to ease his way into the game after sitting out the first half.
Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC- With a lot of time to prepare for this game, expect the do-it-all athlete to be included in every facet of the game, perhaps even some trick plays on offense. Quarterback Cody Kessler and the Trojans are coming off a loss to Stanford by a 41-22 final score.
The Trojans seized their first lead of the game, 21-20, with 10 minutes remaining when Kessler clicked with wide receiver Darreus Rogers on a 7-yard touchdown pass. Kessler was flushed from the pocket and extended the play before spotting Rogers streaking across the end zone. We were trying to get a quick 10 yards and get it out and make it an easier. On first and goal from the four-yard line, junior running back Justin Davis ran it in to cut the Badgers’ advantage to 20-14 with five minutes to play in the third quarter.
Helton’s final game was not his best. The Badgers battled through a great deal of adversity with injuries to key players Corey Clement and Joel Stave and a blown call that negated what would have been a 73-yard touchdown run for Tanner McEvoy. On USC’s next possession, Cichy broke through to sack Kessler three straight times, for a total loss of 24 yards.
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USC’s front allowed little movement early and the Badgers rushed for just 30 yards on 11 carries in the first quarter.
