MidValleySports.Com

Justin Davis scored twice but it wasn’t enough as the Trojans fell to Wisconsin. (Photo by Duane Barker)

By Joe Torosian

San Diego— At one time the discussion centering around USC football was the next championship, the next Rose Bowl game, the next Heisman Trophy winner, but after Wednesday’s 23-21 Holiday Bowl loss to Wisconsin all the talk will be about, “what the heck happened?”

How do you come out flat in an important game? How do you not protect your quarterback? How do you go brain dead on special teams with less than a minute to play? How do you not throw a pass beyond the first down marker on fourth and ten with less than ten seconds left?

The Trojan defense was solid but were unable to get any turnovers. (Photo by Duane Barker)

Then there will be the inevitable talk about Chip Kelly being available.

Rafael Gaglianone’s 29-yard field goal with 2:27 to play gave the Badgers a 23-21 lead that turned into Wisconsin’s first ever victory over USC in front 48,329 in attendance.

The Big Ten representatives built up a 20-7 lead in the third quarter before the Trojans came all the way back to take a 21-20 lead. Cody Kessler’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Darreus Rogers capped a 12-play 82-yard drive with 10:19 to play.

The USC defense dialed up a stand that stalled the Badgers next drive at the Trojans 41. On a pass completion to Robert Wheelwright for a first down quarterback, Joel Stave was knocked out of the contest when his face was stepped on. Three plays and a punt gave the ball back to USC.

The Wisconsin defense turned a three and out and when Stave returned, with bandaged nose, his team found itself at its own 47 with 5:34 remaining. The 4-year starter completed a pair of 17-yard passes to Austin Traylor and Tony Fumagalli to move the ball the Trojans 18.

Three rushing plays set up Gaglianone’s game-winning kick.

Three plays into USC’s next drive Cody Kessler was pressured and his hurried throw was intercepted by the Badgers Sojurn Shelton.

Wisconsin, after being hit with an unsportsmanlike penalty for celebrating, took over at its own 39 and was able to force the Trojans to burn through their remaining timeouts before punting the ball back.

Drew Meyer’s punt was a touchback with 0:39 to play, but instead of getting the ball at the 20 USC began at the 10. Linebacker Don Hill was hit with a personal foul when he grabbed Meyer by the front of his jersey and beat him into the turf.

Kessler completed three of the next four passes to bring his team to the 50. Spiking the ball on the first play, he missed on his next pass, and on third down. On fourth and ten Kessler checked out of a Hail Mary route to JuJu Smith-Schuster and instead went to Rogers on an out-route. The ball was incomplete and the game was over.

USC’s first three possessions ended with punts and they continued to lose the war in the trenches. Wisconsin scored on four consecutive possessions beginning with a field goal at the start of the second quarter and ending with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Stave to Taylor in the third. The drive covered 64-yards on 12-plays and 6:15 from the third quarter clock. These four scoring drives totaled over 18 minutes of game time.

Down 20-7, USC responded with a quick 5-play 55-yard drive, highlighted by a 39-yard pass to Smith-Schuster, that was capped by Justin Davis 4-yard run to set up the eventful fourth quarter.

Game Notes:

***Wisconsin’s Jack Cichy was named defensive MVP as he recorded all three of the Badgers sack of Kessler in one, third quarter series.

***Kessler finished 18 of 32 for 221 yards, TD, INT for the Trojans.

***Wisconsin’s Stave finished 18 of 27 for 217 yards, TD.

***The USC defense did not record a sack or register a turnover.

***The interception by the Badgers’ Sojourn Shelton was his first of the year.

***The Trojans won the first six meetings between these schools. The last win coming in 1966 and two victories coming in Rose Bowl meetings (1953 & 1963).

***Wisconsin’s Alex Erickson led all receivers with five receptions.

***JuJu Smith-Schuster led USC with four catches.

***The Badgers finished the season with a 10-3 record.

***The Trojans ended the 2015 campaign 8-6

Scoring Summary

2nd. Qtr.
WIS 13:30: Gaglianone 38-yard field goal
WIS 08:56: Corey Clement 6-yard run (Gaglianone kick)
USC 05:17: Justin Davis 1-yard run (Alex Wood kick)
WIS 00:26: Gaglianone 33-yard field goal.

HALFTIME: Wisconsin 13 USC 7

3rd. Qtr.
WIS 07:49: Austin Traylor 4-yard pass from Joel Stave (Gaglianone kick)
USC 05:34: Justin Davis 4-yard run (Wood kick)

THIRD QUARTER: Wisconsin 20 USC 14

4th Qtr.
USC 10:19: Darreus Rogers 7-yard pass from Kessler (Wood kick)
WIS 02:27: Gaglianone 29-yard field goal

FINAL: Wisconsin 23 USC 21