SAN DIEGO >> A Holiday Bowl victory is not exactly a rousing way to end the season.
But it beat the alternative Wednesday when USC again came up short in a close game, losing to No. 23-ranked Wisconsin, 23-21, before 48,329 at Qualcomm Stadium.
USC proved it was not a comeback team this season, whether in losses to Stanford or Washington or Wisconsin. And the focal point, quarterback Cody Kessler, again came up short.
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This game was probably more typical than anyone inside the program would care to admit.