LOS ANGELES – The mistakes probably made both coaches age prematurely, but the fans were sufficiently entertained as USC and UCLA put on a show worthy of a Pac-12 South championship game.
The Trojans took the city – for the first time in four years – and the division and earned the right to play for a Rose Bowl berth. Big plays on defense and special teams helped the Trojans to beat the Bruins, 40-21, Saturday afternoon in front of 83,602 at the Coliseum.
USC trailed 21-20 in the third quarter but scored 20 consecutive points. The Trojans (8-4, 6-3) will play Stanford next Saturday in Santa Clara, and the winner will go to the Rose Bowl.