LOS ANGELES – Thirteen minutes stood between USC and an unlikely Pac-12 title game berth last Saturday when Clay Helton entered his offense’s huddle. For three consecutive seasons, USC had failed to beat UCLA. But now, with a comfortable 12-point lead, the Trojans’ then-interim coach had designs on finally turning the tables. This drive, he determined, would be their final stand.
Helton looked into the eyes of each of his offensive linemen. “It’s time to end it,” he told them, before turning his gaze to the lone running back in the huddle.
Three years prior, before injuries and a crowded backfield bogged down his path to stardom, Justin Davis had signed with USC because of Helton and the promise that deep, genuine gaze offered.