Clay Helton remembers the turning point.
USC led Stanford by three points in the third quarter of the Pac-12 championship game last December.
It was less than 20 minutes from clinching its first Rose Bowl berth in seven seasons.
“I’ll never forget it as long as I live,” Helton said.
The Trojans’ defense was in man coverage when the Cardinal faced third down. Olajuwon Tucker, an inside linebacker, prepared to shadow Christian McCaffrey. Stomachs churned.
“I’m like, ‘Please God, don’t throw it to him,’” Helton said. “And they did.”
As the ball was snapped, McCaffrey made a quick move upfield out of the backfield, gaining a step on Tucker.