The star quarterback stood all night on the sideline, wearing his cardinal and gold No. His top receiver lingered nearby, not far from USC’s No. Nothing about the circumstances facing USC ahead of the Holiday Bowl suggested the Trojans had any hope of ending a disappointing season on a high note. “We could have come into this game not caring about it,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said. It would have to settle for a stunning showcase for its quarterback and a sticky, post-bowl bath of eggnog for its head coach.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 28, 2023 19:15 UTC