Alex Grinch’s defense lost the Cotton Bowl, but USC special teams failures contributed as well
The USC Trojans have a lot of reasons for falling short in the Cotton Bowl. Tulane came storming back and got the 46-45 victory in one of the best games of the entire season for neutral fans who just wanted a fun game. They got one.
It wasn’t good or fun for USC fans, however.
The defense had plenty of issues once again and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch was back on the roster in the social media world after a terrible performance.
That said, special teams also had a couple of miscues. For starters, kicker Denis Lynch was short on a 52-yard field goal attempt in a dome; that would have been the longest kick of his career, but he didn’t have enough leg. That was jarring.
The other miscue was the difference maker: Mario Williams botched a late kickoff return and the Trojans ended up with the ball at their own 1-yard line, which led to a safety.
Where do we even begin? The defense was bad, but special teams was another talking point after the loss:
NO REAL ANSWERS
USC's Cotton Bowl press conference was cut short after 11 minutes, two of which were Lincoln Riley's opening statement and three of which we were directed to ask questions only to student athletes
No time to ask about play calling backed up on the one, or special teams decisions
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) January 2, 2023
NO LIES
The story of the 2022 USC Trojans: An abysmal defense and special teams that doomed one of the greatest offenses in program history.
— Austin Green (@AustinGreen44) January 2, 2023
DAMAGE DONE
What a ball game! But also what a fitting end for this #USC team.
Caleb Williams was spectacular, but it didn't matter because the defense didn't tackle, special teams blundered and the opposing TE scored the game-winning TD. pic.twitter.com/fw7srxYjS1
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) January 2, 2023
BECAUSE HE DIDN'T DO WELL
USC had a special teams coordinator, one of the best in the business, and literally everyone hated him.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) January 2, 2023
CRUSHER
No special teams coach for #USC.
Trojans make another special teams blunder when Mario Williams could have just let the ball go into the end zone. https://t.co/m3AVMNzJCi
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) January 2, 2023
VIDEO
USC special teams mistake pic.twitter.com/3kr5FozLXV
— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) January 2, 2023
NO DOUBT
What a stupid play on special teams to force USC into a safety and then awful performance per usual by the defense. Awful awful awful
— JAKE ELLENBOGEN (@JKBOGEN) January 2, 2023
AGAIN
Oh man. #USC is shooting itself in the foot here on defense and special teams.
— Antonio Morales (@AntonioCMorales) January 2, 2023
IT WAS
Just an embarrassing effort from USC's defense and special teams. That Mario Williams muff was the true turning point.
— Ryan Phillips (@RumorsandRants) January 2, 2023
SO TRUE
Mario Williams fumbles the return out of bounds at the 1-yard line. You can’t make this stuff up, man.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) January 2, 2023
SEEMS LIKE IT
If Mario Williams lets that ball go it either goes into the end zone or out of bounds. Instead he tries to catch it and muffs it out of bounds. SMH.
— Ryan Phillips (@RumorsandRants) January 2, 2023
SHORT! IN A DOME!
Dennis Lynch was short on the 52-yard field goal and Tulane will have good field position to try and tie the game.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) January 2, 2023
WHICH MAGNIFIES THE MISSED ONE
Denis Lynch with a good kick right there. On his earlier, longer attempt, he didn't get a good run-up and his plant wasn't strong, so he didn't crush the ball the way he could have. Came up a few yards short. This one was perfect.
— RichSC (@OriginalRichSC) January 2, 2023
YUP
Think #USC is gonna rethink hiring a special teams coordinator?
— Jack Smith 🎙 (@jacksmithpxp) January 2, 2023
HARD TRUTH
Defense and special teams fail us again #USC #CottonBowl
— Chris (@ccalderon_76) January 2, 2023
TOO INTERESTING FOR THE TROJANS, AS IT TURNED OUT
A really stupid special teams move by USC and Tulane's defense have just made this a VERY interesting game.
— SpearIt (@SpearIt) January 2, 2023
REPEAT
And more special teams miscues
— USC Trojans News ✌️ (@FightOn2Victory) January 2, 2023
GOOD IDEA
USC should practice special teams or something 😂
— Jon Schmig (@JonDavidSchmig) January 2, 2023
SHEESH
and now a bad special teams error? Sheesh #USC
— Marvin (@808marv) January 2, 2023
MAYBE SO
Mario Williams fumbled the kickoff at the 1. That was the game. Setup the safety. What a mental error. Maybe usc needs a special teams coach
— Guru (@CrazyCodie) January 2, 2023
