USC (4-7 overall, 3-5 Pac-12 South) vs California (4-7 overall, 3-5 Pac-12 North) 
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, 8 p.m. PT, FoxSports1 California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, Calif.
USC visits long-time opponent California in a game that was originally set for Nov. 13 but was rescheduled to this Saturday due to COVID-19 issues in the Golden Bears’ program.
The December night game (USC’s seventh of 2021) on FS1, oddly coming a day after the Pac-12 Football Championship Game, is the season finale for a pair of non-bowling teams with identical records.
It’s only the fourth time in history that USC has had a game rescheduled.
It will be USC’s 108th meeting with Cal, the team the Trojans have played more than any opponent. However, for the first time since 1925, the teams didn’t battle last year due to COVID scheduling limitations.
USC hasn’t lost to the Golden Bears in the Bay Area since 2003.
It’s the first time since 1935 that USC’s final 2 regular season games are against teams that do not include either UCLA or Notre Dame.
USC goes to Berkeley riding the news about the hiring of Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley–one of the game’s most successful young coaches (85% winning percentage, 4 league titles, 4 New Year’s Six bowls with 3 CFP appearances)–as its head coach. Interim head coach Donte Williams will guide USC at Cal this Saturday.
USC, trying to avoid its first 4-game losing streak since 2001, lost a 4-point heartbreaker at home to No. 13 BYU this past Saturday. Against the Cougars, true freshman QB Jaxson Dart started his second game for injured QB Kedon Slovis, TB Vavae Malepeai ran for a season-best 99 yards while moving into 21st on USC’s prestigious career rushing chart and fellow TB Darwin Barlow had his season-high of 81 ground yards, WR Gary Bryant Jr. had 149 all-purpose yards (he is 22nd nationally in kickoff returns) and true frosh TE Lake McRee continued his emergence as a fearless downfield pass catcher. TB Keaontay Ingram, who sat out the BYU contest with an injury, is less than 100 yards from a 1,000-yard rushing season. ILB Kana’i Mauga, USC’s tackle leader in 2021, is 14 stops away from triple figures. The Trojan defense has 19 takeaways this season and got 2 more versus BYU (interceptions by Mauga and S Calen Bullock). PK Parker Lewis, with 3 field goals against BYU, is now within 2 of tying USC’s season field goal record of 19, while P Ben Griffiths is averaging 45.4 yards per boot to rank Top 20 in the country. Out of sight, but not out of mind: WR Drake London, despite breaking his ankle in Game 8 and being sidelined, remains a leading candidate for All- American honors based on his impressive body of work in 2021 (88 catches, 1,084 yards, 7 TDs). *After starting the 2021 season with a 1-5 record, head coach Justin Wilcox’s California team won 3 of its next 4 games before falling big at UCLA on Saturday. Dual-threat senior QB Chase Garbers, a 4-year starter who owns Cal career quarterback marks for most rushing yards and TDs, directs the offense. RBs Christopher Brooks and Damien Moore top the Bears in rushing, while leading pass catchers are WRs Nikko Remigio (one of the nation’s best kickoff returners), Kekoa Crawford and Trevon Clark. Cal’s defense, which is Top 25 nationally in turnover margin and interceptions, features Ss Daniel Scott and Elijah Hicks, along with OLB Muelu Iosefa (his brother played at USC) and OLB Cameron Goode.
RANKINGS: USC and California are not ranked in the current AP sports media and USA Today coaches polls.
FUN FACT I: USC has played California at more venues (8) than any other opponent. The sites and year of first appearance:
Berkeley (California Field), 1915; Los Angeles (Washington Park, Washington & Hill), 1915; Los Angeles (Fiesta Park, Grand & Pico), 1916; Los Angeles, (Bovard Field), 1917; Pasadena (Tournament of Roses Stadium (Rose Bowl)), 1922; Los Angeles (Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum), 1923; Berkeley (Memorial Stadium), 1924; San Francisco (AT&T Park), 2011.
FUN FACT II: USC has played 1,284 games in its history and only twice—when Troy snapped No. 1-ranked California’s 38- game regular season unbeaten streak
in 1951 at Berkeley and in 2012’s loss at Stanford—has the final score been a very football-like 21-14 (win or lose).
Credit: USC Athletic Department
Although I am really happy with the Lincoln Riley hire, Oklahoma hiring Venables with possibly Jeff Lubey as OC is the kind of tough, defensive minded head coach with a strong creative OC combo I would have loved. With Venables having strong ties and experience with the program, I think he will talk Bedenbaugh, whose wife is from Oklahoma, to stay
I haven’t counted on Bedenbaugh to USC for several days, easily before Venables became the massively public OU target. If Billy B comes, I’ll just be pleasantly surprised. But Bedenbaugh is not a great recruiter. USC can do a lot better in that dept. Bedenbaugh has a rep for being “stiff.” Will Venables go to the mat to keep Bedenbaugh? I’m still not sure about that, but I think he will.
Riley can succeed very well at USC without Bedenbaugh. JMHO.
Being a good recruiter as a position coach does have its advantages. Still, it seems OU didn’t have a problem signing top linemen if Bedenbaugh was a weak recruiting link. I just wish he would come as he & Riley work so well together in Riley’s offense. Maybe there is another OL coach out there just as good if not better who has vast experience with Riley’s type of air raid?
I never said, nor meant to suggest that Bedenbaugh was “weak” as a recruiter. Sorry if I gave you that impression.
He obviously does just fine. But if Riley can’t get him to come, he can find other OL recruiters out there who recruit exceptionally well.
But the key is Riley wants Billy B (Oklahoma wife and all!) to take the job, the last I heard. He obviously feels very comfortable working with him. So I still hope Riley can bring him in.
To me, the OLine coach hire is the single most important hire outside of DC. It has to be a guy with a strong reputation for developing guys for the NFL. If not him, then maybe the Coach from Iowa or Wisconsin
Jeff Lebby OC Ole Miss, I’m sure Lane who just got a pay bump will push the admin to raise the stakes for Lebby, if not Lane can go after Lebby’s brother in law, Kendal Briles from Ark. Lane knows both well.
Venables has been on staff at OU before so it seems like a Natural fit.
The best thing about last nights game is it is over, the Helton Era, and it’s unforgivable stench are finally behind us. And how appropriate that SC out gains Kal by 150 yards, has double the first downs, but commits two turnovers, can’t score twice inside the ten, and misses two field goals. That game had Gomer written all over it.
Sounds like I didn’t miss much because I chose sleep over a game that started at 11:00 pm.
Well, the six-year experiment in “player centered coaching” is now officially over. Thank God! When I was in college I read a book by Carl Rogers called “Student Centered Education.” It was to become the center of the educational philosophy that was to dominate (and still dominates) our public education system and the educational academic elite. California public schools used to be among the finest in the nation (I was raised there when that was the case). But then California adopted Carl Roger’s approach and they went into the crapper. Clay Helton simply extended that philosophy to football. This year… Read more »
Excellent. USC must return to teamWORK from the depths of Helton infused teamWOKE.
Got up this morning, looked at the final score and felt glad this show is over. Now to patiently watch the reconstruction of a once proud football program. Lets all move on together. We have been up and we have truly been down, and now we have an exciting period ahead of us. Fight On.
I dozed off before the second half began. Did we win? I didn’t think so. Yes. Another new beginning. It will be (1) interesting, (2) exciting, (3) fruitful, (4) fulfilling, (5) a return to the top echelon of college football: hopefully, all of the above.
If Riley can land Domani Jackson after a day Alabama played so well
and USC played…. well 60 guys showed up. Riley would be a magician
of epic proportion.
Ok. Talk to you all soon. We’ve turned the page!
I believe it’s very fitting for USC football to end the 2021 season with this bad loss to CAL, 24-14. There are no illusions.
Alright, nice to tack some garbage fun on there. I’m out. Hey, great season everyone (here, that is)! It’s not like any of us are going anywhere — the interesting part of this all starts tomorrow morning! Sleep up, here we go!
I smell a comeback
Hey, USC didn’t quit. Good for that. It’s not much at this stage, but Lincoln’s got to begin somewhere. And this is a darn good place for him to redirect USC.
RB Brandon Campbell (#25) has possibilities, I do believe.
I’ve said all season that this is the worst USC football team I have ever seen. Tonight I realize it is one of the worst college football teams I have ever seen, period. This is a fitting end to the entire run of Kiffin, Sark, Helton, Williams. It literally looks like an airplane going nose down into the ground. There is truly only one direction for Riley to take this program.
How could anyone leave with 5:37 to go, behind CAL 24-7. History is being made. I’ve got to see the last play of the 2021 Trojan season without a doubt!
I’ve stayed this long, I’ll finish it out.
OLine is probably the worst in all college football. There’s no way around it, They Suck!!!!
Good night to all and the Helton era.
Offensive line should be ashamed of themselves. Goodnight
I literally am laughing. This is just so predictable and tragically bad. I’m actually enjoying this mess knowing it is long gone after the next 12 or so minutes.
Kyle Ford is darn good! This 2021 USC team is simply unforgettable!
Good thing we saved him all year.
Good night gang.
Don’t you want to see if Miller survives the offensive line play.
Who is Brandon Campbell? Love seeing these backups get their shot
Agree, they are full of energy.
ive got moss for 2TD’s this quarter.
My prediction for final CFP rankings:
1 Alabama
2 Michigan
3 Georgia
4 Cincinnati
Agreed.
me too
I hope they just let Miller rip it and throw downfield, instead of playing conservative. There is absolutely nothing to lose at this point
Last quarter of the year, what can we salvage?
Let’s see if Miller can Sling a TD.
The USC Center Curse continues
Neilon has always been subpar. His backup should have been starting for the past 2 seasons.
Not sure what Dart was thinking
this feels right. If you had to draw up a script for the last game of the Helton era, this would. be it.
I would love to see Moss do well
How come that wasn’t reviewed as a targeting call on Dart? It was helmet to helmet
It wasn’t crown tackler kept his head up. I think.
Go Miller! It’s your game to finish up!
It gives me a reason to watch the end of the game.
I still have hope for the Trojans, behind by 10 with a quarter to go.
Both teams are pretty bad. May the worst one lose.
Just what we needed, Dart gets hurt.
Here comes Miller Moss
does USC throw deep go or post routes anymore?
These announcers talking about how good Orlando’s defenses are laughable
I’m hearing CLEM DC Brent Venables looks like he is going to get the OU HC job.
Venables was already at OU as an asst from ’99-11.
Wow, I thought Aranda would get it. OU likes to bring people up so Venables could be a good fit. We can send him Harrell to run the air raid for them at OK.
That makes sense. He is highly thought of in Oklahoma, and won’t cost them as much for his first contract. I’m sure his first task will be trying to keep Bedenbaugh
Venables has turned down a lot of opportunities over the years, and he’s 50 now. I guess the right HC job finally came along for him — the Sooners!
My experience with Venables when publishing SuperPrep was always very positive. Great recruiter.
Like you say, he has had multiple opportunities that he turned down. I think Clemson made him the highest paid DC, with the promise he would succeed Dabo if he left, so he was in a position to pick and choose. I think that would be a great hire for Oklahoma
Agree. Patience really paid off for Venables here. Good guy. Great coordinator and recruiter. Now the biggest questions are, do his abilities transfer well to such a big-time HCing role? The $64,000 question?
He’s jumping into a huge job for his first HC gig, but is qualified to the max!
I hope he calls Harrell.
Laughable stupid penalties backing up the USC offense again. They are allergic to Red Zone success
This team is absolutely pathetic. Not much for Riley to work with.
Close to nothing.
This series has seen three penalties by the offense. WOW
I appreciate Malpei’s effort, and I wish him the best whatever is next for him. But he runs sideways way too much, and he leaves a lot of yards on the table.
Changing the subject. I’m guessing the playoff seed will be Michigan#1, Alabama#2, Cincinnati #3, and Georgia #4. I don’t think the committee wants to see a Alabama/Georgia rematch semifinal. I’m happy for Michigan and Pitt winning. Nice to see somebody else win the Big 10 and ACC titles
Doesn’t #1 play #4 and 2 plays 3?. I see Alabama, Mich, GA, and Cincy.
Yes they do. That’s why I think Michigan will play Georgia, and Alabama will play Cincinnati. Just a wild guess. Your way has the same teams playing. You may be right
I am certain that they will set it up so Alabama has the easiest semi final game, so they will get Cincy. Mich-GA will be a blood bath.
Agree
Andy Enfield linked to Maryland job after Mark Turgeon steps down TrojansWire — “You thought USC coaching carousel talk was done, didn’t you? Think again! The coaching carousel continues to churn. This time it is in the world of college basketball. “On Friday, Maryland and head coach Mark Turgeon agreed to part ways in a move which — while not surprising among Maryland insiders — might have caught other college basketball fans off guard. “One name that popped up at Maryland is USC Trojans head coach Andy Enfield, according to Kevin Sweeney of Sports Illustrated. Here’s the rationale for including Enfield… Read more »
I wonder if this will go on all basketball season. Why bring up names now? Maryland I am sure did not start this. The media again. And would Maryland be a step up from USC? C’mon man.
Bohn’s strategy with Enfield is going to cost him one way or another. He’s lucky he can ride the goodwill from the Riley hire for awhile
Do you think Bohn will lose Enfield SDT?
If he waits til the end of the season, and Enfield continues to excel with this team this year, and finishes top two in the conference, and makes a decent run in NCAA tourney, then definitely, because I don’t think Bohn will be able to match what will be offered by others like Maryland. Enfield has already proven he can recruit
Maybe Bohn and Enfield are talking now? Bohn’s the guy with the secret plans, remember?
Is it possible to have the whole team enter the transfer portal? I don’t see anyone worth keeping next season. This defense couldn’t stop a bowling ball rolling up hill. The offense is running like a Swiss… housewife when they yodel it’s “your old lady too.”
I can’t wait for the second half.
Did you mean to say you can’t wait for the second half to be over?
From what I have seen going into the portal that last few days we may want to keep a few guys. Not to many real good players in the portal yet, a few but not a lot.
Riley must be having second thoughts if he’s watching this debacle. I wonder if his contract includes a clause requiring Bohn and Folt to hire an exorcist to rid Heritage Hall of any vestiges of Clay Helton that may linger there.
I heard that they tented Heritage Hall and have begun to fumigate it.
Cal totally sucks and is kicking USC’s ass. Even Dart is not much help.
2 more quarters and the new era begins!!!
I hope this new era includes a defense
Donte has no idea what he is doing.
Sheesh, Donte is so not ready to be a head coach. That was some horrible clock management.
Our kicker now sucks. What happened to him?
Bad attitude no doubt.
Why no time out?
This is just another reason Donte is not head coach material