The Trojans had had a good two weeks of practice to prepare for Colorado. While the offense had improved, their defense took a significant step forward with the help of the bye week. They’d started to look like last year’s defense, and if that were the case, USC could win their division.
This game would go a long way toward that goal.
Today’s kickoff was at 10:30 in the morning and televised on FS1. David’s parents had decided that they would bypass tailgating this week because of the early-morning kickoff. They were also leaving all the munchkins at home. David had given the extra tickets for his parents’
box to Sadie and her mom. Lisa was too sick to leave the hospital, so Sadie brought some of her friends from school.
David had been told that Lisa wouldn’t be with them much longer, so he hoped the game might get her little sister’s mind off of what was to come. So, when the team made their walk from the buses to the stadium, he was happy to see Sadie with her friends. He noted that they were all wearing USC jerseys with his number on them, which was no doubt his mom’s doing.
The warmth of his smile echoed in his voice. “You made it!”
“We did. My mom even got the day off from work,” Sadie replied, smiling to herself as she spoke.
Lexi had said that Lisa’s GoFundMe page was now up and running, and he might have made a donation to prime the pump. With the financial stress somewhat relieved, David was glad to see that her mom could cut back on her work hours, so she had time to spend with family.
“I have to get going. Be sure to cheer for me,” David said as he gave his little friend a hug.
As he walked by his parents, his mom gave him an approving look.
◊◊◊
Coach Merritt was in rare form for his pregame speech.
“You’ve stacked days to get better and more consistent.
We’ve put in the effort, and I can promise you we’ve gotten back our toughness. We will be unrelenting on defense. The offense will win us games, but the defense wins championships. We’re not here to stuff the stat sheet. We all came to USC to win National Championships. We need to get back to basics, grind it out, and do our jobs. If each of you does your job, we will win.
“If our team is one-fifth as hungry as our fanbase today, we’ll put Colorado down like Travis did Old Yeller.
“Now go out there and do your job!” Coach Merritt’s voice rang with command.
David wasn’t sure if he should fall down laughing at the Old Yeller comment or run through a wall for Coach Merritt. Who knew his coach could read? More likely, he watched the movie.
Willie got them organized and took them down to the tunnel. Once the TV crew was ready, they released them to run out onto the field. There were greeted by a sea of cardinal and gold—75,000-plus fans—cheering them on.
They all knew how important this game was. If USC won, then they held their destiny in their hands. They would have the head-to-head against Colorado if they both managed to win out. The tie-breaker would make USC
champions of the Pac-12 South.
While the pregame fanfare went on, David grabbed Bill so he could throw him some balls to stay loose.
“You’re not barfing today,” Bill quipped.
When the nerves got the better of David, his stomach rebelled. Today, he felt relaxed.
“I thought I would save that for the one that counts at the end of the year, Notre Dame,” David said with a steely edge.
Of all the games left on the schedule, that was the one he wanted to win. He grew up in the shadow of Notre Dame, which was considered college football royalty. Heck, they had their own TV network to broadcast their games, NBC—which everyone back home called Notre Dame Broadcasting Company.
“Good. I want to beat those bastards this year. My cousins are huge Golden Domers fans and remind me at Christmas when we lose to them,” Bill said with pinched lips.
The USC versus Notre Dame rivalry had been going on since 1926, and the Irish had dominated the Trojans for the last few years.
“We’ll worry about that when the time comes. Let’s focus on the Buffaloes.”
The first quarter went as Coach Merritt had planned it.
You would think you were watching an old-school Big Ten game as both teams tried to establish the run. Colorado’s first four possessions were three plays, and they had to punt. USC didn’t do much better with their first four turns on offense by racking up three punts and an interception.
Colorado had the ball on their own forty to start their fifth drive. They handed the ball off to their primary running back, who gained nine yards. On second down, he reran it, but USC’s defense shut him down for no gain.
On third down, Colorado went off-book. Before the snap, they sent their quarterback in motion to take a wide receiver position. It left one running back deep and another closer to the line, with the tight end also in the backfield in what was called a Wildcat formation. That was where the running back took a direct snap from the center.
The USC defense looked confused as the ball was put into play. The tight end and lead running back were lined up on the right side of the center. The lead running back dove into the guard-tackle hole on the snap. Their running back with the ball made a hard jab step as if to follow his lead blocker. The tight end and right guard pulled left, and the guard helped double-team Percy at the defensive end spot.
He’d been in their backfield more than they wanted, so they made sure to take him out of the play. The tight end scraped off the back of their blocks and led the ball carrier downfield. He engaged Todd, at outside linebacker, just long enough for his runner to get to the open field. In the blink of an eye, he was fifteen yards downfield.
David groaned when he saw no one was going to catch him. Colorado had struck first for a 7–0 lead.
Then, on USC’s fifth possession, Coach Merritt allowed Coach Thomas to open up his playbook.
The Trojans had good field position after an excellent kickoff return. David led his team out and got them lined up. He was under center as he looked over the defensive alignment he was facing. Colorado’s front seven had been flying to the ball all game. Their body language told him they expected him to hand the ball off once again.
David called the count, and Willie snapped the ball.
David turned right and held the ball out for Marcus, only to pull it back and make a seven-step drop. As he set up, his first read was to Amari at wide receiver. The Colorado defender was scrambling to catch up because he’d assumed run.
David took a bit off the ball because Amari tended to drop passes if they had too much on them. The lanky receiver gathered it in and stumbled his way to a twenty-nine-yard gain. The ball was now on the Buffaloes’ thirty.
David hustled his men to the ball and called a quick snap count. He dropped back and saw Amari racing down the sideline with three steps on his defender. David lofted the ball toward the end zone to take his shot, and Amari caught it to tie up the game.
Colorado continued to go three-and-out in the second quarter, but USC wasn’t doing much better.
With four minutes left in the half, USC went back on offense. On the first play, Marcus was stuffed in the backfield for a four-yard loss. David could see the frustration building with his teammates, so he huddled them up. He checked the sideline and saw the play signaled.