USC QB Cody Kessler: “Don’t Ever Question Our Heart”

Nov 30, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Anthony Barr (11) celebrates with defensive end Ellis McCarthy (90) after sacking Southern California Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) in the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cody Kessler, USC’s redshirt sophomore quarterback released a statement on Twitter Sunday taking responsibility for the 35-14 loss to UCLA and urging fans to be understanding about the circumstances surrounding the Trojans this season.

“If you want to say we didn’t play good then that’s fine,” Kessler said. “But don’t ever question our heart or say we don’t care.”

USC was clearly outplayed by the Bruins, who now own a two-game win streak over the Trojans, but Kessler insists that the loss had nothing to do with a lack of preparation, effort or coaching.

“Don’t blame Coach O or any other coach either. If you feel the need to put the blame on someone then put it on me. I’ll take the blame.”

Kessler struggled against UCLA, taking six sacks, fumbling twice and missing receivers throughout the night.

He didn’t stop at taking the blame either. Reminding everyone that a bowl game awaits, the quarterback stressed, in Tebow-like fashion, that the Trojans will not be giving up.

“We still have one game left with this unique team and then next year I promise we will continue to fight and be back stronger than ever!”

Here is the statement in full:

"No one is hurting more than me after last night’s loss. There’s a lot of negative stuff out there ripping us, our effort and our heart, which is unfortunate because we put everything we had into preparing for and playing that game. If you want to say we didn’t play good then that’s fine but don’t ever question our heart or say we don’t care. What this team did is nothing short of amazing and I’m so proud to be apart of this team and this Trojan family. We were 3-2 and could have easily gave up on this season but instead Coach O took over and we all came together as one family and did some great things this year. No one understands what this team has gone through and what kind of adversity we have faced, from injuries, lower amount of players than any other team, and a coaching change, yet this team kept fighting. We still have one game left with this unique team and then next year I promise we will continue to fight and be back stronger than ever! I absolutely love my team and would not want to play for anyone else in the Nation. Don’t blame Coach O or any other coach either. If you feel the need to put the blame on someone then put it on me. I’ll take the blame. FIGHT ON FOREVER."