Dec 31, 2012; El Paso, TX, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Vad Lee (2) is pursued by Southern California Trojans linebacker Hayes Pullard (10) and defensive end Wes Horton (96) in the second quarter in the 2012 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets beat the USC Trojans 21-7 in the Hyundai Sun Bowl, handing the Trojans their 6th loss in a season for the first time since 2001.

It was a season full of could have beens and should have beens for USC and now finally, mercifully, it is over. In August, Trojan fans could not wait for the season to begin and now four long months later, they wanted nothing more than for it to end. In their first bowl appearance since the 2009 season, the Trojans underachieved just as the had done all season, with uninspiring play-calling and a lifeless offense.

The Trojans ended the game with just 11 first downs in what was one of their worst performances to date. Max Wittek, in his second ever start, showed his inexperience and lack of poise by throwing bad passes and staring down his receivers all game. He finished the night 14 of 37 for 107 yards, one touchdown and three picks.

For Georgia Tech, they did everything right to capitalize on USC’s struggles. They effectively ran the ball right through USC’s secondary, and the Trojans did nothing to stop it. The only group that played well was the defensive line, which got sufficient pressure on Yellow Jackets QB Vad Lee and forced two fumbles. But Max Wittek’s inability to keep the offense on the field ultimately was the demise of USC.

The Yellow Jackets held the Trojans to just 205 yards, something incomprehensible when one remembers who USC touts on offense.

USC finishes 7-6, after a season full of expectations and hype. All that is left to be said is that their 2012 season is officially over, and with Signing Day 45 days away, USC can close the door on this year and wait for 2013′s to open.

It surely should be a better season than this one was.

Dec 31, 2012; El Paso, TX, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Vad Lee (2) carries the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the 2012 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

After a lackluster first half, Georgia Tech cranked it up a notch at the beginning of the third quarter, when Jamal Golden returned USC’s 58-yard punt to the one-yard line. From there, Tevin Washington punched it in to extend their lead to 14-7.

Third quarter struggles continued all around for USC, something they have notoriously done all season. QB Max Wittek began to show his inexperience and nervousness, throwing telegraphed passes or errant ones altogether.

The Trojans and Yellow Jackets went tit for tat for a number of series without really moving the ball, but an untimely gaffe from Georgia Tech put some wind back in USC’s sails. The Trojans had just gone three-and-out and Kyle Negrete took the field. His punt made contact with a Georgia Tech player, and WR Nelson Agholor made the head-up play to go after the ball. He dove on it before getting rocked by a Yellow Jacket player, and the Trojans got to keep the ball in their possession.

It didn’t matter much, because USC went three-and-out on the following series.

The third quarter ended in abismal fashion, with Georgia Tech simply running out the clock.

Neither team has given an inspiring performance through three quarters, and there is little indication that the fourth quarter will be any different.

For USC to turn this in their favor, they need to find a way to get things clicking on offense. If they continue to go three-and-out, the Trojan defense will not have enough steam to continue to move Georgia Tech off the field.

Dec. 31, 2012; El Paso, TX, USA; USC Trojans running back Silas Redd (25) breaks a tackle by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets linebacker Brandon Watts (11) during the first half during the Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The scoreboard finally lit up in the second quarter after Georgia Tech succinctly marched down the field culminating in QB Vad Lee connecting with David Sims in the endzone.

After a strong performance in the first quarter, the Trojan defense came unglued slightly once the Yellow Jackets started opening up the passing game. If USC cannot find away to contain them through the air, Georgia Tech will run away with this one.

Offensively for USC, they have yet to pick up the tempo or play with any kind of urgency or creativity. Be it three wide receiver sets, passing strictly out of the Shot Gun formation or trying to run it up the gut from Power-I, the Trojans have not made it difficult for Georgia Tech to defend them. The Yellow Jackets even gave the Trojans a scare when on third down, Max Wittek threw a screen pass to RB Curtis McNeal who bobbled it and saw it subsequently recovered by Georgia Tech. The play was ultimately deemed an incompletion and not a fumble, but the Trojans had to punt it away nonetheless.

USC almost caught a break on Georgia Tech’s drive, when Vad Lee through a perfect pass right to Trojan LB Lamar Dawson. With the momentum finally swinging in their favor, Max Wittek threw a poor pass and Georgia Tech’s Rod Sweeting was all over it. But Georgia Tech apparently did not want the ball either, because on their next play they coughed it up when USC DE Morgan Breslin brought heavy pressure on Lee.

USC settled down a bit after the back-to-back-to-back turnovers, and put together a quality drive for the first time on the afternoon. Wittek connected with WR Robert Woods over the middle for 23 yards, and then Redd ate up 20 more yards down the sideline before he was finally dragged down. Wittek then hit Redd from nine yards out, and an early candidate for Play of the Day ensued: Redd judged the swing pass, bobbled it, brought it into his body and dove for the pylon, all in one fluid motion.

The Trojans tied it at seven just as the half was coming to a close, and will carry the momentum out of the half when they take over on downs again.

Both teams have much to work on if they want to make this Sun Bowl interesting, as the first half has been sloppy and filled with poor decisions.

The Yellow Jackets have 163 total yards to USC’s 116. Max Wittek has completed seven of 13 passes for 58 yards and one touchdown, while GA Tech’s Vad Lee has completed two of four passes for 26 yards and a touchdown.