USC Morning Links: Trojans Missed Chances, Injuries Lead Prep for Utah and other links

Trojans miss chances to steal one in ugly loss to Irish

(Bill Dwyre | Los Angeles Times)

"There was some good, some bad and lots of ugly in Notre Dame’s 14-10 victory over USC here Saturday night. The ugly defined the entire second half. There was no scoring, lots of penalties and more players on the turf with game-stopping injuries than there were first downs. The only second-half battle the Trojans ended up winning, on this chilly night in the usual jam-packed Notre Dame Stadium, was the battle of first downs. USC had four, Notre Dame three.Yes, it was that ugly."

6-Points: Notre Dame 14, USC 10

(Jordan Moore | USC Rips It)

"By the end of the game, the USC sideline looked like a triage unit.  They were running out of room on the trainer’s table.  During the game, the Trojans lost WR Marqise Lee, RB Justin Davis, TE Xavier Grimble and WR Darreus Rogers to injury from an offense that was already decimated.  Nevertheless, USC brought an emotional intensity and effort that warmed the head coach’s heart.  “I’m just proud of our guys,” said Ed Orgeron. “We came together as a family tonight.  We came here as one; we leave here as one.  One team, one heartbeat.”  USC QB Cody Kessler seconded the notion despite the disappointment, “This one hurt.  I’m so proud of this team.  Obviously it didn’t go our way tonight but they fought so hard.”"

USC still has issues on offense

(Will Laws | Daily Trojan)

"Even with “Darth Visor” no longer roaming the USC sideline, questionable coaching decisions and stagnant offensive play down the stretch hamstrung the Trojans as they suffered a 14-10 loss that was tough to watch for most of the second half."

Beat up Trojans begin preparations for Utah

(Rahshaun Haylock | Fox Sports)

"It was loss No. 3 on the season for the USC Trojans (4-3, 1-2 Pac-12), who left South Bend on the short end of a 14-10 battle. It was also loss No. 8 in the last 13 games. Under interim head coach Ed Orgeron, it’s loss No. 1. That is the message Orgeron is hoping to get through to his football team. It’s a message that’s centered around positivity."