Be Careful What You Ask For

Don't you just love when grown men feel the need to show whose is bigger? In a classic battle of egos, an otherwise dreary crosstown rivalry turned into a pissing contest. With 52 seconds remaining and a 14 point lead, USC quarterback Matt Barkley took the snap and dropped to a knee to begin running the clock out. Apparently, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel decided that he would decide when the game was over as he called his first of three timeouts to extend the game. With a third down play coming and UCLA still with two timeouts, USC could have run one more play and punted the ball back to the Bruins with around 40 seconds remaining. Pete Carrol, however, decided that if Neuheisel wanted to keep playing, he would oblige. Barkley took the third down snap, faked the hand off and threw a 48 yard touchdown to Damian Williams. UCLA took offense and benches cleared as the USC team celebrated on their sideline and the Bruins left their sideline to cross the field. To me, two things stand out about the situation.

First. If Rick Neuheisel is going to call timeout and extend the game, he has to have his team ready to play defense. Was it the best idea for USC to throw the ball deep? Maybe not, but this is a rivalry game. If the winning team has already decided to take a knee and let the game end, you have to let it be. It is hard to agree with the argument that Pete Carrol showed no class and poor sportsmanship when he directed his team to take a knee in the first place. If UCLA wanted to decide when the game was over, they should have played better and been in the lead. Otherwise, if you want the game to continue; you better keep playing.

Second. It is rather comical to hear fans talk about how classless this move was by USC when two weeks ago they defended Stanford's decision to go for two when the game was a blowout. Going for two simply to try and reach 50 points when a game is clearly out reach is a completely different move. Had USC gone for two after the touchdown, you could use the comparison. If you approve of Stanford's move, you do not have a leg to stand on in arguing against USC's late touchdown.