"We always try to make it exciting," USC head coach Steve Sarkisian said. "We make it entertaining for everybody."
"ASU game," running back Buck Allen said matter of fact. "That went through my head for a quick second."
Cornerback Kevon Seymour added: "We didn't want a repeat of the Arizona State game."
This time would be different, however. The pass was incomplete. There was no miscommunication. Everyone, to a man, knew their assignment and the Nebraska fail ended up in success for the Trojans.
"We got box out guys and then we got guys that (are) jumpers (on Hail Mary's)," Seymour said. "We've been working on that all through the season since (the) Arizona State (game)."
Added Sarkisian: "We got (wide receivers) JuJu (Smith) and Nelson (Agholor) on the field. Nelson made a heck of a play to go attack the football. At the end of the day you can only get burned so many times, I guess, so let's just get the ball on the ground and that's kind of what I was hoping for."
In a game in which the Trojans gave up a season-high 17 points in the first quarter, they were held scoreless in the fourth. This, after scoring 21 points in the third quarter alone to take a commanding 45-27 lead over the Cornhuskers.
USC QB @CodyKessler6 was awarded the 2014 Holiday Bowl Offensive Player of the Game. #FightOn
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 28, 2014
It was a fitting end to Steve Sarkisian's inaugural season in which USC has had its issues closing out games.
In addition to the aforementioned Arizona State Hail Mary, the team was a missed field goal away from giving up a late lead at Arizona and dropping one. Utah scored in the final seconds of the game to defeat USC. Even Cal, came back and made it a one possession game after trailing 31-9 at the half.
Third quarters have been an issue and, for that matter, fourth quarters as well. But on a chilly, San Diego night the team found itself in another close game, late, and was able to come away victorious for their ninth win of the season and second bowl win in as many seasons.
Here are the highlights from USC's Holiday Bowl victory over Nebraska including 2 TDs from freshman Adoree' Jackson. http://t.co/gvfhf0BNzg
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 28, 2014
"I'm happy for these guys because they work every day," Sarkisian said. "At the end of the day, that, to me, is a really cool sign of the character of this team of where we're headed and what we're doing. We have people in our organization that work. As hard as it can get and as tough as it gets, we're at our best, and that, to me, is just awesome."
