College Football

College football top plays: Utah wins Pac-12 title, USC's CFP hopes dashed

Updated Dec. 2, 2022 11:56 p.m. ET

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There was more than a Pac-12 championship at stake when No. 4 USC met up with No. 11 Utah on Friday night in Las Vegas.

For the Trojans, a victory would have meant entry into the College Football Playoff, the first visit ever for USC and the first for the Pac-12 since Washington in the 2016 season.

For the Utes, a victory would have meant successfully spoiling things for a school set to leave the conference for the Big Ten, and defending their title from last season. 

And Utah was able to do exactly that. 

Here are the highlights from the Pac-12 Championship Game.

No. 11 Utah 47, No. 4 USC 24

Magic man

If the Utes weren't worried about slowing down Caleb Williams before the game, they're worried now, as he got it going early in the first quarter via this dime downfield. 

That was quick

The Trojans are on the board on their drive, after Williams found Tahj Washington for a short TD.

Caleb Williams finds Tahj Washington for the score

USC's Caleb Williams finds Tahj Washington for a 2-yard touchdown to give the Trojans a 7-0 lead over Utah.

Caleb is HIM

After Utah put three on the board, it was eventually Williams' turn again.

First, the 59-yard scramble…

USC's Caleb Williams runs wild

Caleb Williams picked up 59 yards on this run, putting the Trojans in scoring position late in the first frame.

… then, a few plays later, the short TD pass on fourth-and-2 to give USC at 14-3 lead in the first quarter.

Caleb Williams finds Raleek Brown for another first-quarter score

USC's Caleb Williams connected with Raleek Brown for the 3-yard TD to make it 14-3 for the Trojans.

Trojans have it!

After adding a field goal to take a 17-3 lead, USC turned a big play for Utah into a turnover.

Back at U

Utah is right back in it, scoring on this short run from Ja'Quinden Jackson late in the second quarter to make it 17-10.

Down goes Caleb

The Utes have seized the momentum, and they finally brought Williams down to earth with this sack.

It's tied!

After USC's blazing start, the Utes settled in and have knotted things at halftime, via a 4-yard TD pass from Cameron Rising to Jaylen Dixon with two seconds to go in the second quarter.

Utah's Cameron Rising finds Jaylen Dixon for the TD

Utah Utes' Cameron Rising finds Jaylen Dixon for the 4-yard TD to tie it up at 17 against the USC Trojans.

Near disaster

USC barely avoided an all-time blunder just before half!

Defense wins

Utah is clicking on all cylinders defensively, dropping Williams again early in the second half. 

Money parks it in the end zone

The man is money.

It's now 21 unanswered points for the Utes, after this 57-yard TD pass from Rising to Money Parks.

Down goes Williams

Another big Utah sack has USC and its quarterback reeling. 

Rising falling

Cam Rising has been the man on Friday night in Vegas … but he got the short-end of the stick on this one.

Big hit aside, the Utes were able to put another three on the board right as the fourth quarter began, and they now lead 27-17.

Trojans storming back

Williams is clearly struggling, but it hasn't stopped him from keeping USC in the game.

After that mad dash, Williams found Mario Williams for the TD to make the score 27-24.

Caleb Williams finds Mario Williams for the 12-yard touchdown

Caleb Williams finds Mario Williams for the 12-yard touchdown and cuts the Utah Utes' lead to 27-24.

Yass!

On Utah's next possession, the Utes regained their 10-point lead when Thomas Yassmin went beast mode on this 60-yard score. 

Utah's Cameron Rising finds Thomas Yassmin for the 60-yard TD

Cameron Rising finds Thomas Yassmin for the 60-yard TD for the Utah Utes to take a 34-24 lead.

Wide open!

USC won't go away that easy. And on fourth down, a hobbled Caleb Williams found Jordan Addison down the sideline.

Picked!

Williams threw only his fourth interception of the year, as he was picked off by R.J. Hubert with just under seven minutes to go in the game.

J.J. to the house!

A CFP berth is looking slim for USC. 

Ja'Quinden Jackson put more points on the board for Utah with this 53-yard scamper to give the Utes a 40-24 lead late in the fourth. 

All but over

Micah Bernard ran over USC defenders on his way to the end zone, giving Utah a commanding 47-24 lead.

And with that last score, that was it: Utah is back-to-back Pac-12 champions, and USC is surely out of contention for the College Football Playoff. 

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CFB - Utah Utes vs. USC Trojans - 12/03/2022