LOS ANGELES (AP) — Many followers and different observers thought Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s efficiency towards Southern California final yr was an emphatic last chapter to his UCLA profession.
It was removed from it.
Thompson-Robinson determined to return for a fifth season in Westwood as a result of he nonetheless had a lot to show. His encore yr and Caleb Williams’ arrival after Lincoln Riley was employed at USC set the stage for among the best faculty soccer seasons in Los Angeles since 2005.
It has led to Saturday’s much-anticipated Crosstown Showdown because the No. 16 Bruins (8-2, 5-2 Pac-12) host the seventh-ranked Trojans (9-1, 7-1). The recreation bought out even after UCLA raised the capability on the Rose Bowl to almost 71,000.
The recreation’s 92nd version may also characteristic a milestone. It is the primary during which each LA faculties are led by a Black quarterback.
“It’s very rare in 2022 when you can sit and be witness to history like that. And certainly, I think we’re all going to be lucky for that,” stated Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt. “I think the two are going to put on an absolute show. I would be shocked if this game wasn’t one of the higher-scoring games we’ve seen this year.”
The recreation was on observe to be the primary time since 1988 that each groups have been ranked within the high 10 earlier than UCLA’s disappointing 34-28 loss to Arizona final Saturday. After each groups have been unranked within the matchup three of the earlier 4 seasons, it’s the first time in 17 years each groups are within the high 16.
It can also be shaping up to be the very best QB matchup for the reason that 1988 recreation when UCLA’s Troy Aikman opposed USC’s Rodney Peete.
UCLA and Thompson-Robinson have bragging rights after final yr’s 62-33 victory, the place he accounted for six touchdowns (4 passing, two speeding). He hurdled a USC cornerback en route to one landing after which signed a hat for a 12-year-old USC fan after scoring one other.
On Monday, he didn’t waste any time fanning the flames of the rivalry.
“Obviously, we hate those guys across town. It’s a bitter feeling with those guys,” Thompson-Robinson stated. “We want to be even better (than last year). We want to break 60 and all that stuff. We’re trying to improve on everything we’ve done this year and maximize our game that way.”
Thompson-Robinson will make his fifth look and fourth begin towards the Trojans. Kedon Slovis outdueled him in 2019 and ’20 earlier than final yr’s revenge. Three of Thompson-Robinson’s six 300-yard passing video games have come towards the Trojans.
While final yr’s recreation is undoubtedly a spotlight, Thompson-Robinson nonetheless dwells on the 2020 recreation during which the Trojans rallied for a 43-38 victory. That recreation was performed in an empty Rose Bowl due to the COVID-19 pandemic and magnified each groups’ trash discuss.
“I remember it clear as day, cussing at us, flipping us off, as disrespectful as you can get,” he stated. “We know what’s at stake and what it means to our fans and this community. We’ve got to go out there and win this game.”
Williams is dealing with the Bruins for the primary time, however he’s properly acquainted with rivalry video games. Last season at Oklahoma, he entrenched himself because the Sooners’ quarterback by coming in throughout the second quarter of the Red River Rivalry towards Texas. He additionally performed within the Bedlam Game towards Oklahoma State.
“Caleb has played not only in rivalry games but big games with title implications. I like where our guy has been and the battles he has been in,” Riley stated.
Thompson-Robinson and Williams have each been efficient leaders whereas placing up nice seasons. Thompson-Robinson — who has not missed a recreation for the primary time in his profession — is third nationally in completion proportion (.710) and 14th in passing effectivity (160.1). He is on the helm of a UCLA offense that’s the just one nationally to exceed 2,400 speeding yards and a couple of,600 passing yards.
Williams has vaulted into Heisman Trophy consideration with 4 straight video games the place he has accounted for 5 touchdowns. He is third nationally with 28 passing TDs.
The most spectacular stat for Williams is that he has thrown solely two interceptions in 342 makes an attempt.
“I’m trying to be consistent, that’s the one thing you want to try to do as a quarterback,” he stated. “If I can be consistent overall as a leader and as a passer it helps out the team in other ways. Turning over the ball is one of the ways a team can lose games. I try to put my receivers in the best position.”
The unlucky factor for followers is that, barring each groups getting to the Pac-12 title recreation in two weeks in Las Vegas, this would be the solely collegiate matchup between Thompson-Robinson and Williams.
Thompson-Robinson will participate in Senior Day festivities earlier than the sport. He already has essentially the most profession begins by a UCLA quarterback (his forty sixth will likely be Saturday) and is the chief in landing passes (81) with extra faculty data in vary.
Williams is attempting to preserve USC within the College Football Playoff dialog however has been philosophical about what he wants to do to enhance.
“There’s a lot more that I don’t know and that I’m itching to know. How I can be better as a leader and play better,” he stated.
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