Podcast | USC Overtime: USC defines its season in the Pac-12 championship game - Los Angeles Times

Podcast | USC Overtime: USC defines its season in the Pac-12 championship game

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USC quarterback Sam Darnold (14) scrambles against Stanford during the first half of the Pac-12 championship game at Levi’s Stadium.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

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USC running back Ronald Jones II fights off the tackle of Stanford tk Justin Reid as he runs for an eight-yard touchdown during the Pac-12 championship game at Levi’s Stadium.

(Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

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USC receiver Michael Pittman Jr., center, is congratulated by Sam Darnold (14) and Deontay Burnett (80) after his touchdown reception against Stanford.

(Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

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Stanford’s Cameron Scarlett comes up a yard short of the goal line against the USC during the Pac-12 championship game at Levi’s Stadium.

(Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

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USC receiver Tyler Vaughns dives into the endzone for a touchdown against Stanford during the Pac-12 championship game at Levi’s Stadium.

(Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

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USC quarterback Sam Darnold looks to pass against Stanford during the Pac-12 championship game at Levi’s Stadium.

(Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

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Stanford running back Bryce Love scores on a nine-yard touchdown run against USC before halftime of the Pac-12 championship game at Levi’s Stadium.

(Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

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USC cornerback Jack Jones is called for pass interference on Stanford receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside during the Pac-12 championship game at Levi’s Stadium.

(Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

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Stanford running back Bryce Love (20) is congratulated by his Cardinal teammates after scoring a touchdown against USC in the Pac-12 championship game at Levi’s Stadium.

(Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

By Zach Helfand

Dec. 2, 2017 11:45 AM PT

Bill Plaschke and Zach Helfand discuss how the Pac-12 championship game was a neat encapsulation of USC’s season: sometimes frustrating, closer than it needed to be and, ultimately, a victory.

Plus:

What did athletic director Lynn Swann say about Clay Helton?
Will Ronald Jones II go pro — and if so, will he play in USC’s bowl game? Will Sam Darnold?
What does Helton think of USC’s playoff chances?
If they don’t make the playoffs, what bowl game might the Trojans play in?
And how did USC stop Stanford on the goal line?

Plus, we’ll take your calls, and you’ll hear interviews with Helton, Jones and Chris Hawkins.

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[email protected]

Twitter: @zhelfand

Zach Helfand is a former sports reporter for the Los Angeles Times. He is a proud New Jerseyan and Michigan graduate and previously interned with The Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Baltimore Sun, USA Today and the Trentonian (N.J.).

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