Utah wide receiver Luca Caldarella, left, celebrates a touchdown pass by USC defensive end Calen Bullock in the Pac-12 Championship at Allegiant Stadium on Friday, December 2, 2022 in Las Vegas, CA. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Utah pulled away from USC in the second half to win the Pac-12 Championship Game 47-24 on Friday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
It’s the second straight Pac-12 crown for the Utes, who return to the Rose Bowl.
For USC, the loss could cost them a shot at the College Football Playoff. The Trojans entered the week ranked No. 4, so it will be up to the committee to decide if they will drop below No. 5 Ohio State, which does not play this week.
It was an impressive turn of events after a bright start by USC quarterback Caleb Williams and his offense. Williams, the Heisman Trophy favorite, was in total command, and USC appeared to be well on its way to both a conference title and a shot at the national championship with an early 17-3 lead.
But Utah’s defense found a way to catch him, and the star QB seemed to limp as the game wore on. Their limited mobility slowed the Trojans down, while Utah simply kept scoring and never looked back.