Ted trolls the Trojans
Like his team's, Kessler’s résumé is imperfect. The numbers say Kessler produced one of the best years a USC quarterback has ever had in 2014 -- 39 touchdowns, just five interceptions -- but he’s as aware as anyone that he and the offense feasted on the weak and struggled against their best foes. Kessler tossed four touchdowns and three picks against four teams that finished ranked, averaging nearly two yards less per attempt. Most notably, Kessler has not played well in two meetings against archrival UCLA, which probably has no interest in yielding its newfound status as the No. 1 football program in Los Angeles.
Kessler doesn’t hide from the criticism of skeptics who note his faltering in big games, and his coach, Steve Sarkisian, isn’t against noting it either.
"The big thing for Cody is, how does he play at his best at the biggest moments?" Sarkisian said. "That’s something that, if you really want to leave a legacy, that’s what you do. You’re at your best at the biggest moments."
In a 2014 season of tight Pac-12 matchups, USC went 4-3 in games decided by eight points or fewer
"The biggest thing we’ve emphasized is finishing games," Kessler said. "Everyone saw it. We lost the Arizona State game on a Hail Mary. The Utah game we lost on the last play. If we finish those games, 9-4 turns into 11-2."
Like his team's, Kessler’s résumé is imperfect. The numbers say Kessler produced one of the best years a USC quarterback has ever had in 2014 -- 39 touchdowns, just five interceptions -- but he’s as aware as anyone that he and the offense feasted on the weak and struggled against their best foes. Kessler tossed four touchdowns and three picks against four teams that finished ranked, averaging nearly two yards less per attempt. Most notably, Kessler has not played well in two meetings against archrival UCLA, which probably has no interest in yielding its newfound status as the No. 1 football program in Los Angeles.
Kessler doesn’t hide from the criticism of skeptics who note his faltering in big games, and his coach, Steve Sarkisian, isn’t against noting it either.
"The big thing for Cody is, how does he play at his best at the biggest moments?" Sarkisian said. "That’s something that, if you really want to leave a legacy, that’s what you do. You’re at your best at the biggest moments."
In a 2014 season of tight Pac-12 matchups, USC went 4-3 in games decided by eight points or fewer
"The biggest thing we’ve emphasized is finishing games," Kessler said. "Everyone saw it. We lost the Arizona State game on a Hail Mary. The Utah game we lost on the last play. If we finish those games, 9-4 turns into 11-2."
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