ARLINGTON, Texas — When Denis Lynch’s field goal put USC up by 15 with 4:30 left in the Cotton Bowl, it felt like the Trojans should have the game wrapped up. It would take a perfect storm of events for Tulane to have a chance.
But that is exactly what happened.
It took only 23 seconds for Tulane to score a touchdown, with Deuce Watts picking up 59 yards on a reception and Tyjae Spears punching it into the end zone the next play. Then Mario Williams fumbled the kickoff out of bounds at the USC 1. Rather than a quick pass to gain breathing room, USC ran the ball twice, and on the second play Austin Jones was tackled in the end zone for a safety.
