Very little has gone right for No. 10 USC Saturday evening against No. 21 Notre Dame.
The Trojans went down 24–3 in the first half, kicking a late field goal to trim the margin to 18 at the intermission. Quarterback Caleb Williams threw three interceptions in the worst half of his storied career. In a game where USC’s much-maligned defense rose to the occasion at times, its offense was dormant.
One play, however, summed up the Trojans’ futility.
In the second half, USC wide receiver Tahj Washington attempted to run a routine route … only to smack straight into the umpire and fall harmlessly to the turf.
That kind of night for USC pic.twitter.com/AWpLkTF9Ka
— Ian Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) October 15, 2023
It’s hardly the first instance of a referee inadvertently trucking a player—it happened in Boston College's 27-24 win over Army on Oct. 7, and older fans will recall former Kentucky linebacker-turned-official Wilbur Hackett Jr. bowling over South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia in 2008.
However, few instances of accidental referee-on-player violence have approached the symbolism of Washington's slip for the fading Trojans in South Bend, Ind..
