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Takeaways from UCLA’s win over crosstown rival USC

By Lamarr Fields

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Running back Joshua Kelley #27 of the UCLA Bruins pushes off cornerback Ajene Harris #27 of the USC Trojans during the second half of a football game at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Running back Joshua Kelley #27 of the UCLA Bruins pushes off cornerback Ajene Harris #27 of the USC Trojans during the second half of a football game at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA Bruins got the best of the USC Trojans on Saturday and after a full day of analyzing, here are my two biggest takeaways.

The UCLA Bruins beat cross-town rival USC this past weekend 34-27 at the Rose Bowl. This win was huge for the Bruins and head coach Chip Kelly. Coming into the game with a 2-7 record, the Bruins needed this win for LA bragging rights and confidence building.

The USC Trojans came into the game at a disappointing 5-5, and with the loss, they are now 5-6 and look poorly coached. Losing to a 2-7 team in the battle of LA is not a good look for the Trojans. The lost will get the powers at USC turning.

Here is what I took away from the contest.

Josh Kelley is a beast 

2018 has not been a good year for the Bruins but the one bright spot this season has been Joshua Kelley. Against USC, Kelley had 289 yards rushing on 40 carries. Kelley averaged 7.2 yards a carry with two touchdowns. His 55-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave UCLA the lead as they went on to win.

So far this season, Kelley has 1,188 rushing yards and is UCLA’s first 1000-yard rusher since Paul Perkins did it in 2015.

Kelley has six 100-yard games, this coming from a guy who barely played the first three weeks on the season. Through the first few weeks, he struggled but managed to keep his head up and stay positive and make a good season out of it.

Clay Helton is in big trouble

Through his three seasons with USC, Helton has been on the hot seat, but I think losing to a two-win UCLA team is the final straw for USC. The lost gave them six on the season, and with Notre Dame coming up, it could very well be a seven-loss season.

USC has had some injuries and is starting a true freshman in JT Daniels, but that should not be an excuse. The Trojans have enough talent they should have been able to compete for the Pac-12 South.

This was a big win for UCLA and a very tough loss for USC. Chip Kelly is trying to rebuild the Bruins, so there is a little slack giving to him for this season. For the Trojans, I had them winning the Pac-12 South, but that is far from the case.

Trending. Aaron Donald is the equalizer against KC. light

This team is not good, they struggle on offense and give up to many points on defense. At times USC looks poorly coached and unprepared. I think this will be Clay Helton’s last season with USC. I think the program will look to coaches like Jack Del Rio or maybe even Pete Carroll for the second time around.

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