The plan was simple for UCLA. The Bruins were to use extreme caution in punt situations, with USC’s Adoree’ Jackson awaiting those kicks Saturday.
“We were trying to keep it away from him or make him move to catch it,” Coach Jim Mora said. “We did a nice job other than that one.”
That one cost the Bruins.
Jackson fielded a short kick at the 42-yard line. Linebacker Cameron Judge hurled his body at Jackson, but shoved him instead of wrapping him up. Jackson flew down the sideline for a touchdown, giving USC a 20-14 lead just before halftime.
It was the turning point in USC’s 40-21 victory.
“We went down and started pressing after the punt return,” running back Paul Perkins said. “Against a good team like USC, you can’t press.”
It was Jackson’s second punt return for a touchdown in as many weeks.
Mora said the problem was the Bruins were losing the field position tussle. Josh Rosen was sacked for a 14-yard loss on third down, leaving the Bruins at the nine-yard line before the punt to Jackson.
“We didn’t get the kick we wanted,” Mora said, adding, “There was a questionable clip on the side, but they didn’t call it.”
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But Mora credited Jackson.
“The more times that guy touches it, that’s playing with poison,” Mora said. “I thought we did a real good job on him except for that play. But those ‘except for’ plays are always the difference.”
Perkins shines
Perkins did everything in his power to get the Bruins a victory.
Perkins, a junior, finished with 95 yards rushing and caught five passes for 36 yards. He made an extra effort to get the Bruins their first touchdown.
Chris Foster and Lindsey Thiry discuss UCLA’s 40-21 defeat by USC.
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Perkins was bumped by linebacker Michael Hutchings, but didn’t go down. He righted himself and scooted 19 yards for a touchdown that put UCLA ahead, 7-3, in the first quarter. Perkins had a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to give the Bruins a 21-20 lead.
“I was going all out for the team,” Perkins said. “It sounds like a cliche, be we have a lot of seniors getting ready to leave. I had to do my hardest for them.”
First loss
No one UCLA signed after the 2011 recruiting class had lost to USC, which ended a losing streak against the Bruins at three games.
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“It sucks because it’s the rivalry,” senior receiver Jordan Payton said. “That’s just the way it goes.”
Payton tried to give the loss some perspective. Losing to USC was going to look bad because “it’s the only game anyone knows about.”
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USC Coach Clay Helton embraces his son after a 40-21 victory over UCLA on Nov. 28 at the Coliseum.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster begins celebrating a 40-21 victory over crosstown rival UCLA in the closing moments of the fourth quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen is consoled by offfensive lineman Conor McDermott after having a pass intercepted by USC in the fourth quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Trojans football fans cheer their team in the closing moments of a 40-21 victory over crosstown rival UCLA on Saturday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen is brought down by USC linebacker Olajuwon Tucker and defensive lineman Rasheem Green (94) during the fourth quarter. Rosen attempted a pass but it was to an ineligible receiver.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC tight end Taylor McNamara catches a touchdown pass behind UCLA defensive back Jaleel Wadood in the fourth quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Justin Davis and USC will visit the Rose Bowl on Saturday night for their annual rivalry game against UCLA. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC cornerback Iman Marshall steps in front of UCLA’s Jordan Payton to make an interception during the second half.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC cornerback Iman Marshall is chased down by UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen after intercepting a pass in the second half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Coach Clay Helton and the Trojans will take on six teams in AP’s preseason top 25 rankings. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC cornerback Iman Marshall recovers his own fumble after intercepting a pass intended for UCLA receiver Jordan Payton in the fourth quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC defensive lineman Claude Pelon forces UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen to fumble during the second half, leading to Rasheem Green’s 31-yard return for a touchdown.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC defensive lineman Rasheem Green collects the ball after UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen was sacked by Claude Pelon and fumbled in the second half. Green ran 31 yards for a score.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC defensive end Rasheem Green (94) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown on a fumble return in the second half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA receiver Thomas Duarte can’t reach a pass as he’s covered by USC linebacker Su’a Cravens in the second half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC receiver Darreus Rogers reaches for the end zone as he is tackled by UCLA defensive back Nate Meadors on a 20-yard touchdown reception in the second half.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC linebacker Su’a Cravens breaks up a pass intended for UCLA receiver Thomas Duarte.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC linebacker Uchenna Nwosu makes the unsuccessful signal after UCLA kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed an attempt in the second half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson breaks up a pass intended for UCLA receiver Darren Andrews.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC interim Coach Clay Helton talks with quarterback Cody Kessler during the second half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA linebacker Aaron Wallace sacks USC quarterback Cody Kessler during the third quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen looks downfield for an open receiver against USC in the second half on Nov. 28, 2015.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA cornerback Nate Meadors brings down USC running back Justin Davis in the second half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Trojans wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster makes a catch in front of UCLA defensive back Nate Meadors in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Bruins running back Paul Perkins breaks into the clear against the Trojans on a 19-yard touchdown run in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA running back Paul Perkins is congratulated by teammate Nate Iese after scoring a touchdown against USC in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA coach Jim Mora calls for the Bruins to kick an extra point after scoring a touchdown against USC in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC running back Ronald Jones II is upended by UCLA’s Jayon Brown during the first half.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA Coach Jim Mora gets a good view of USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson returning a punt for a touchdown in the first half.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC linebacker Don Hill finishes off a block as teammate Adoree’ Jackson returns a punt for a touchdown in the first half.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson returns a punt 42 yards for a touchdown against UCLA in the first half.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (2) celebrates his punt return for a touchdown against UCLA with a teammate last Saturday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen unloads a deep pass against USC in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC quarterback Cody Kessler throws downfield against UCLA in the first quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster puts a hand to the face of UCLA linebacker Jayon Brown after making a reception in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA wide receiver Thomas Duarte exchanges words with USC linebacker Su’a Cravens after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC quarterback Cody Kessler is pressured by UCLA linebacker Deon Hollins during the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Bruins running back Paul Perkins picks up yards against the Trojans in the first half.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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The UCLA Bruins take the field for their game against USC on Saturday at the Coliseum.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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The USC Trojans take the field for their game against UCLA on Saturday at the Coliseum.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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A member of the UCLA marching band is framed by Sousaphones before the crosstown rivalry game against USC.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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UCLA football fans arrive with refreshments before the crosstown rivalry game against USC on Saturday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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USC football fans party beneath a mural before the crosstown rivalry game against UCLA on Saturday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
But, he said, “a loss is loss. They all hurt. I guess this one hurts more because I know the guys over there in the other locker room.”
Numbers game
Rosen had a streak of passes without an interception ended at 246 when cornerback Iman Marshall picked off a throw in the third quarter.
Rosen said the streak, a UCLA record, mattered little to him.
“I don’t care about any records,” Rosen said. “We lost. I would have been OK with throwing for a negative 1,000 yards today if it meant we could win.”
Chris Foster is a former sports writer for the Los Angeles Times who covered UCLA football and basketball, USC basketball, the Kings and the Ducks. He grew up in San Clemente, arriving long before Richard Nixon came to town. As a teen, he surfed, played football and basketball, and fell in love with sports journalism. Foster died Dec. 13, 2023.
