Archiv » quarterback also wouldnt allow one loss to erase

LAS VEGAS -- Just a few weeks after Fresno State appeared poised for a BCS trip and a breakthrough season, the Bulldogs ended up busted in Vegas. Derek Carr didnt attempt to hide his disappointment when his college career ended with a 45-20 loss to Southern California in the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday. The record-setting quarterback also wouldnt allow one loss to erase every good memory from a landmark season in Fresno State history. "I thought our guys were ready to go," Carr said. "There wasnt any lack of focus on any side of the ball. USC just beat us." Carr passed for just 217 yards and two TDs under constant pressure in his final game at Fresno State (11-2), which fell behind 35-6 at halftime. With their fifth straight bowl defeat, the Bulldogs failed to secure the first 12-win season in school history. Right down to the script "Bulldogs" on the helmet, Fresno State wore the same uniform combination sported by the team that beat USC in the 1992 Freedom Bowl, one of the biggest wins in school history. But the Mountain West champions still havent won a bowl game since 2007, losing six of their last seven. "I think if you look at the body of work, this team won 11 ballgames and won a second straight conference championship," Fresno State coach Tim DeRuyter said. "Theres critics out there. Everyone has got an opinion. I know in my heart we had a really, really fine football team. We didnt play our best game today, and that goes on me. Ive got to do a better job of getting our guys ready." Cody Kessler passed for a career-high 344 yards and a bowl-record four touchdowns for the Trojans and interim coach Clay Helton, the third of USCs four head coaches in less than three months. Kessler outdid Carr, his fellow Bakersfield native and friend, setting the Las Vegas Bowl record for TD passes before halftime and finishing 22 for 30. USC scored three touchdowns in a nine-minute burst in the second quarter, and Javorius Allen clinched it with his second TD run with 4:44 to play. Carr went 30 for 54 under constant pressure from the blitzing Trojans, who eliminated Fresno States running game and twice stopped the Bulldogs on fourth downs in the first half. Fresno States two TD catches by Isaiah Burse and Davante Adams both came on short drives resulting from USC mistakes on special teams, and Derron Smith returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown. Carr, the nations leader in yards passing and total offence, became the fourth player in NCAA history to surpass 5,000 yards passing and 50 TD passes during the game. But Carr leaves Fresno State without a bowl victory, never getting the Bulldogs moving against one of the nations best pass defences. "Blame me. Blame me always," Carr said. "Ive got to do a better job of leading, and Ive got to do a better job of getting our guys in better spots. Thats my fault." Marqise Lee and Nelson Agholor had two touchdown catches apiece, Allen rushed two more scores, and the Trojans (10-4) answered every question about their own motivation by repeatedly dancing on the sideline during the storied programs first post-season victory since 2009. From Kesslers smooth offence to a dynamic defensive effort against Fresno States FBS-best passing game, USC was uniformly outstanding in its only game under Helton. The offensive co-ordinator filled the one-game gap between coaches Ed Orgeron and Steve Sarkisian on the Trojans coaching carousel, but USC picked up right where Orgeron left off after its desultory start to the season under Lane Kiffin. The Trojans ended up celebrating under confetti in the north end zone, joining friends and family on a chilly desert night in front of a sellout crowd at Sam Boyd Stadium. After the teams traded touchdowns on their opening drives, the Trojans blocked Fresno States extra point attempt -- and it started a deluge. Agholor caught TD passes of 40 and 17 yards for the Trojans next two scores. Allen made a 24-yard TD run through bad tackling midway through the second quarter, and Lee turned a short pass into a 40-yard TD with 37 seconds left in the half. Eden Hazard Jersey . On paper, it looks a little like Andre the Giant taking on a midget wrestler. It has all the makings of a rout with the Americans adding an eighth win in nine outings of this biennial event. The Yanks have eight players in the top 15 in the world while the Internationals have just one. Yannick Carrasco Belgium Jersey . Calgarys Bo Levi Mitchell and Montreals Troy Smith will be the starting quarterbacks in a CFL season-opener for the first time in their careers. Both want to reinforce their No. 1 status. You can watch the game live in the first half of a doubleheader on TSN and TSN GO at 3:00pm et/Noon pt. http://www.belgiumsoccerpro.com/Leander-Dendoncker-Belgium-Jersey/ . The 36-year-old said a few months ago he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, but has since changed his mind. "Its a pity the season is ending now, as I am in good physical shape and enjoying myself," Di Natale said. Romelu Lukaku Jersey . -- The Detroit Lions made it crystal clear to Golden Tate that he was their top target in free agency. Michy Batshuayi Jersey .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes hope they now have the leadership tandem in place to turn the franchise around.PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed centre Fernando Velasco on injured reserve with a season-ending Achilles injury. Velasco injured the Achilles in Thursdays 22-20 loss to Baltimore. Velasco is the second centre to be lost for the season. Maurkice Pouncey tore the ACL in his right knee eight plays into the opener against Tennessee in September. The Steelers signed centre Eric Olsen andd offensive tackle Rashad Butler to add depth to a depleted line.dddddddddddd Olsen played in 16 games, with four starts, for the New Orleans Saints in 2012. He was released by the Saints in September. Butler has played in 50 games over the last seven seasons, most recently for the Cleveland Browns. To make room for Olsen and Butler, the Steelers released cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke. ' ' '