Five things we learned in USC’s 48-28 defeat by Oregon

Oregon defeated USC, 48-28, on Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. Here are five things we learned from the Trojans’ defeat.

USC hasn’t solved Oregon

The last time USC and Oregon played in 2012, the Ducks flew by the Trojans with a 62-51 victory.

Two seasons later, not much has changed.

Both teams went into Saturday’s game on four-game winning streaks, with 7-3 overall records and Pac-12 Conference records of 5-2.

On paper, it appeared the gap between the teams had closed.

But the Ducks made it apparent that they are still too fast and well-coached for USC.

Secondary miscues

The secondary played its worst game of the season.

Vernon Adams Jr. completed 20 of 25 passes for 407 yards and became the first quarterback ever to pass for six touchdowns against USC. Adams’ only miscue was an interception thrown in the Ducks’ first offensive series of the game.

USC defensive backs often appeared out of position and on several plays were caught nowhere near Oregon’s receivers.

Adams completed touchdown passes of 52 yards, 48 yards, 37 yards, 30 yards, 21 yards and 26 yards.

Penalties halted drives

USC committed a season-high 12 penalties for 124 yards, while Oregon committed just four penalties for 42 yards.

USC’s most costly mistake came, surprisingly, from fourth-year junior offensive lineman Chad Wheeler late in the third quarter.

Wheeler drew a flag for a personal foul after a play, which turned a fourth-and-one situation into a fourth and 16. Instead of attempting the fourth-down conversion, USC was forced to punt.

In the fourth quarter, tailback Justin Davis rushed for 16 yards on third and one, but the play was called back because of holding by JuJu Smith-Schuster. The team failed to convert on third and seven.

Linebackers learned on the job

USC missed the presence of team-leading tackler Cameron Smith, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week against Colorado.

Olajuwon Tucker made his first career start and rotated with junior Michael Hutchings.

Tucker made a team-best nine tackles, which included 2 1/2 tackles for losses and 1 1/2 sacks.

However, it was apparent that Oregon’s offense left the inexperienced Tucker and Hutchings confused and out of position on several plays.

The Ducks rushed for 171 yards in 38 carries.

Coaching search

Clay Helton made a solid run in a bid to earn the head coaching job, but with his record now 4-2 — including the 20-point loss to Oregon, USC must exhaust all possibilities in its search for a coach.

The Trojans will not make a trip to the College Football Playoff in the foreseeable future if a coach isn’t hired who can routinely defeat Notre Dame, Oregon, Stanford and UCLA.

Helton’s only chance to become coach should be if USC defeats UCLA next week, wins the Pac-12 title game and makes a trip to the Rose Bowl (which oddly enough, is still within reach).

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