The Cotton Bowl finish becomes another classic here in this later part of the 2022-23 college football bowl schedule, with USC leading 35-30 into the fourth quarter. USC quarterback Caleb Williams already has 400 passing yards and four touchdowns in his first game since winning the Heisman Trophy, and although the Trojans defeated star wide receiver Jordan Addison, the receiver room has received a huge boost from Brenden Rice, who Has 174 yards and two touchdowns on six catches through three quarters.
While USC, which already has more than 500 yards under attack, has touchdowns in five of its seven possessions, Tulane has had answers from almost every corner. The Green Wave has two touchdowns and a field goal on their three possessions in the third quarter, and running back Tyjae Spears is challenging Williams and Rice for the nickname of the most influential player in the game. Spears has 152 yards and three touchdowns, marking the eighth straight game in which he has rushed for at least 100 yards.
In USC’s case, last quarter stakes include winning a bowl game for the first time since the end of the 2016 season and kicking off the 2023 campaign with another standout performance from Williams. Tulane is already in its biggest bowl game since before World War II. So a win would cap the already dreamlike turn from 2-10 in 2021 to 11-2 in 2022.
CBS Sports will keep you updated with analysis and highlights throughout the Cotton Bowl as USC battles Tulane.