Steve Sarkisian takes blame for USC loss to Washington

Coming off a blowout win on the road against Arizona State, USC suffered a brutal loss to Washington at home Thursday night. The Trojans offense was unable to get anything going and managed just 12 points. The defense played well, but it wasn’t enough.

After the game, USC coach Steve Sarkisian shouldered the blame for the letdown.

“At the end of the day, we didn’t coach well enough and we didn’t play well enough to deserve to win the game,” Sarkisian said, per Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. “I give a lot of credit to Washington and coach Peterson for getting the guys ready to play; at the end of the game, this one is on me.

“My job to get guys ready to play all four quarters at the highest levels and we didn’t do that. We didn’t convert on the 2-point conversion and the missed field goal, it was just a microcosm of the overall picture.”

USC entered the game with a 3-1 record and ranked No. 17 in the nation, but that will surely change next week. Though the Huskies have played well the last two weeks (they lost to Cal 30-24 last week), USC looked like they took Washington lightly.

Sarskian was asked by a reporter if he was “confused” by the 17-12 outcome.

“I hate to admit to confusion. I’m frustrated, that’s a better word, but I’m frustrated because I believe in this team,” he said. “We’re so tight and we practiced so well. We want to pay well. When you have an opportunity to seize a moment and gain momentum and when you don’t do it that’s frustrating to me.”

Sarkisian turned over play-calling duties to his offensive coordinator earlier this year, and it seemed to work wonders last week. Unfortunately, the success did not carry over against Washington.