In last week’s 26-21 victory over Iowa, USC effectively closed out the game with a massive stop on defense late in the fourth quarter. With the Hawkeyes driving late and facing a fourth down in Trojans territory, quarterback Mark Gronowski completed a pass to wide receiver Kaden Wetjen, but USC’s defenders forced him out of bounds before he could get a foot down. As a result, the pass was ruled incomplete, and the Trojans took over on downs and were able to run out the clock.
In his weekly appearance on USC’s Trojans Live show this past week, head coach Lincoln Riley discussed the play. He even added in a baseball analogy, comparing it to a notable play from Game 7 of the World Series.
“We showed the guys the visual from the World Series form the play at home,” Riley said. “Then showed the visual of the Iowa receiver’s foot.
“When you’re playing these big time games against really good teams and good competition, I mean that’s what this thing comes down to. And our guys are straining, and that’s why we’re making our share of plays.”
The baseball play Riley was referring to, of course, was when the Los Angeles Dodgers threw out Toronto Blue Jays pinch runner Isaiah Kiner-Falefa at home in the bottom of the ninth inning. The throw home barely beat Kiner-Falefa, but catcher Will Smith was able to keep has foot on the bag for the out, keeping the game alive for the Dodgers.
In both cases, a massive play came down to a matter of inches being the difference between victory and defeat. The two plays highlight just how small the margins can often be in sports, and the massive importance of attending to every detail.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football, Los Angeles Dodgers linked clutch by plays of inches