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USC's Win Over Virginia Disappoints, But It's Still A Win

Olivia Reed |
September 14, 2010 | 12:32 p.m. PDT

Staff Writer

Students from the East Coast come to the University of Southern California in search of two things: good weather and good football. USC failed to deliver either of those things Saturday when they played the University of Virginia.  

The night air was just about as bitter as the taste in my mouth around the end of the fourth quarter when the Cavaliers scored a second touchdown, making the Trojans’ winning score a dismal 17-14. 

As a Virginian, I feel it was the Trojans’ duty to crush the Cavaliers, who in the state of Virginia have anything but a solid reputation as football stars (they’re usually overshadowed by their rivals: Virginia Tech). The trash talking and confidence preceding the game for Trojan fans should have been justified; we should never have come so close to losing to the Cavaliers. 

In the old Trojan days, UVA would have been a sweep. 

East Coast fans worry more for the controversy in defending USC when they play rival Notre Dame, which has a massive following in Northern Virginia. I for one have always felt privileged to go back to Virginia and say that I go to USC, where immediately I’m asked if I’m a big football fan. Obviously. I go to USC; of course I’m a big football fan. Which is why on Saturday morning my Facebook status read “FIGHT ON TROJANS!! BEAT UVA.” Soon enough it was bombarded with dislikes and “Go Cavaliers,” the beauty of being a Virginia resident. 

Disappointment set in around halftime when the Trojans were only up 14-7 and Cavalier fans started to ask “Where’s that famous offense?” and “Why are there not more points on the scoreboard?”

The Trojans’ effort was simply lackadaisical. Although they won, there was an unfair level of stress riding on this USC fan’s shoulders. When you tell people you are leaving Virginia to go to USC to pursue sports media and follow a football team that actually matters, they expect your team to deliver. 

However, a win is a win and I proudly upgraded my status to “TROJANS WIN!!” and not a single Cavalier fan could comment. In the long run, it was beating UVA that mattered, not the few points USC beat them by. 

Once again Trojan football starts the season with a home game win and I can proudly rep my Cardinal and Gold in Cavalier territory. 

To reach writer Olivia Reed, click here.

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