USC receiver Jordan Addison leaves Utah game with injury
USC wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) carries the ball against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes throws a pass against the USC Trojans during the first half of their game October 15, 2022 Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
R.J. Herbert #11 of the Utah Utes tackles Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans during the first half of their game October 15, 2022 Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
Mekhi Blackmon #6 of the USC Trojans breaks up a pass intended for Devaughn Vele #17 during the first half of their game October 15, 2022 Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
Coach Kyle Whittingham of the Utah Utes questions an officials call during the first half of their game against the USC Trojans October 15, 2022 Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
Jordan Addison #3 of the USC Trojans cant catch up with a pass while being defended by JaTravis Broughton #4 during the first half of their game October 15, 2022 Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes looks to hand off the ball against the USC Trojans during the first half of their game October 15, 2022 Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
USC wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) scores a touchdown against Utah safety R.J. Hubert (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
USC linebacker Eric Gentry (18) tackles Utah running back Tavion Thomas (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah safety Cole Bishop (8) tackles USC wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
USC quarterback Caleb Williams (13) carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
USC quarterback Caleb Williams stands on the sideline during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
USC coach Lincoln Riley speaks with quarterback Caleb Williams during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Utah on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
USC’s Mario Williams catches as pass next to Utah safety R.J. Hubert (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
USC quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
USC linebacker Eric Gentry (18) tackles Utah running back Tavion Thomas (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) carries the ball past Southern California defensive back Jaylin Smith (19) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) carries the ball past USC defensive back Jaylin Smith (19) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
SALT LAKE CITY — Even in the wake of its first defeat of the season, USC may have suffered a graver loss in Utah’s 43-42 win on Saturday, as star wide receiver Jordan Addison left the game with a leg injury.
On a third-quarter run, Addison was heading toward the sidelines and trying to extend the play. But as he reached the first-down marker, he planted his leg out of bounds and saw it buckle beneath him.
Addison immediately went down on the sidelines and was writhing in pain. Play was stopped as trainers tended to Addison, then helped him to the injury tent. He stayed there for a time before emerging and exiting the field to the locker room.
Addison had seven receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown to go with two carries for 27 yards before his exit.
Last year’s Biletnikoff winner, Addison transferred to USC in May from Pittsburgh. He immediately became quarterback Caleb Williams’ favorite target with four touchdowns in USC’s first two games.
USC suffered another key loss in the fourth quarter as starting middle linebacker Eric Gentry crumpled on the field with what appeared to be an ankle injury.
Gentry limped to the sidelines and grabbed his helmet in an attempt to return to the game. But trainers insisted on him going into the injury tent and he was eventually carted into the USC locker room. He returned to the sideline with his pads off and a boot around his left ankle.
Falo breaks out
It had been three years since USC tight end Josh Falo caught a touchdown. Five since he had two in a season.
If you’re noticing the past tense in those sentences, it’s because Falo scored not once but twice Saturday night.
Falo extended for a three-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter for his first catch since 2019, diving to reach out to secure the ball. Then in the third quarter, he caught a pass in the backfield and took it 11 yards into the end zone, benefitting from a Mario Williams block on the play.
