It was another playoff round that featured performances from former USC Trojans. Sam Darnold led the way with an elite performance, outdueling Matthew Stafford, to lead the Trojans to the Super Bowl. The Seahawks have many players who come from USC, so the Trojans will be very well represented come February 8. Talanoa Hufanga of the Denver Broncos played well in the AFC Championship Game, but unfortunately, his offense — without Bo Nix — scored just seven points and lost to the New England Patriots.
Here is my breakdown of how each former USC football star fared in the championship game round of the NFL playoffs:
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Talanoa Hufanga
Hufanga put his best effort out there vs the Patriots in insane elements. In a snowy blizzard, Hufanga was still able to put up his usual elite production, as the former Trojan had 7 tackles and 2 pass deflections. The season may have come to a disappointing end, but the Broncos know they have one of the best safeties in the game to lead their defense for a couple more seasons at least. Hufanga proved to be worth every penny this season.
Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold led this show this past weekend, being the star of the former Trojan alums, and he led his team to earn their bid for a Super Bowl title. Darnold saved his best for last and delivered a 346-yard passing and 3 passing touchdown performance in the NFC Championship game. This was a game where Sam Darnold’s talent and everything he was listed as coming out of college finally came to fruition. Sam Darnold has always had top-ten quarterback talent; the intangibles have been there, but other circumstances have gotten in the way. Darnold is now as confident as he’s ever been, and as a result, Darnold outplayed Matthew Stafford in an NFC Championship game. Darnold has turned his career around completely over the last two years, but after this win, he can really put his name with the other great quarterbacks in the league.
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Leonard Williams
Leonard Williams did not stuff up the stat sheet, but he still made his presence felt, filling up gaps and doing his part in limiting the production from both of the Rams effective backs, Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Williams finished the game with 2 tackles and 1 quarterback hit. He was great last game against the 49ers, and he has been one of the biggest staples of this Seahawks dominant defense all season long.
Uchenna Nwosu
Just like Leonard Williams, it was not an overly impactful game for Nwosu, but he still made an impact and had his presence felt. Nwosu had an identical outing to Leonard Williams, as he finished the game with 2 tackles and a quarterback hit as well. This Seahawks defensive line is extremely dominant, and each game it is a different player wreaking havoc. For this game, Nwosu and Williams were just drawing attention for the most part.
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Overview
With the Seahawks making the Super Bowl, there will now be 4 players representing the USC Trojans in the NFL’s biggest game of the season, with millions watching. Sam Darnold will have the most eyes on him, as once again, if he delivers, the Seahawks will hoist the Lombardi. Each of the 4 players suiting up for the Seahawks, Uchenna Nwosu, Leonard Williams, Brandon Pili, and, of course, Sam Darnold, has played their own role in getting Seattle to this point. Each of them will have to hold their end of the bargain with the Seahawks to finish the job. Regardless, the USC Trojans will be represented, and history will be made for the Trojans regardless of the conclusion of the game. It was a great season in the NFL for former USC Trojans.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Many Trojans get a shot at Super Bowl, but not Talanoa Hufanga
