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When the College Football Playoff first began in 2014, it gave credence to the idea that bowl games held no meaning. After all, they’re only exhibitions and if you’re not playing for a national championship, then why even play the games at all?
However, there has been some push back to that idea. After all, several of these games are steeped in tradition. And even the ones that aren’t allow teams extra practices and more time for players to spend around their teammates and coaches.
But for those of you who are still nonbelievers, might I present to you the case of USC Trojans wide receiver Kyle Ford.
The emotion Kyle Ford shows is why College Football is so special.
Ford suffered multiple knee injuries in his career. He transferred from USC to UCLA and back to USC. And after 6 years of CFB, his last snap is a game winning TD.
Incredible 👏 pic.twitter.com/tUxATxu9fP
— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) December 28, 2024
USC WR Kyle Ford Caps Crazy Career With Las Vegas Bowl Game-Winning Touchdown
Ford is a Los Angeles native and was a five-star wide receiver in the class of 2019 who committed to the Trojans under then head coach Clay Helton.
But his college career has not gone according to plan. Recovery from an ACL injury limited to just four games and a redshirt in 2019. He then tore his other ACL in 2020 and missed the entire season. Ford failed to make a significant impact in 2021 or 2022 and transferred across town to UCLA in 2023. But he struggled with the Bruins as well and transferred back to USC for his final season.
This year has been much of the same for Ford. He caught 26 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns. But the last of those three scores is one that he will never forget. With eight seconds remaining in the Las Vegas Bowl on Friday night, Ford caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jayden Maiava to complete a 17-point comeback and give the Trojans a 35-31 victory.
After completing the catch, he immediately dropped to the ground as the emotions overwhelmed him.
“This is just a testament to how hard I think I’ve worked, and persevered through it,” he said after the game.
Anybody who thinks these games don’t matter, just look no further than Kyle Ford. Sometimes it’s not always about the money or the trophies. Sometimes it’s just another chance to go out on your terms surrounded by your teammates, and that’s what makes these games special.