Bill Plaschke: An ugly duckling effort in what should be swan song

ARLINGTON, Texas - It was a typical farewell party for someone who should not be leaving, but has to be going.

Sam Darnold's likely last game as a USC quarterback Friday night was awkwardly painful, consistently sloppy and not a bit sentimental.

With every mistake, Darnold showed everyone why, for football reasons, he needs to play another season at USC.

But every hard hit offered a loud reminder why, for financial reasons, he probably won't play another minute.

Darnold was given every chance to pull the Trojans out of the muck that became Ohio State's 24-7 victory in the Cotton