Sarkisian Laments USC's Lack Of Finishing Touch

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — USC has held a narrow lead in the final moments of a conference game four times this season.

The Trojans barely hung on twice to win on their opponents' mistakes, and they blew the other two games in excruciating fashion.

Before coach Steve Sarkisian allows his first season back at USC to age him prematurely, he's hoping to figure out why USC lacks a finishing touch.

Sarkisian says the Trojans (5-3, 4-2 Pac-12) haven't yet developed a "killer instinct," and that's why they're out of the national rankings and the title picture.

In the past four weeks, USC has lost on a Hail Mary as time expired and on a toughdown pass with eight seconds left.

Some have blamed defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox's loose defense on final drives, which look more and more like a prevent effort, and lack pressure as quarterbacks march downfield on short, clock-stopping plays.

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