USC fans chant Fire Helton at end of loss to Stanford

While Clay Helton entered 2021 with his USC Trojans team surrounded by promise, all of it went by the wayside after being dominated by Stanford last night. In the game, the Cardinal raced out to a 21-10 lead by halftime, and defeated the Trojans 42-28.

Instead of cheering on USC, fans were chanting for the end of the Helton era before the game ended.

“Many of the few remaining USC fans at the Coliseum are clapping and chanting “Fire Helton!” loudly enough that we can hear them up here in the press box,” tweeted Greg Beachum. 

Following years of middling play, Helton needed a memorable season to endear himself to Trojans fans. However, instead all the hope USC had seems to have dwindled away with one loss.

For years, the Trojans have been looking for a head coach to take them back to their prominence of year’s past. In the beginning, Helton fit the bill. Now, it seems as if just about everybody in Southern California is ready to move on.

Keyshawn Johnson: “I can no longer ‘Fight On’ for him … Period!”

Following the loss, former USC great Keyshawn Johnson took to twitter to voice his displeasure for Helton and the Trojans.

“I’m so pissed. I can no longer Fight On for him — Period. Embarrassing” tweeted Johnson.

While USC can still recover and possibly win the Pac-12, Johnson is fed up with the Trojans falling short of expectations under Helton. Every year, it seems like Helton trips up and loses a game that the Trojans should’ve had no problem with.

Matt Leinart: “This is just bad.”

The hits kept coming for Helton, as legendary USC quarterback Matt Leinart chimed in with his displeasure following the loss. After watching Oregon go into Columbus and leave with a victory, he emphasized the contrast between the two programs.

“This is just bad,” tweeted Leinart. “I saw Orgeon today up close and personal and they would drop the hammer on SC. Two programs going in different directions.”

Evidently, Oregon is doing everything that Trojans supporters believe their team should be. As talent is far from the issue, they’re pointing the finger at Helton as the reason why USC isn’t reaching the heights they should.

Moreover, there’s one way for Helton to quell his doubters — win. With matchups against Utah, Notre Dame and UCLA looming large, the Trojans must go on a run the rest of 2021 for the sake of their head coach.

If not, the end of the Clay Helton era in Southern California will be upon us.