Caleb Williams talks focus, emotions and getting tested as a leader
USC quarterback Caleb Williams finds himself in an unfamiliar position at this point in the season, staring at three regular-season losses and eliminated from the College Football Playoff. But he’s sticking with something familiar as he processes and moves forward, heading into another difficult game on this brutal back half of the schedule. Plenty was made on social media about the outpouring of emotion Williams had when he went up into the stands and was embraced by his mother following USC’s 52-42 loss to the Washington Huskies.
He didn’t shy away from it when asked about it following USC’s practice on Wednesday. In that moment and every moment as quarterback of the Trojans, he’s going to be himself.
“Raw emotion, being human, being myself, someone that cares about this team, these guys, winning especially,” Williams said. “You work days, nights, months, years to be in positions like that.”
Williams said he’s never suffered three losses during a season with games still to play. All the goals USC had coming into the season aren’t on the table anymore, but a couple of key ones still are. He said the push for a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game is still there for this team, which is “important to us, important to me, important to all these guys here.”
“The emotions after the game is what it’s been every since I lost my first game as a little kid,” Williams said. “Still having fun with it. Still have the same passion and care that I did for it when I was younger, if not more. So those raw emotions come out.”
Williams said he held it in until he got in contact with his mother in the stands.
“Your mom says something to you and it just started flowing out,” Williams said.
He’s unconcerned with the attention it got on social media. Williams is certainly used to anything he does getting amplified there, picked up nationally and especially by opposing fans. His focus continues to be on finishing this season and reaching whatever goals this team still has in front of it.
Focus is a big theme for USC this week as the Trojans prepare for a tough road game in Eugene against the No. 6 Oregon Ducks.
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“Going out there and being consistent is something that we’re harping on this week — just being absolutely consistent and focused,” Williams said. “The main thing this week has just been the word ‘focus.’ Focus on your job, focus on your route, your alignment, just lining up and getting the right positions. Make sure we get the right reads, the right checks, studying film and things like that. Focus on the task ahead. You can’t focus on anything else. It’s a one-game season right now.”
Williams is a two-time captain for the Trojans and an unquestioned team leader for USC. He said this season has tested him in that regard.
“I’ve never really been in this position in the season with three losses,” Williams said. “It’s tough. You have talked with people you believe in, people who maybe have been through it or someone that you trust, like coach Riley.”
Williams said his goal is “to be the same person every single day” regardless of previous outcomes or the situation the team finds itself in. He’ll have another huge opportunity this Saturday night to lead the Trojans into a marquee game with College Football Playoff implications and a national audience tuned in to see a big-time quarterback battle.
