Devastated Caleb Williams is consoled by his family after USC’s gut-wrenching loss to Washington… with their playoff hopes all but over following third defeat of the season

USC quarterback Caleb Williams broke down in the stands at the LA Coliseum after his team’s shootout 52-42 loss to No. 5 Washington.

Williams – the reigning Heisman Trophy winner – jumped into his family’s arms and was given a hug before appearing to start crying after a hard-fought performance.

The 22nd-ranked Trojans picked up 515 yards of total offense — with Williams getting most of that via 312 yards passing — but they gave up 572 yards to the Huskies.

Williams clearly left it all on the field and didn’t turn the ball over during the game.

But Washington’s office was just too ruthless – with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and running back Dillon Johnson who each gained 256 yards (in the air and on the ground, respectively).

Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, lost his third game, effectively ending hopes that the 22nd-ranked Trojans could qualify for the College Football Playoffs.

But he left it all on the field, throwing for 312 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday

That means UW goes back to Seattle with a win and their record is still perfect at 9-0.

But it also means the Trojans fall to 7-3 on the season, with all three losses coming to ranked teams.

It’s just the nature of the beast this season: USC will have played five ranked teams this season.

USC lost to No. 21 Notre Dame, No. 14 Utah, and now Washington effectively ended any hope they had of making the College Football Playoff.

Their next two games are on the road at No. 6 Oregon before wrapping up their season at home against No. 19 UCLA.

In the nine-year history of the College Football Playoff, there has never been a two-loss team, let alone a three-loss team.