Considering Itself Outside the Title Picture, U.S.C. Fires Clay Helton

After the Trojans lost to Stanford as 17-point favorites, they moved on from Helton, who had two years left on his contract.

With the University of Southern California’s defense being gashed, its offense stagnant and its discipline lacking — the kicker was ejected on the opening kickoff — fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum showered the team with boos during a 42-28 thumping at the hands of Stanford, which entered Saturday’s game as a 17-point underdog. Afterward, Clay Helton, the seventh-year coach, pleaded for calm. “At the end of the season, see where we’re at,” he told reporters.