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Riley: Caleb Williams dealing with 'significant' hamstring injury

Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times / Getty

USC head coach Lincoln Riley announced Sunday that quarterback Caleb Williams has a "significant" hamstring injury, according to Antonio Morales of The Athletic.

The Heisman front-runner will have nearly a month to recover, with the Trojans set to take on Tulane in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 2.

Williams suffered the injury during a spectacular 59-yard run in the first quarter of USC's 47-24 loss to Utah in the Pac-12 title game Friday.

Riley said postgame that the quarterback "was not even 50%" through the final three quarters but refused to come out of the contest, according to David Cobb of CBS Sports.

"In terms of guys I've coached at that position, it was maybe the gutsiest performance I've ever seen," Riley said. "Most guys wouldn't have even played, and he still gave us a chance."

The loss ended the Trojans' hopes of making the College Football Playoff for the first time. They entered the game against Utah at No. 4 in the CFP rankings after going 11-1 in the regular season.

Williams finished with 363 yards with three touchdowns and one interception but struggled to throw on the run and wasn't able to threaten the Utes' defense with his legs.

The 20-year-old, however, still remains the favorite to take home the Heisman Trophy after an excellent first season with USC. He has thrown for 4,075 yards and 37 touchdowns against four interceptions while adding 372 yards and 10 scores on the ground.

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