A loss is never a good thing, but Arizona State defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales acknowledges that it's even worse when it comes with a bye week next because players and coaches have two weeks to think about it.
He's hopes that will serve as motivation as the ASU (5-3, 2-3 in Pac-12 play) prepare for Saturday's 1:30 p.m. nationally televised showdown against USC (5-4, 4-2) at Sun Devil Stadium.
Not only is coach Herm Edwards' team coming off a 42-32 loss to UCLA, it is coming off consecutive setbacks with a 21-3 loss to Utah preceding the UCLA contest.