The game: Traveler went into to a full run (not prancing) along the sideline and reminded us it’s the nation's best mascot, and not a one trick buffalo (smell food, rush to food, scare the bejabbers out of the "handlers") . Was it 5-0, the CU W-L number, or was it CU's opponents W-L of 6-21 that drove Las Vegas odds and pregame thoughts? 31-20, we needed this game. USC is now 13-0 vs. the Buffs all time, 8-0 since CU came into the P12.
Key play(s): The defense, manned up, after a worrisome first play Trojan interception at the USC 40, to stop Colorado with a loss of 3 yard, a pass complete for 1 yard, and a sack of 10 yards for a drive net of -12 before their punt. The defense made its opening statement.
Offense:Helton is now 31-12 (.721) overall, and 24-6 (.800) in PAC12 . And he is 19-0 overall and 13-0 vs. the P12at the Coliseum, He is 10-12 against top 25 teams. The offense struggled against a stacked CU defense meant to stop the run, and to put pressure on frosh QB, but it upped the passing game by pitting our WRs mostly against a single cover. USC had 34 pass plays (2 int.) and 27 run plays. But CU paid the price on long passes.
QB: Grade: B-. The bye week message was to be more aggressive, and to improve JTs touch on the long pass. Both showed up. He completed passing TDs of 27 yards, 65 yards (a little underthrown making the defender fall), and 9 yards. USC averaged a strong 16 yards per catch. JT started slow (6-15 with 2 int.) and showed his inexperience. The two ints were due to (a) locking on 1 receiver and having the defender underneath (JT needs to check down through options) ; and (b) threw long into double coverage. He did not lose confidence, but picked his game back up. He is not Sam Darnold, who had 1 1/3 years in the system prior to taking over the QB position. JT is learning faster now. He had 5 bad throws and receivers dropped 3. He has 7 TDS to 5 Int. so far.
Running Game: Grade: C-. CU stacked the box, and made running tough. with little yardage in Quarters 1,2, and 4. They did OK in Q3 but a hold killed that drive, The long runs were by Ware and WR Pittman for 11 yards each. But the stacking of defenders up front allowed 1 on 1 passes that shredded the Buffs D. Carr had a play which was well defended, and compounded the loss to 11 yards in reversing back. Overall US averaged a paltry 2.3 ypc with but 6 rushing first downs, Markese Steep had 2 runs for 10 yards at the end but did not burn his red shirt with the new 4 games played anytime in the season as opposed only the first 4 games. .
Receiving Game: Grade: A-. The CU defense taketh away (the ground game) and giveth (the passing attack). Three passing TDs all in a matter of 11 minutes of the second quarter. I could get used to this.The hero was .Michael Pittman! 6'4"with great hands. 5 rec -144 yards- 2 TDs- 4 FDs- 65 Long -29 yards per catch. And he added an 11 yard run. He had a sensational leaping tip of the finger catch, while sandwiched by two defenders. Also Tyler Vaughns 5 rec -86 yards-1 TD- 4 FDs-17 ypc. All three big plays (20 yards or more) were to wide receivers: Vaughns ( 27yards) and Pittman (65 and 39 yards). This is the first game this year that reminded me of 'Air Darnold'.
Oline: Grade C+. Colorado was a decent defensive team in 2016 at 22 ppg, but up last year at 28ppg, and came in at 18 ppg albeit vs. unproven teams. USC faced a 5-6 man rush most of the game and allowed only one sack, in the first quarter. But the pass blocking was decent and not a single QB hurry. The snap from Lobendahn remains an issue, but not quite as bad as before.
Defense: Grade A. The big bold defense we hoped for was there vs. the Buffs. They had 2 main targets…QB Montez and all purpose player Laviska Shenault, a big 6-2 220 lb receiver-runner. Shenault had a pulling player clear out the one tackler and that let him run off 46 yards for the single bad play allowed. Underrated Ajene Harris had a great game (7 tackles, 2 TFL, a pick 6 and a pass breakup). Future star Gaoteote (9 tackles, 2 TFL) subbed well for injured Cam Smith. They held QB Montez to 55% instead of his 75% coming in but Did allow him to convert a 4th and 14 by gaining 15 yards. Overall 16 of the Buffs 84 plays resulted in losses. Their best defensive effort this season.
Special Teams: Grade: C+ Mostly good. Onside kicks good (Levi Jones) and bad (Petite muffed his attempt). Brown kicked his 38 yard FG attempt. and booted 4 of 6 Kickoffs as touchbacks, but one went out of bounds for a 35 yard start. Punter Budravich averaged a decent 42 yards per punt. Both teams had about 50 yards in returns..
Miscellaneous- The attendance was 58K or about 90% occupied. Last year's home attendance was about 73K. That difference has to hurt USC this year. What is going on with the ref calls- 7 penalties and 60 yards are normal. In this game far from a brawl, USC gets hit with 13 penalties and 123 yards and the more docile Buffs with 8 penalties and 81 yards. There was the usual huffing between players but nothing that warranted that. Here's the cacophony of the whistles by quarters: Q1 Col 1-15, USC 1-5 / Q2 Col 1-5, USC 4-40 / Q3 Col 2-21, USC 2-20 / Q1 Col 4-40, USC 6-58.. That 4th quarter amount is ridiculous. Add in the irregular calling of PI to that of targeting by P12 refs. Major USC penalties aided the last 2 Colorado scores.
Bottom line - This win keeps USC in first in the PAC12S and controls its own destiny in the South. Among common opponents (Arizona, Stanford and WSU) USC and Utah are both 2-1. USC fared better vs. WSU, Utah better vs. Stanford (no Bryce Love) and Arizona. Both QBs are about equal so far. Utah runs better and USC passes better, But its Utah's home. I thought USC would have a loss with Stanford and feared this one as well. Though I feel better about USC than a few weeks ago, I hope to be wrong in my Forecast: Utah 28 USC 27.
Key play(s): The defense, manned up, after a worrisome first play Trojan interception at the USC 40, to stop Colorado with a loss of 3 yard, a pass complete for 1 yard, and a sack of 10 yards for a drive net of -12 before their punt. The defense made its opening statement.
Offense:Helton is now 31-12 (.721) overall, and 24-6 (.800) in PAC12 . And he is 19-0 overall and 13-0 vs. the P12at the Coliseum, He is 10-12 against top 25 teams. The offense struggled against a stacked CU defense meant to stop the run, and to put pressure on frosh QB, but it upped the passing game by pitting our WRs mostly against a single cover. USC had 34 pass plays (2 int.) and 27 run plays. But CU paid the price on long passes.
QB: Grade: B-. The bye week message was to be more aggressive, and to improve JTs touch on the long pass. Both showed up. He completed passing TDs of 27 yards, 65 yards (a little underthrown making the defender fall), and 9 yards. USC averaged a strong 16 yards per catch. JT started slow (6-15 with 2 int.) and showed his inexperience. The two ints were due to (a) locking on 1 receiver and having the defender underneath (JT needs to check down through options) ; and (b) threw long into double coverage. He did not lose confidence, but picked his game back up. He is not Sam Darnold, who had 1 1/3 years in the system prior to taking over the QB position. JT is learning faster now. He had 5 bad throws and receivers dropped 3. He has 7 TDS to 5 Int. so far.
Running Game: Grade: C-. CU stacked the box, and made running tough. with little yardage in Quarters 1,2, and 4. They did OK in Q3 but a hold killed that drive, The long runs were by Ware and WR Pittman for 11 yards each. But the stacking of defenders up front allowed 1 on 1 passes that shredded the Buffs D. Carr had a play which was well defended, and compounded the loss to 11 yards in reversing back. Overall US averaged a paltry 2.3 ypc with but 6 rushing first downs, Markese Steep had 2 runs for 10 yards at the end but did not burn his red shirt with the new 4 games played anytime in the season as opposed only the first 4 games. .
Receiving Game: Grade: A-. The CU defense taketh away (the ground game) and giveth (the passing attack). Three passing TDs all in a matter of 11 minutes of the second quarter. I could get used to this.The hero was .Michael Pittman! 6'4"with great hands. 5 rec -144 yards- 2 TDs- 4 FDs- 65 Long -29 yards per catch. And he added an 11 yard run. He had a sensational leaping tip of the finger catch, while sandwiched by two defenders. Also Tyler Vaughns 5 rec -86 yards-1 TD- 4 FDs-17 ypc. All three big plays (20 yards or more) were to wide receivers: Vaughns ( 27yards) and Pittman (65 and 39 yards). This is the first game this year that reminded me of 'Air Darnold'.
Oline: Grade C+. Colorado was a decent defensive team in 2016 at 22 ppg, but up last year at 28ppg, and came in at 18 ppg albeit vs. unproven teams. USC faced a 5-6 man rush most of the game and allowed only one sack, in the first quarter. But the pass blocking was decent and not a single QB hurry. The snap from Lobendahn remains an issue, but not quite as bad as before.
Defense: Grade A. The big bold defense we hoped for was there vs. the Buffs. They had 2 main targets…QB Montez and all purpose player Laviska Shenault, a big 6-2 220 lb receiver-runner. Shenault had a pulling player clear out the one tackler and that let him run off 46 yards for the single bad play allowed. Underrated Ajene Harris had a great game (7 tackles, 2 TFL, a pick 6 and a pass breakup). Future star Gaoteote (9 tackles, 2 TFL) subbed well for injured Cam Smith. They held QB Montez to 55% instead of his 75% coming in but Did allow him to convert a 4th and 14 by gaining 15 yards. Overall 16 of the Buffs 84 plays resulted in losses. Their best defensive effort this season.
Special Teams: Grade: C+ Mostly good. Onside kicks good (Levi Jones) and bad (Petite muffed his attempt). Brown kicked his 38 yard FG attempt. and booted 4 of 6 Kickoffs as touchbacks, but one went out of bounds for a 35 yard start. Punter Budravich averaged a decent 42 yards per punt. Both teams had about 50 yards in returns..
Miscellaneous- The attendance was 58K or about 90% occupied. Last year's home attendance was about 73K. That difference has to hurt USC this year. What is going on with the ref calls- 7 penalties and 60 yards are normal. In this game far from a brawl, USC gets hit with 13 penalties and 123 yards and the more docile Buffs with 8 penalties and 81 yards. There was the usual huffing between players but nothing that warranted that. Here's the cacophony of the whistles by quarters: Q1 Col 1-15, USC 1-5 / Q2 Col 1-5, USC 4-40 / Q3 Col 2-21, USC 2-20 / Q1 Col 4-40, USC 6-58.. That 4th quarter amount is ridiculous. Add in the irregular calling of PI to that of targeting by P12 refs. Major USC penalties aided the last 2 Colorado scores.
Bottom line - This win keeps USC in first in the PAC12S and controls its own destiny in the South. Among common opponents (Arizona, Stanford and WSU) USC and Utah are both 2-1. USC fared better vs. WSU, Utah better vs. Stanford (no Bryce Love) and Arizona. Both QBs are about equal so far. Utah runs better and USC passes better, But its Utah's home. I thought USC would have a loss with Stanford and feared this one as well. Though I feel better about USC than a few weeks ago, I hope to be wrong in my Forecast: Utah 28 USC 27.
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