The game: 73K attendees. They're Baaaack. We ended the easiest part of the schedule and our Sun Belt championship belt should arrive soon. Some will nitpick the opponents. But USC put on two dominating performances the last 2 weeks.. And Arkansas State proved to be trouble..just ask #24 Missouri. Idaho scored just 25 ppg and gave up 37 ppg. USC bettered that by a lot , scoring 59 (with 737 yards) and gave up just 9. In Sundays papers OCR's Jeff Miller and LA Times Bill Plaschke (who woulda guessed) said we know nothing about USC. So In these notes I will show the what I saw and can deduce.
Kudos to Idaho who were overmatched but played hard until the end. USC dominated this team at both lines. IU QB Linehan, son to the former Rams HC and now Cowboys OC, was pretty good getting what he could. But if anyone I would want from that team, it would be their Punter-place kicker, Austin Rehkow...that guy has some leg. As to the game it was 88 degrees with 50% Relative humidity to start and players were seen panting. Participation -USC cleaned its bench playing 81 (scholies and walk-ons) and Idaho played 52. Again 13 freshmen saw the field....you use them at all and their red shirt year is gone. But USC is missing 10 players from each of the Senior, Junior and Soph classes (NCAA "fairness") so USC is underclassmen heavy for a few years more. Idaho had a good third quarter, abandoning the pass-run and going more to short passes underneath the defense to score. USC came right back with a 6 play drive in 1:37 to negate it.
Offense: USC scored 59 points, gained 737 yards, and averaged 10 yards per play. They balanced run for 37 plays (7.7 ypr) and pass for 37 plays (12.2 yards per attempt). The tempo is becoming faster. An example is that after a ref ball placement, USC had the offensive snap 2 seconds later. They even have a warm up pattern aimed to start the second half out quickly.
QB: This game showed us that USC can complete the long pass...Though missing a few last week, Kessler had the top accuracy (greater than 50%) for deep passes in 2014 among the PAC 12 here went 3-4 with the sole miss long by only 2-3 yards. The catches were all TDS for 50 yards (JuJu) , 28 (Isaac Whitney) , and 41( JuJu). Overall Kessler hit on 84% !! of all his passes. Two of his 5 misses had receivers fall down, and there was one drop. He now has 7 TDs and no Interceptions. He completed 11 of his first 12 tosses connecting for 8 first downs and 8 passes of 10 yards or more. What else can one ask? But his one fault was on a third and 5 he passed incomplete instead of running it for a likely sustained drive. Backup Max Browne (5-6, 43 yards.) came in at the 14:42 mark of Q4 and looked good , if not a little nervous (happy Feet). Conner Sullivan came in with 5:20 to go. Overall Grade: A+
Receiving Game: As mentioned before the Receiving core is stronger and bigger than last year. This is really important in short passes on third downs and in downfield blocking. The first block opportunity at the line or downfield usually turns a play from a no gain to 5 or more yards. Dareus Rodgers was noted by Sark for his fierce blocks. And Juju is a strong man that throws a mean block. The receptions were 24 by Wide Receivers, 2 by TEs, 4 by RB/FB. A Jax had the best pass run of heading one direction, reversing field and heading the other, then reversing downfield for run of 30 yards north-south and probably 40 additional yards sidewise. Overall Grade: A.
Running Game: This team is waaayyy better than last years at the Running game. Last year it was Buck Allen and Justin Davis. This game its Justin (74 yards-14.8 ypc- 2TD) and Dominic Davis (37 yards-7.4 ypc- 3FD) , Tre Madden (40 yards-5.7 ypc- 2TD), Ronald Jones (84 yards-10.4 ypc- 1TD) , and Ced Ware. That's 5 fine runners and all bring something different to the field. Jones has that slide step to set direction into a hole and accelerates. All seem to have the ability to break that first tackler and make big gains while slaloming the opponents backfield. And that doesn't even include WR/ST/CB Adoree or WR Juju Smith...all breakaway threats that make this team unique. Jones is going to be sensational and Davis does a very good job following his blocking teammates. Overall Grade: A.
Oline: The OL started with a lineup of L to R: Banner, Lobendahn, Tuerk, Mama, and Wheeler. By the 4th quarter it was (not in order): Falah, Rodgers, Talmalivo, Edoga, and Chris Brown. They allowed no sacks and, only 2 plays lost yardage and one of those was by the 3rd QB Sullivan . The blocking at the line and downfield was super as seen by the numbers of positive yardage plays. On that Adoree 30 yard, plus a world tour, there were no penalties. I saw a step up in coordination and performance. Overall Grade: B
Defense- USC gave up 9 points, 311 yards, and Idaho averaged 4 yards per play. The mix of passes confused USC for a while in Q3 but they adjusted. More pressure was applied that amounted to 3 QB Hurries (nearly in the grasp). But getting to the QB remains an area for improvement with but 1 Sack by Cravens. The secondary held its own and held the Passing average to 5.3 yards per attempt. Gustin Porter shone at times from the Linebacker spot. As did Chris Hawkins from his safety slot. In fact the whole linebacker and safety units are becoming a strength of the defense. Overall Grades: D-Line B. Linebackers and secondary- B+.
Special Teams- Adoree Jackson sometimes needs to determine the hang time of Punts and call a fair catch before being battered by tacklers and not go back, to go forward (although he makes that a 50-50 proposition). Of the 6 penalties on USC , three were on special teams. But the kicking was much better. Wood had 4 touchbacks and the start positions never passed the 24, except for one OOB. He also nailed a short 24 yard FG, his first USC FG made. And the punting also was good with a 44 yard per Punt average. The punt and kickoff returns were minimal due to Rehkows big leg. USC blocked Idaho's attempt for an extra point. Overall Grade: B-.
Coaching: This team is looking well coached and all together. The 6 penalties were still there and 2 came from vets Tuerk and Smith. As to third downs they were 1-6, and on 4th there was 1-1. It could be better but only 6 third downs, when the average is 15 a game is unusual due to big plays. I saw this team never give up even with a 40 plus point lead, when apathy usually setsin. Overall Grade: B
Misc, TV-Glenn Parker has always been a good color man, and he makes a good pairing with Roxy Bernstein The refs were a little better than last year not blowing the big ones,. The running into the passer was the correct call as the USC would- be blocker would have avoided any touch, minus the modest theatrics of the punter. But Jones scored on that 44 yard TD run not down at the 1. Overall Grades: C+
Bottom line/Next game Forecast - The use of lots of players makes for more experience, better depth and saves injuries, but I don't think we see that again for the next month of games. This was by no means a top team but what I see USC is a deeper, more talented team with a superior QB, and super deep offense. On D the DL is a minor question but the Linebackers and Safeties and maybe the CBs are better units. The ST is average. What's your opinion? Next week we meet a Stanford team whose defense lost a lot and whose offense seems mired in a conservative ball control system ...My Forecast..USC 24 Stanford 14.
Kudos to Idaho who were overmatched but played hard until the end. USC dominated this team at both lines. IU QB Linehan, son to the former Rams HC and now Cowboys OC, was pretty good getting what he could. But if anyone I would want from that team, it would be their Punter-place kicker, Austin Rehkow...that guy has some leg. As to the game it was 88 degrees with 50% Relative humidity to start and players were seen panting. Participation -USC cleaned its bench playing 81 (scholies and walk-ons) and Idaho played 52. Again 13 freshmen saw the field....you use them at all and their red shirt year is gone. But USC is missing 10 players from each of the Senior, Junior and Soph classes (NCAA "fairness") so USC is underclassmen heavy for a few years more. Idaho had a good third quarter, abandoning the pass-run and going more to short passes underneath the defense to score. USC came right back with a 6 play drive in 1:37 to negate it.
Offense: USC scored 59 points, gained 737 yards, and averaged 10 yards per play. They balanced run for 37 plays (7.7 ypr) and pass for 37 plays (12.2 yards per attempt). The tempo is becoming faster. An example is that after a ref ball placement, USC had the offensive snap 2 seconds later. They even have a warm up pattern aimed to start the second half out quickly.
QB: This game showed us that USC can complete the long pass...Though missing a few last week, Kessler had the top accuracy (greater than 50%) for deep passes in 2014 among the PAC 12 here went 3-4 with the sole miss long by only 2-3 yards. The catches were all TDS for 50 yards (JuJu) , 28 (Isaac Whitney) , and 41( JuJu). Overall Kessler hit on 84% !! of all his passes. Two of his 5 misses had receivers fall down, and there was one drop. He now has 7 TDs and no Interceptions. He completed 11 of his first 12 tosses connecting for 8 first downs and 8 passes of 10 yards or more. What else can one ask? But his one fault was on a third and 5 he passed incomplete instead of running it for a likely sustained drive. Backup Max Browne (5-6, 43 yards.) came in at the 14:42 mark of Q4 and looked good , if not a little nervous (happy Feet). Conner Sullivan came in with 5:20 to go. Overall Grade: A+
Receiving Game: As mentioned before the Receiving core is stronger and bigger than last year. This is really important in short passes on third downs and in downfield blocking. The first block opportunity at the line or downfield usually turns a play from a no gain to 5 or more yards. Dareus Rodgers was noted by Sark for his fierce blocks. And Juju is a strong man that throws a mean block. The receptions were 24 by Wide Receivers, 2 by TEs, 4 by RB/FB. A Jax had the best pass run of heading one direction, reversing field and heading the other, then reversing downfield for run of 30 yards north-south and probably 40 additional yards sidewise. Overall Grade: A.
Running Game: This team is waaayyy better than last years at the Running game. Last year it was Buck Allen and Justin Davis. This game its Justin (74 yards-14.8 ypc- 2TD) and Dominic Davis (37 yards-7.4 ypc- 3FD) , Tre Madden (40 yards-5.7 ypc- 2TD), Ronald Jones (84 yards-10.4 ypc- 1TD) , and Ced Ware. That's 5 fine runners and all bring something different to the field. Jones has that slide step to set direction into a hole and accelerates. All seem to have the ability to break that first tackler and make big gains while slaloming the opponents backfield. And that doesn't even include WR/ST/CB Adoree or WR Juju Smith...all breakaway threats that make this team unique. Jones is going to be sensational and Davis does a very good job following his blocking teammates. Overall Grade: A.
Oline: The OL started with a lineup of L to R: Banner, Lobendahn, Tuerk, Mama, and Wheeler. By the 4th quarter it was (not in order): Falah, Rodgers, Talmalivo, Edoga, and Chris Brown. They allowed no sacks and, only 2 plays lost yardage and one of those was by the 3rd QB Sullivan . The blocking at the line and downfield was super as seen by the numbers of positive yardage plays. On that Adoree 30 yard, plus a world tour, there were no penalties. I saw a step up in coordination and performance. Overall Grade: B
Defense- USC gave up 9 points, 311 yards, and Idaho averaged 4 yards per play. The mix of passes confused USC for a while in Q3 but they adjusted. More pressure was applied that amounted to 3 QB Hurries (nearly in the grasp). But getting to the QB remains an area for improvement with but 1 Sack by Cravens. The secondary held its own and held the Passing average to 5.3 yards per attempt. Gustin Porter shone at times from the Linebacker spot. As did Chris Hawkins from his safety slot. In fact the whole linebacker and safety units are becoming a strength of the defense. Overall Grades: D-Line B. Linebackers and secondary- B+.
Special Teams- Adoree Jackson sometimes needs to determine the hang time of Punts and call a fair catch before being battered by tacklers and not go back, to go forward (although he makes that a 50-50 proposition). Of the 6 penalties on USC , three were on special teams. But the kicking was much better. Wood had 4 touchbacks and the start positions never passed the 24, except for one OOB. He also nailed a short 24 yard FG, his first USC FG made. And the punting also was good with a 44 yard per Punt average. The punt and kickoff returns were minimal due to Rehkows big leg. USC blocked Idaho's attempt for an extra point. Overall Grade: B-.
Coaching: This team is looking well coached and all together. The 6 penalties were still there and 2 came from vets Tuerk and Smith. As to third downs they were 1-6, and on 4th there was 1-1. It could be better but only 6 third downs, when the average is 15 a game is unusual due to big plays. I saw this team never give up even with a 40 plus point lead, when apathy usually setsin. Overall Grade: B
Misc, TV-Glenn Parker has always been a good color man, and he makes a good pairing with Roxy Bernstein The refs were a little better than last year not blowing the big ones,. The running into the passer was the correct call as the USC would- be blocker would have avoided any touch, minus the modest theatrics of the punter. But Jones scored on that 44 yard TD run not down at the 1. Overall Grades: C+
Bottom line/Next game Forecast - The use of lots of players makes for more experience, better depth and saves injuries, but I don't think we see that again for the next month of games. This was by no means a top team but what I see USC is a deeper, more talented team with a superior QB, and super deep offense. On D the DL is a minor question but the Linebackers and Safeties and maybe the CBs are better units. The ST is average. What's your opinion? Next week we meet a Stanford team whose defense lost a lot and whose offense seems mired in a conservative ball control system ...My Forecast..USC 24 Stanford 14.
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