USC-Oregon State: Rights And Wrongs
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
After a long bye week, the USC Trojans re-evaluated themselves and jumped right back to their winning ways with a 35-10 rout of Oregon State. A 31-yard interception returned for a touchdown kicked off the momentum for USC. However, the Hail Mary touchdown at the end of the first half set the ultimate tempo.
The Trojans defense held true to their streak of not allowing a passing touchdown. The ground game returned, the offense looked more complete, the team just looked back in the groove. And, of course, Cody Kessler was his usual cool, consistent self.
#USC QB Cody Kessler has the most pass attempts in the country among QBs without any INTs. In same group, only Mariota has more TDs
— USC Football News (@USCFootballNews) September 30, 2014
There’s lots of good to find in the Trojans’ performance and very little bad to analyze, however, there’s always room for improvement.
What Went Right
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Cody Kessler Cody Kessler has been the model of consistency for USC. His 10 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, as well as 70% completion rate are stats that only one other quarterback in the nation can boast: Marcus Mariota. 137 passing attempts have come and gone, and Kessler has yet to throw an interception. Despite Mariotta being the key Pac-12 quarterback in the spotlight, Cody Kessler has proven to be an underrated gem in his own right.
Kessler even had to steal the thunder from Sean Mannion, the likely Pac 12 all-time passing yards leader by season’s end. His out-performing of Mannion, who’s considered to be a top-tier prospect as a pocket passer at the next level, potentially boosts Kessler among the likes of Mannion and Mariota.
Ground Game
The Trojans made up for their Boston College blunder in the ground game with 200 yards on 48 carries split between Javorius Allen, Justin Davis, and walk-on redshirt freshman James Toland IV. Coach Sarkisian’s willingness to actually USE his depth at the running back position paid off. Despite the revolving door of running backs who have bailed on the program within the last month, the Trojans still have a heavy pipeline of talent at the position.
It’s a promising sign to see USC placing more emphasis on the ground attack. There’s great potential with the abundance of talent and Sarkisian’s willingness to rotate his backs constantly to keep them fresh.
Wide Receivers
Another key point of emphasis has been Trojan wide receivers stepping up and making plays. Ajene Harris, JuJu Smith, Bryce Dixon, Darreus Rogers, George Farmer, and Randall Telfer all provided ‘number one’ receiver Nelson Agholor a competent supporting cast versus Oregon State by recording multiple receptions.
USC is virtually unstoppable offensively when the ground game and weapons at wide receiver establish their presence in games. Additionally, with two highly competent backfield reception weapons in Davis and Allen, it’s undeniable how high-powered the Trojans’ offense can be.
Defense
The Trojans’ defense picked up where they left off from the Stanford game and that is a promising sign. Where Josh Shaw’s status was once a problem, Chris Hawkins has continued to rise up the ranks as a more than capable starting corner. Su’a Cravens is becoming a near Troy Polamalu-like presence in the secondary as well and THAT will strike fear in all opponents lining up against USC who like to throw the ball down-field.
Su'a Cravens led #USC with 6 tackles. He also had an INT, sack and two tackles for loss
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) September 28, 2014
Oh, and may I add that the defensive line is here to stay? Leonard Williams is STILL Leonard Williams. He commanded double and triple teams versus Oregon St. that made it possible for J.R. Tavai, Anthony Sarano, and others in the linebacker core and on the defensive line to create havoc. There’s a reason the Trojans have yet to allow a touchdown pass. And, that reason is due to the USC defense doing what they do best and putting pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run.
Despite the oft-mentioned depth issues on defense, the Trojans are just that talented all around on defense to make up for that detail. A game like the one against Oregon St. validates that claim.
Key stat: The Trojans forced the Beavers to go one for ten on 3rd down. That is what shut-down defenses do. Oregon State has a very talented offense as well as a NFL-caliber quarterback. This is something to build upon and be optimistic that the defense is ready to begin dominating.
What Went Wrong
Penalties
14 penalties for 124 yards. This has to stop. Bottom line. Discipline is a major key to winning big games. Oregon St. faced off with their first opponent of equal talent and were ultimately punched in the mouth by USC. Don’t expect programs like Arizona State (next on the schedule), UCLA, Arizona, etc., to be inept on capitalizing when you have 14 penalties for over 100 yards. These teams are all battle-tested and the Trojans won’t be so lucky every time.
Live Feed
Saturday Blitz
54. Final. 3. 123. 28
Return Game/Special Teams
It may be knit-picking, but Oregon St. punted the ball 8 times for 322 yards and USC only had 12 return yards TOTAL. In the game of field position, it would be nice to see the Trojans work out the kinks of their punt return game to establish a shorter field for the offense to work with. Nelson Agholor needs a bit more physicality from his blockers to do one of the many things he does best, and that’s return punts.
Ryan Murphy’s 97-yard kickoff return? Yeah, that needs to NOT be a pattern with the special teams game. Call it luck or whatever you may, as long as it doesn’t become a reoccurring theme. Big plays on special teams can kill momentum in any game. USC will need to continue to work the kinks out to prevent giving up such plays.
Overall
USC needed a bounce-back game after a humiliating loss that could have definitely broken the psyche of a young program. However, the Trojans found themselves during their bye week and Steve Sarkisian rallied his troops to play a solid game. Despite minor flaws and adjustments necessary for USC to keep building upon their progress, the Trojans looked rejuvenated versus Oregon State.
USC faces a tall task next on the schedule versus an Arizona State team that was completely destroyed by UCLA the previous week. USC knows all about that considering the finale of the Lane Kiffin era came opposite the Sun Devils. This game will be huge for the Trojans’ season. There’s a team still sore off of an embarrassing home loss, and a team that will seek vengeance for an embarrassing loss in 2013. And, the storm of the Pac 12 conference schedule is just beginning.