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USC Football: 5 Things We Learned vs ASU and What They Mean For Colorado
Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; American sprinter Allyson Felix (center) runs onto the field with Southern California Trojans head coach Clay Helton (left) and hits team prior to the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
USC football played a complete game against ASU, their first in recent memory. Here’s the five things we learned from the win and what they mean going forward.
In a must-win game at the Coliseum, the Trojans proved they could solve all the problems which have plagued them this season, moving the ball effectively and finishing drives offensively while also creating pressure and taking the opposing offense off the field.
It was the first time in a long while, USC’s offense and defense both operated at a high level in the same span, from drive to drive, quarter to quarter and through the game.
Coming up is the next must-win game for the Trojans, who will still have plenty to prove when the Colorado Buffaloes come to town.
Here’s what we learned vs ASU and what it’ll mean when USC takes on Colorado…
Depth Helps…When It’s Used
Trojan coaches expressed concern in the week about the toll facing an uptempo offense like ASU’s might have on the defensive personnel. After all, USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast prefers to rely on his starters with just a few trusted subs. When the defense was on the field for 81 plays against Utah, it showed.
As a result, USC changed the approach on Saturday at the Coliseum, on both offense and defense.
Defensive linemen Josh Fatu and Christian Rector made early cameos, as did receiver Michael Pittman. Chris Hawkins, Matt Lopes and Quinton Powell entered the game early and often on defense.
USC stayed fresh against the Sun Devils, and it showed.
What does that mean for Colorado?
The worry surrounding ASU was having the defense on the field for 80 snaps again, but in truth, the Sun Devils had only reached that number twice this season.
USC’s next opponent has done it four times in five games. In fact, Colorado average 82 plays, falling below that once in their loss to Michigan.
With that in mind, it’s a good thing the Trojans realized how dependable depth can be
Sep 26, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Deontay Burnett (80) reacts as he celebrates on the sidelines in the fourth quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
There Are Stars Everywhere
Anyone who says they predicted that Jonathan Lockett and Deontay Burnett would be the stars for USC against ASU is simply telling a baldface lie.
Surprise though it was, Lockett and Burnett left the field knowing that they had played the best game of their Trojan careers and that they had been among the best players on the field.
Lockett was lockdown. His interception kept ASU from capitalizing on USC’s perplexing decision to attempt a fourth-down conversion on their own side of the field. He also co-led the team in tackles, had a tackle for loss and a critical third-down pass break up.
Burnett stepped up on offense, matching JuJu Smith-Schuster’s seven catches to lead all receivers. He was constantly available for Sam Darnold and held onto everything thrown his way, including a 40-yard bomb.
What does that mean for Colorado?
When opposition coaches complete their standard, “USC is the most talented team we’ll face” speech, this is what they are talking about.
It’s not that the Trojans always live up to that talent, but there are always figures on the periphery who are capable making a big impact.
USC will need a couple of those guys to step up against Colorado, who might be the hottest team in the Pac-12. The question is, will it be Lockett and Burnett, or another pair of talent Trojans taking their shot.
Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) attempts to scramble away from Arizona State Sun Devils defensive lineman JoJo Wicker (1) during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
As Darnold Goes, USC Goes
Sam Darnold was excellent in his second game starting for USC, continuing to display the qualities that prompted Clay Helton to make a midseason quarterback switch.
The QB threw for 352 yards, hit three touchdowns and ran the Trojan offense with both pizzazz and efficiency.
Darnold’s ability to get the ball out quickly on slants, then find receivers long kept ASU’s defense honest, opening up room for USC to do damage in the running game.
Through two games, it’s already clear that USC’s offensive identity revolves around Darnold and his exciting skillset.
What does that mean for Colorado?
The exceptional start to Darnold’s career must continue, because there is no evidence to suggest the Trojans could survive a poor QB performance.
Despite Helton’s insistence that USC’s offense is run-first and that he prefers the run, the Trojans have not leaned on that side of the ball despite great performances by Justin Davis in both games Darnold has started.
That’s not a problem if the redshirt freshman maintains his level. However, the Colorado Buffaloes field a defense much more capable than ASU’s, especially with Chidobe Awuzie and Ahkello Witherspoon putting in top showings at cornerback.
Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Clay Helton (right) and Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham (left) meet after the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Southern California Trojans won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Helton’s Headscratching Decision-Making Won’t Go Away
For the third game in a row, Clay Helton made a fourth-down decision that left everyone watching scratching their head.
Against Stanford, he surrender-punted in the fourth quarter. Against Utah, he punted on fourth-and-short from the Ute 37, trusting a gassed defense. This time, against ASU, he flipped the switch and opted not to punt…except it was on his own side of the field on the first drive of the game.
After the final whistle, Helton explain that he was scared of ASU’s offense and didn’t want to give the ball back to them. But he did just that, in great field position, because the Trojans were stuffed for a four-yard loss on the conversion attempt.
The most troublesome thing about Helton’s decisions is that they have all been counter to evidence. The two punts were examples of him putting faith in his defense, despite fresh evidence that the Trojans were not equipped to stop the opposing offense.
As for the fourth-down, USC had already been stopped for a loss and no gain on two runs. Running again in the same fashion and expecting it to work was stubbornness at it’s finest.
What does that mean for Colorado?
USC is favored by five over the Buffaloes, but taking the conventional three-point boost home teams are usually afforded, oddsmakers see the match up as quite close.
Helton’s decision this time didn’t effect the final outcome, but in a tight contest with Colorado, every decision could matter.
Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (right) runs the ball tackled by Southern California Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (left) during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Pressure Makes All The Difference
USC had three sacks on Alabama and two sacks on Utah State, but for two weeks after it seemed as though the Trojans went into a shell and forgot about the importance of hitting the quarterback.
After failing to touch either Ryan Burns of Stanford or Troy Williams of Utah, USC noted the need to generate pressure against ASU’s Manny Wilkins, then did just that.
Clancy Pendergast changed up his defensive alignment up front, showing the Sun Devils a variety of looks and sending in blitzes of every type. As a result, the Trojans sacked Wilkins three times and hurried him twice.
Before he went out injured, it was obvious that the pressure was getting to Wilkins. He missed several open opportunities, hurried his throws and looked flustered.
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Wilkins’ replacement, Brady White, was similarly ineffective against the relentless pass rush.
What does that mean for Colorado?
Whether USC faces Sefo Liufau returned from injury, or back up Colorado QB Steven Montez, the key once again will be getting to the quarterback.
Last year the Buffaloes gave up an average of three sacks per game, which was among the worst protections in the conference.
This year, they’ve cut that number in half, allowing just eight on the year or 1.6 sacks per game. Half of those were against Michigan, Colorado’s only loss in 2016.
When the Trojans last met the Buffaloes they generated six sacks — a season high. Challenging Colorado with a similarly effective pass rush is imperative.
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