MJDavidson WeAreSC Forums
Well, what more could any USC Fan really ask for? Regardless of the letdown that many might still feel after the Stanford loss and the Arizona close game, the total domination of the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium was a thing of beauty. Not only did the Trojans clobber the Domers, they shut them out, 38-0. Folks, I have been following this series for many years and it just does not get much better than this. To top it off, the weather was absolutely magnificent. Prior to the game there were rumors that there might be a tornado, rain, wind or whatever. In reality, the weather could not have been better. Man, what a day.
So what was it really like being there in person? It was a blast. The folks in the stadium were most hospitable and the game plans, both on offense and defense that SC brought to this game were also quite impressive. SC managed to gain 462 total yards while holding the Irish to a mere 165. Although numbers don’t always tell the story, in this case, they are very similar to the way the game played out. Although SC started in a rather conservative, close to the vest manner on offense, things opened up as the game progressed and the Irish were unable to stop what the Trojans brought to the table. As for the defense, watching the game in person allowed me to see for myself just how well the defensive backs actually covered their men closely and how much pressure the Trojans brought throughout the game. All told, it was a pleasure to watch this dismantling of the The Fighting Irish, no matter how weak this Irish team really is in almost all aspects.
On offense, the Trojans used a bevy of tailbacks and each and every one of them brought something of value to the game. Chauncey Washington was very workman like in his attempts and he showed just how tough he can be to bring to the ground. Stafon Johnson was also impressive in his eight carries as he averaged about 5.9 yards per carry. Unfortunately, Stafon was also involved in perhaps the one negative aspect of this whole game from a Trojan perspective. With the Trojans up 31-0, I thought it was very unfortunate that he seemingly reinsured his foot on his last attempt. I certainly can’t help but wonder if the coaches would rethink the decision to keep Johnson in the game at that late point if they had it to do once again. Although Joe McKnight had his share of negative carries early on, he once again showed that he is just the breakaway threat that USC so sorely needs out of the backfield. Late in the game, he went off tackle for a long 51 yard touchdown run. That makes two consecutive games in which Joe has broken off long runs and that certainly has to concern opposing defenses from here on. And perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the SC running game was the re-emergence of fullback Stanley Havili. Stanley averaged better than 5 yards per carry on his 6 attempts and man on man wasn’t that something special to see. This presents yet another potential headache for coaches to have to face in future games.
What about the play of the receivers? Well, Fred Davis once again showed that he has to be considered one of the elite Tight Ends in America. This kid runs like a big wide out but he has the size the pros just love to see in a tight end. He is making the most of his senior year and he has great hands as well as the ability to gain some major yards after the catch. For the most part, the rest of the wide receivers had nice games and didn’t all the Trojan Fans just love to see Vidal Hazelton make his best play of his relatively young Trojan career. His touchdown catch showed just how elusive this kid can be and it was also had to boost his confidence to another level. Patrick Turner was solid and even Joe McKnight was able to get separation on a long side line pattern. Yes, Desmond Reed did drop a ball that might have gone for a score, but he did come right back and make a nice play on the exact pattern shortly thereafter. Finally, I was able to view the entire field and to my eye the receivers were able to free themselves up pretty well and they were praised as one of the better units that the Notre Dame secondary had to face all year long. Being local in South Bend, my buddies and I were able to catch the Notre Dame extensive post game show and the Irish players were very candid in their analysis of USC.
And how about Mark Sanchez? He was pretty much in charge out their on the field and he made relatively few bad plays. I don’t want to get into any debate about a quarterback controversy, but I just love the mobility factor that Mark adds to the USC offense. I can’t know with certainty how many times Booty might have been sacked had he been out on the field, but I have a feeling that it would have been more than one. I also love the FACT that Mark Sanchez is simply able to scamper for a first down here and there whereas JD Booty almost never runs for major yards. As for his passing itself, to my way of thinking there is nothing shabby about hitting 21 of 38 for 235 yards and 4 touchdowns, all without throwing an interception. It certainly looks as if Mark commands the respect of his teammates out there and he also seems to be growing with each minute he plays. As of this time, he still does not have great touch on the long ball, but he rarely under throws the passes and I get the feeling he will master that as he gains experience. I don’t think one can overstate how impressive it is for a relatively new starter to throw for 4 scores.
As much as I was pleased with the offense, I have to emphasize what a great game the defense played. Folks, the Trojans may have been a bit passive in parts of the Arizona and Stanford games on the defensive side of the ball, but it was pressure, attack and lights out attacks for this whole game. Some guys on the internet have scoffed at the bend but don’t break defense (they also use some other less than flattering terms), but today, that approach seemed nowhere to be found. The corners for the Trojans played TIGHT COVERAGE and that was a sight that I personally had longed to see. Cary Harris, Terrell Thomas that Shareece Wright all stuck to their men like glue and where or where has that kind of play been for the past several games. Yes, I know that Notre Dame’s offense simply stinks, but that unit had been improving as of late. The Domers had managed some points against the likes of Boston College, but against USC that unit could do NOTHING. This Trojan defense was just awesome.
It was great to see Brian Cushing and a less than 100% Rey Maualuga in the game, sometimes at the same time. They were both very effective as were Thomas Williams and Kaluka Maiava at various times. They closed in quickly on the guys who caught the short pass and nobody could run effectively in this game against the Trojans. As for the dline, I can only imagine that the Notre Dame center will have nightmares tonight thinking of Sedrick Ellis. I have to believe that Ellis had his most impressive performance of his career. He was simply unblockable and he smashed through that incompetent Irish Oline as if it were not even playing. This was also a breakout game of sorts for young Everson Griffen. He blew by the Domer oline as if the guys were glued to the ground. However, there is no doubt that this kid is going to make lots of noise in his SC career.
As for special teams, things were somewhat mixed. On a negative note, Joe McKnight fumbled a punt but the Trojans retained possession. After sitting out for a few more punts, the staff reinserted Joe to field several other punts and he did a fine job. On a very positive note, SC punted a ball that hit an Irish player on the helmet, SC recovered the ball, and that play changed things very quickly. Shortly thereafter, SC scored a touchdown and there was no looking back. Unfortunately, USC had another kick blocked, this time of the punt variety. Fortunately, the Trojan defense bailed them out. The kickoff coverage was decent although on one kick, only Beuhler’s athleticism seemed to prevent the kick returner from going all the way.
Over the past several weeks, I personally got the feeling, as did several of my SC buddies, that this team is at a crossroads of sorts. The team had not played very well up to this point and as we all know, the loss to the Cardinal was one of the worst in its history. Truthfull I did not know what to expect from this team. Complicating the situation was that I had the good fortune to meet up with the very cerebral backup kicker, Brad Smith prior to the game. After listening to him, I was still not sure what is up with this team. Well, for the very first time all season, I think the Trojans played a complete and total game. Finally, at least to my eye, SC brought unrelenting defensive pressure and somebody, (Pete Carroll, I presume) took the cuffs off these great athletes. Man oh Man, speed and athleticism can be a lethal combination for a defensive when used in a complimentary fashion. If anyone doubts that SC has corners than can man up, forget about it. These guys can play man to man as well as most any other corners that I have seen. They were money in this game.
On a personal note, it was great to get to see the game in person. Notre Dame is a beautiful venue and the fans were hospitable. I got to meet some guys who read this site and I also ran into Brian Matthews, one of the major contributors to this WeAreSC internet site. Of all my trips to Notre Dame, this one was the most special. The social aspects were unrivaled, but remember this. The main purpose of the visit was to watch The Trojans hopefully kick the daylights out of Notre Dame and I was not disappointed. Not only did SC beat the Irish, the skunked ‘em. In fact SC inflicted the second worst beating the Irish have ever suffered through in their own house, you know, the one that Rockne built. We also got to see what looked like the best coaching job of the season by the SC staff. Overall, it was an awesome experience and now the Trojans have whipped the Irish 6 straight times. We haven’t caught up to them yet, but just give SC time.
And now comes the Oregon Ducks at Eugene. In all likelihood, SC will be significant underdogs in that game and all I can say is, “GOOD”. That means SC will have them just where they want them. Personally, I love when the Trojans are the underdogs. And exactly when was the last time SC performed poorly in that role, as the dog, that is?
Source: scfootball.blogspot.com
