Click here for the recap and final stats.
Click here for the post-game press conference.
No Answers
Oregon put up an absurd 62 points and 730 total yards, which are both records by an opponent against the Trojans. USC has lost back-to-back games to spread teams, and the defense has been exposed after a strong first half of the season. "If you have back-to-back games like that with over 600 yards [given up], we've got to look at what we're doing obviously. That's not where we want to be," said Lane Kiffin when asked about needing a philosophical change to his defensive schemes. "I do not have that answer for you right now or else I would have tried to fix it during the game."Red Zone Mistakes
USC nearly matched the Ducks with 615 total yards, but the Trojans did not maximize their opportunities in the red zone. On USC's first drive, the Trojans settled for a field goal after Nelson Agholor dropped a touchdown pass. On the second series, Matt Barkley threw an interception in the end zone after it appeared Marqise Lee was held on the route. And right before the half, Lee fumbled trying to make a play after the catch. "Unfortunately, we shot ourselves in the foot," said Lane Kiffin. "The game comes down to three offensive possessions."
Marvelous Marqise
Lee backed up his Pac-12 record setting performance against Arizona with 157 yards receiving on 12 catches and 2 TDs. He also returned eight kickoffs for 251 yards including an 82-yard sprint down the sideline. On the national stage, he made another case to be considered the best player in the country. "I am really amazed at what Marqise does," said Agholor. "You just talk about the passion he plays with as a football player and that's something that every day I try to mirror."
Appreciate Barkley
Do not take Matt Barkley for granted. The senior quarterback has passed for a combined 977 yards the last two weeks. Yes, both games were losses. Yes, he also threw four interceptions. But, no USC quarterback has ever produced those numbers in back-to-back games. He felt the pressure to make plays tonight as the Trojans had to match the Ducks score for score. "We knew it was going to be a shootout," said Barkley. "I felt like we had to play perfect on offense." Full Nelson
True freshman WR Nelson Agholor (video interview below) had a career game with six catches for 162 yards and his first career touchdown. "We really felt that Nelson would have a really big game today," said Kiffin. "We knew that there was going to be focus on [Lee and Robert Woods], especially after last week. He played great."
The Big Picture
Sitting at 6-3 after a preseason No. 1 ranking, Lane Kiffin shouldered the blame for the disappointment. "All of it," the head coach took the criticism straight on. "We're not pointing fingers here," but, "you've always got to look at yourself." The Trojans can still salvage this season by winning the Pac-12 South, which would set-up a likely rematch with the Ducks in Eugene for a spot in the Rose Bowl.
Extra-Point...
The Pride of Woods
Robert Woods earned a much deserved Coliseum ovation after fighting for every yard in the dying seconds despite the outcome no longer being in doubt. "The effort that he plays, in probably his 80th snap of the game, speaks a lot of these kids," said Kiffin about Woods.
Penalties
"I was proud of how the kids cleaned up the penalties," said Kiffin. The Trojans had only three penalties enforced against them and no personal fouls.
( Photos by Wally Skalij/LA Times)
Here is the freshman wideout Nelson Agholor after the game...
