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Pick Party
Lane Kiffin made it clear that turnover margin will be the key stat this season, and the Trojans are off to a +2 start thanks to four interceptions. New defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast consistently used three safeties to get Josh Shaw, Su'a Cravens and Dion Bailey (pictured) on the field at the same time. All three ended up with interceptions, including a pick-six for Shaw. "It felt great. It is my first time scoring since high school," Shaw said. "We have the ability to be one of the best secondaries in the country."Half and Half
The quarterback rotation was simple as it turned out. Cody Kessler played the first half, while Max Wittek took the great majority of the second half snaps. Both QBs had their moments, but overall, the offense is a work in progress. "We'll go back and watch the film before making any big statements," said Kiffin about evaluating the competition. "Both guys had times that they could have played better out there, but we could have played better around them, and I could have coached better." Kessler finished 10/19 for 95 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT, while Wittek went 5/10 for 77 yards. Wittek's numbers were greatly effected by two dropped deep balls, one by Marqise Lee and another by Nelson Agholor.
Attack Mode
Hawaii QB Taylor Graham will need a serious ice bath when he wakes up tomorrow after taking a pounding from the Trojans' front seven. In all, the USC defense finished with 7 sacks, 9 tackles-for-loss and 10 QB hits. Pendergast's 5-2 attack was relentless. "We have a lot of other stuff still to come," said Kiffin, who was thrilled with the defensive performance. "It was great to see us play that way and be that aggressive." Leonard Williams and George Uko led the way with two sacks apiece.
Ground and Pound
Lane Kiffin called the offensive plays to match the dominance of his defense. He kept the game plan conservative by focusing on the power game with Tre Madden (pictured), who ran 18 times for 109 yards, and using Justin Davis (14 carries for 74 yards) as a change of pace. "We definitely focused on that during camp, running the ball and opening it up for the passing game," said Madden, who made his first career start at tailback. "We just want to be a balanced attack." Kiffin called 38 runs and 36 pass plays.Fresh and Easy
The next generation of Trojans did not wait long to make their mark. Davis scored the first TD of his career, while Darreus Rogers, Ty Isaac and Leon McQuay all contributed. But, Su'a Cravens stole the show with 4 tackles and a pick starting at safety. "Su'a getting his first start, and setting the tone and getting the interception first, that was big for us and huge for his confidence," said Shaw about his freshman running mate. "We all know he can do it. All he does is make plays."
Two Right Feet
The kicking game does not get much Fall Camp coverage, but both specialists delivered in the season opener. Andre Heidari made all three field goal attempts, including a career-best boot from 52 yards at the halftime gun. In his first career start, Kris Albarado averaged 43.3 yards per punt, and pinned the Warriors inside their 20 four times, including rolling the ball to the one-yard line.
Extra Point...
Corner Help?
During the game, starting cornerbacks Anthony Brown and Kevon Seymour were both lost to apparent leg injuries. Devian Shelton and Torin Harris filled in admirably, but the possibility of Josh Shaw returning to corner looms as a potential remedy. "If that does happen, I'm open to it. Whatever I can do to help the team," Shaw said.
(Photos by Pierson Clair)
Here is Lane Kiffin with the media after the game...
