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Offensive ODespite getting the ball time after time in advantageous positions, the offense was only able to generate seven points. "To do what we did passing today, I've never been a part of anything like that," said head coach Lane Kiffin. The USC quarterbacks combined to complete 11/21 for 54 yards and 2 INTs, including a pick-six which tied the score right before halftime. "The offense, we just kept going," said center Marcus Martin. "We did everything that we could, kept trying to move the ball. Unfortunately, we just didn't execute."
Dominant D
On the other side of the ball, the defense has been nearly perfect through two games. Outside of a missed tackle which led to the game-winning field goal, Clancy Pendergast's unit pitched a shutout and forced three turnovers. "Our defense played lights out. They played great for two weeks in a row. That change has been great for us," said Kiffin. For the second consecutive game, safety Dion Bailey led the team in tackles (10) and came down with a pick.
Quarterback Questions
The quarterback situation is no clearer after two games. Cody Kessler played the first half, and Max Wittek took the second half, but neither found a rhythm. "We can't go 11/21 for 54 yards. Those are like 4th grade numbers when you're watching little kids play," said Kiffin. "We've got to get that fixed." Kessler shouldered the blame for the costly pick-six, and vowed to turn this offense around. "I obviously wish there was a lot of things I could have done better," Kessler said. "I, personally, take 100% of the blame. One thing I can say, you won't see that side of the Trojans again. You won't see us play like that offensively. It's not who we are."
Breslin's BackThe defensive front seven only got stronger tonight with the return of OLB Morgan Breslin (pictured), who picked up right where he left off last season by getting two sacks. "We thought that our front especially with Morgan coming back would give them a lot of issues and that was the case," said Kiffin. Breslin was not alone. George Uko's strip-sack setup the lone touchdown, and Devon Kennard was again omnipresent. "We were just looking to try to get pressure in his face, effect him, and hit him a couple times, and that's what we were able to do," said Uko about WSU QB Connor Halliday. "I felt we were very effective for how quick he gets the ball out."
Mad Madden
Tre Madden literally carried the load offensively. He ran it 32 times for 151 yards, and accounted for 163 of USC's 193 total yards for the game. "When I got the ball, I just ran as hard as I could," said Madden (pictured). "It feels bad just cause we lost. All the stats, it doesn't mean anything to me." Counting the sacks, the Trojans ran the ball twice as many times as they passed it (42 to 21).
Now What?
The Trojans are down but not out. They admitted to being "hurt" by this loss, and conceded that it might take a day or two to fully swallow, but the season is still young. "Everyone just pull together as a team and just understand that there's more than two games in a season," said Uko. "We have a certain standard that we set here at 'SC, and we have to live up to that no matter what." The head coach made the same point. "It is one game," said Kiffin. "You stay the course. You can't freak out after one game, and focus on some positives in there about the way the defense played today, and the way Tre ran today, and get the rest of the stuff fixed."
Extra Point
Unfriendly Confines
Lane Kiffin heard the crowd's derisive cheers throughout the game, and particularly at the end. "It is what it is. I've got to coach better. We've got to play better. That's not a performance that anybody should have to pay to see," he said.
(Photos by Jenn Kassar)
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