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Seventh HeavenUSC has had some legendary quarterbacks including two Heisman Trophy winners, but Cody Kessler stands alone as the only Trojan to throw seven touchdown passes in a single game. "It's awesome. It is a really cool feeling," Kessler said. "With all the quarterbacks that have come before me, it is a huge honor. They set the bar so high, and I am just proud to be in the same category with those guys." The junior finished another remarkably efficient night 19/26 for 319 yards and 0 INTs. He now has 18 TD passes on the season to only one interception. "It is an amazing thing. Cody deserves that," said WR Nelson Agholor, who caught three of the seven.
Lift the Lid
Kessler's big night came at the urging of head coach Steve Sarkisian who has been pushing his quarterback to be more aggressive down the field. "I've been banging the explosive play drum here for about three or four weeks," said Sarkisian. "Cody's belief in the guys tonight was excellent. He anticipated throws down the field. He threw when guys were covered one-on-one, but trusted them to make the plays." Agholor was the primary beneficiary catching 6 passes for a season-high 128 yards and 3 TDs, including a 75-yarder. "We have to win our one-on-ones," explained Agholor. "Explosive plays, that's what it's all about. If a team dares to play you man, you have to win."
A Second Option
While Agholor is the clear go-to guy in the USC passing game, JuJu Smith is starting to fill the void as the second dependable weapon through the air. He made 4 catches for 104 yards and his first career TD despite a bad thumb. He even reeled in a remarkable one-handed catch with his banged up hand. "He was tremendous," Sarkisian praised. "That's what is great about this team is we are really starting to understand to give yourself up for the team and to play as a team, and JuJu's performance exemplifies that."
Front Force
In Pac-12 play, the Trojans' defense has stuffed some of the best run offenses in the country including Stanford, Arizona and Arizona State thanks to a powerful front seven. "It is a mindset for the front seven," said LB Anthony Sarao, who had a team-high 12 tackles. "There's no special calls. We just had to take it on and show people that we can stop the run."Â The usual suspects like Leonard Williams and Hayes Pullard are starting to get some help from emerging youngsters like DT Claude Pelon and DE Greg Townsend, who each had sacks. "It all starts up front. It has to start with limiting the run game," said Sarkisian, who is already thinking about Utah. "It is going to be huge next Saturday night. We're going to need a great performance out of our defensive front."
Practicing the Finish
After letting late leads slip away against Arizona State and almost Arizona, Sarkisian pushed his defensive starters into the fourth quarter despite tonight's insurmountable margin. "The past two weeks, our fourth quarter defense has not been good at all, so Coach Sark let us know that we have to finish this game," said Sarao. "He'll handle all the questions about running up the score. We had to come out and finish no matter what it was going to be." Sarkisian explained, "We're going to be in dogfights. We're probably going to be in one next Saturday night in Utah, and we need to understand physically and mentally the toll of a four quarter game and how to play a four quarter game."
Ready for Midterms
After the Boston College loss, the young offensive line went back to school, and the unit has improved every game since. They paved the way for 213 more rushing yards and provided a pocket for Kessler's record-setting performance. Next week, the offensive line will get the ultimate midseason test against one of the best front seven's in the country. "They are a very aggressive defense, and very aggressive up front with a great pass rusher in Nate Orchard," Sarkisian provided the early scouting report. Utah averages 5.5 sacks per game, which is 1.5 more than any other team in the country.
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