Click here for the recap and final stats.
Click here for the Rapid Reaction.
Click here for the post-game press conference.
Feel Good WThe Trojans were embarrassed by their performance against Alabama, and they played like a team with a chip on its collective shoulder. "All week, we've been waiting, and waiting, and waiting to get that bad taste out of our mouth," said senior RB Justin Davis. "What we showed against Alabama is nothing close to what USC football is supposed to be." The collective anger was expressed in one play by JuJu Smith-Schuster who showed the edge and physicality that head coach Clay Helton preaches on a daily basis. The Trojans got back to the formula that led them to the Pac-12 South title last season: stop the run, run to open up the pass, play good special teams and create turnovers.
Baxter's Back
Helton made two big hires upon being named the full-time head coach. First, he brought back special teams coordinator John Baxter who has a knack for drawing up blocked kicks. In need of an early spark, special teams created "great momentum," per Helton, "especially the block punt right off the bat by Michael Pittman. Terrific job. Exactly how Coach Baxter drew it up." Later in the game, the amazing Adoree' Jackson raced 77 yards for his third career punt return for a touchdown. "[Baxter] preached all week that Adoree', if given the opportunity, would score a touchdown," said Helton.
Clancy Too
Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast was the other big addition to the coaching staff. "Thank goodness Clancy Pendergast is here," said Helton. After a dominant first half last week, Pendergast's crew put two halves together Saturday, and nearly pitched a shutout. Utah State came into the game as the No. 1 rushing team in the country, but the Trojans held the Aggies to 49 yards on 26 attempts. "When it comes to playing the run, we have a lot of potential there," said OLB Porter Gustin, who had 6 tackles, 2 TFLs and 1 sack. "We're really coming together all around in the run game, so I think that's actually going to be one of our strengths."
QB1 and QB1A
For the second consecutive week, Helton played two quarterbacks and Max Browne and Sam Darnold were "both very efficient," according to the head coach. Browne completed 23 of 30 for 182 yards and 2 TDs with 1 INT. Browne "wasn't perfect," said Helton, who added that he "missed a couple deep ball opportunities that I wish we had back." While Darnold played a lot, there is no quarterback controversy for the time being. Darnold is contributing in short yardage and red zone situations, and gaining experience because he is "one snap away from being the starter," explained Helton. The redshirt freshman went 5/7 for 62 yards and 2 TDs. Both quarterbacks threw the first touchdown passes of their college careers.
Spreading the Wealth
With so many eyes on Smith-Schuster, the offense diversified its attack. Ten different Trojans caught passes, led by Darreus Rogers (7 receptions for 82 yards), and four different players scored touchdowns, including two for JuJu. "Whoever is there is going to make our plays," said Browne. "It's great having a lot of weapons." Helton liked the ball control attack, which featured 208 yards on the ground, highlighted by 106 all-purpose yards from Davis and 57 yards on 11 carries and a TD for Aca'Cedric Ware. To make it all work, the offensive line "stepped up," per Helton, and provided time and room for the skill position players to shine.
Trip to the Farm
The offensive line needs to continue its improvement because the next two opponents, Stanford and Utah, feature fierce fronts. "I still believe that they're the best o-line in the country...and I kinda saw it a little bit today, which made me excited," said Davis about his front five. "We're going to have to take it up to a whole other level, myself included, at Stanford next week." The Trojans are all too familiar with the Cardinal. "They are the Pac-12 champs. We faced them twice last year on the short end. We have a huge challenge," said Helton. "We look forward to the opportunity." Expect another physical battle next Saturday in Palo Alto at 5 p.m. on ABC.
Here are the Pac-12 Network highlights from USC's 45-7 win over Utah State:
