University Southern California Trojans
Photo by: John McGillen
6-Points: USC 30, Cal 20
September 23, 2017 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
USC moves to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Pac-12 play.
The Trojans dominated the fourth quarter to extend their winning streak to 13 straight.
Click here for the recap and final stats.
Six Pack
The USC defense forced six turnovers, its most in a game since 2012, to separate from a sticky Cal team. "This was truly a team effort," said DB Ykili Ross who hauled in his first career interception in his first career start. The Trojans swarmed Cal QB Ross Bowers as Christian Rector and Josh Fatu recorded strip-sacks. Sophomore CB Jack Jones double dipped with a pair of interceptions. "I have a competitive nature to where I don't ever want to lose," Jones said. "If someone catches a ball on me, I'm losing, and I don't want that feeling." LB Cameron Smith and S Marvell Tell III tied for team-high honors with 12 tackles apiece.
Winning Time
The Trojans have not been making it look easy this season, but they continue to rack up victories by remaining calm when the seas get rough. "They are the most strong-willed in the face of adversity team that I've ever been around," said head coach Clay Helton proudly. "Even when things are not looking great at halftime, they find a way to get it done." Locked up at 13-all going into the fourth quarter, USC ran off 17 consecutive points to put Cal away. "Every day and every game is not going to be perfect," said WR Deontay Burnett. "We just have to make adjustments, move forward and keep fighting on."
Kickin' It
The Trojans only punched it in the end zone once in the first three quarters, but freshman kicker Chase McGrath kept his team in front by following up his heroic performance against Texas with a perfect day against Cal. "What confidence the kid is showing right now," Helton said about McGrath. "We gain confidence in him as a coaching staff. The team gains confidence in him. He's going to be a really good player." He went 3/3 on field goals, including a go ahead 46-yarder.
Start the Carr
In the absence of Ronald Jones II, Stephen Carr became the first true freshman to start at tailback for USC since Dillon Baxter in 2010. After a slow start offensively, Carr provided a spark. "I thought the run game started to flow a little bit with Steven and then getting the ball out into space," said Helton about the best offense USC ran in the first half. Carr accounted for 129 yards from scrimmage (82 rushing and 47 receiving) and a touchdown.
Picking Up the Pace
USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin along with QB coach Tyson Helton made two key adjustments to solve the early protection issues that were leading to Sam Darnold mistakes. First, they focused on getting the ball out of the QB's hand quickly. "We just had to call plays where their defense couldn't really get to him, so he could get the ball out quicker and it seemed to work," said Burnett, who had 76 yards receiving on 9 catches. Second, the offense was at its best when it played quickly. "They really felt that the tempo was the key," Helton said about his offensive play-callers. "It seemed to get our offense in a little bit better rhythm." Darnold finished the game 26 of 38 for 223 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Friday Night Lights
If you thought the last two weeks were tough, the Trojans are walking into a cauldron next week. "What an incredible atmosphere that is going to be on a short week on a Friday night in the Palouse," said Helton about USC's road matchup against No. 18 Washington State. "It's going to be a lot of fun. We've got a big challenge on our hands." The combination of Mike Leach's offense and Wazzu QB Luke Falk will be the toughest test to date for this USC defense.
Click here for the recap and final stats.
Six PackThe USC defense forced six turnovers, its most in a game since 2012, to separate from a sticky Cal team. "This was truly a team effort," said DB Ykili Ross who hauled in his first career interception in his first career start. The Trojans swarmed Cal QB Ross Bowers as Christian Rector and Josh Fatu recorded strip-sacks. Sophomore CB Jack Jones double dipped with a pair of interceptions. "I have a competitive nature to where I don't ever want to lose," Jones said. "If someone catches a ball on me, I'm losing, and I don't want that feeling." LB Cameron Smith and S Marvell Tell III tied for team-high honors with 12 tackles apiece.
Winning Time
The Trojans have not been making it look easy this season, but they continue to rack up victories by remaining calm when the seas get rough. "They are the most strong-willed in the face of adversity team that I've ever been around," said head coach Clay Helton proudly. "Even when things are not looking great at halftime, they find a way to get it done." Locked up at 13-all going into the fourth quarter, USC ran off 17 consecutive points to put Cal away. "Every day and every game is not going to be perfect," said WR Deontay Burnett. "We just have to make adjustments, move forward and keep fighting on."
Kickin' It
The Trojans only punched it in the end zone once in the first three quarters, but freshman kicker Chase McGrath kept his team in front by following up his heroic performance against Texas with a perfect day against Cal. "What confidence the kid is showing right now," Helton said about McGrath. "We gain confidence in him as a coaching staff. The team gains confidence in him. He's going to be a really good player." He went 3/3 on field goals, including a go ahead 46-yarder.
Start the Carr
In the absence of Ronald Jones II, Stephen Carr became the first true freshman to start at tailback for USC since Dillon Baxter in 2010. After a slow start offensively, Carr provided a spark. "I thought the run game started to flow a little bit with Steven and then getting the ball out into space," said Helton about the best offense USC ran in the first half. Carr accounted for 129 yards from scrimmage (82 rushing and 47 receiving) and a touchdown.
Picking Up the Pace
USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin along with QB coach Tyson Helton made two key adjustments to solve the early protection issues that were leading to Sam Darnold mistakes. First, they focused on getting the ball out of the QB's hand quickly. "We just had to call plays where their defense couldn't really get to him, so he could get the ball out quicker and it seemed to work," said Burnett, who had 76 yards receiving on 9 catches. Second, the offense was at its best when it played quickly. "They really felt that the tempo was the key," Helton said about his offensive play-callers. "It seemed to get our offense in a little bit better rhythm." Darnold finished the game 26 of 38 for 223 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Friday Night Lights
If you thought the last two weeks were tough, the Trojans are walking into a cauldron next week. "What an incredible atmosphere that is going to be on a short week on a Friday night in the Palouse," said Helton about USC's road matchup against No. 18 Washington State. "It's going to be a lot of fun. We've got a big challenge on our hands." The combination of Mike Leach's offense and Wazzu QB Luke Falk will be the toughest test to date for this USC defense.
Players Mentioned
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TB
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QB
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DT
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CB
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TB
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PK
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DL
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S
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ILB
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