University Southern California Trojans
6-Points: USC 38, Oregon State 21
November 04, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans are now 5-4 on the season and 4-3 in conference.
Fresh Start
After a tough week for both the coaching staff and the players, USC responded with a 17-point road victory and its most yards (509) in a game this season. "I just thought the whole thing together - offense, defense, special teams - both staff and players, it was a full game by our team," head coach Clay Helton said. "I am so proud for them and I thank them for their attitude and effort." Amazingly, the Trojans are back in a tie atop the Pac-12 South with two more conference games remaining, starting with Homecoming in the Coliseum against Cal on Saturday. "Keep playing SC Football," senior RB Aca'Cedric Ware said. "If we keep playing our style of game, nobody is going to be able to stop us."
Running Riot
With Helton calling the plays, the Trojans made a concerted effort to run the ball, racking up a season-high 332 yards on the ground. "I thought the big men controlled the game," Helton praised the offensive line. "It's so easy to call plays when that run game is effective." Ware paced the Trojans with a career-high 205 yards rushing, while Vavae Malepeai topped the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career. "We just played our game," Ware said. "The o-line did a helluva job. We came out with a will. We knew we had to dominate."
Priority One
The USC defense showed up to Reser Stadium with the goal of shutting down the Pac-12's leading rusher. "Jermar Jefferson is a really talented back with a really bright future and to be able to hold him under his normal rush total was huge today," Helton said. Jefferson was limited to 58 yards on 3.2 yards per carry, while Oregon State managed just a yard per rush attempt as a team.
Turning Point
After USC burst out to a 21-0 advantage, the Beavers wrestled away momentum and rolled the dice, down by 7, with a fake field goal deep in Trojan territory. LB Jordan Iosefa recognized the fake and got USC in the right defense. From there, Cameron Smith's instincts took over, and the senior captain foiled the play, nearly intercepting the pass. "I wish I would have hung on to it. I am just glad we got them off the field," said Smith, who might have returned the pick for a touchdown. "Would I like to have it back? Yes, I would." Nevertheless, the play was a great example of how the Trojans have missed Smith during his injury absence. "He is the calm in all the chaos," Helton said.
Halftime Fix
OSU QB Jake Luton ate USC up in the first half with slant after slant. To combat the problem, USC DC Clancy Pendergast played more coverage in the second half, relying on a four-man rush to get pressure, and switched top corner Iman Marshall over to Luton's preferred side. "It's high percentage, low risk and it's really hard to stop," Smith said of all the slants. "I think we made really good adjustments at half. We stopped the run and we were able to add pressure on them. That's where we really shine as a defense." The Trojans piled up six sacks led by DE Christian Rector who had 2.5 sacks and 3.5 TFLs.
Meet Devon Williams
Junior WR Michael Pittman Jr. exited the game in the first half with a shoulder injury, which gave freshman WR Devon Williams the chance to knock off some milestones. The tall target hauled in his first college catch and quickly followed it with his first touchdown, a 41-yard strike on a perfect pass from JT Daniels. "It meant a lot," said Williams (3 catches for 77 yards and 1 TD). "I just had to step up for my big brother and my teammates, I couldn't let them down."
After a tough week for both the coaching staff and the players, USC responded with a 17-point road victory and its most yards (509) in a game this season. "I just thought the whole thing together - offense, defense, special teams - both staff and players, it was a full game by our team," head coach Clay Helton said. "I am so proud for them and I thank them for their attitude and effort." Amazingly, the Trojans are back in a tie atop the Pac-12 South with two more conference games remaining, starting with Homecoming in the Coliseum against Cal on Saturday. "Keep playing SC Football," senior RB Aca'Cedric Ware said. "If we keep playing our style of game, nobody is going to be able to stop us."
Running RiotWith Helton calling the plays, the Trojans made a concerted effort to run the ball, racking up a season-high 332 yards on the ground. "I thought the big men controlled the game," Helton praised the offensive line. "It's so easy to call plays when that run game is effective." Ware paced the Trojans with a career-high 205 yards rushing, while Vavae Malepeai topped the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career. "We just played our game," Ware said. "The o-line did a helluva job. We came out with a will. We knew we had to dominate."
Priority One
The USC defense showed up to Reser Stadium with the goal of shutting down the Pac-12's leading rusher. "Jermar Jefferson is a really talented back with a really bright future and to be able to hold him under his normal rush total was huge today," Helton said. Jefferson was limited to 58 yards on 3.2 yards per carry, while Oregon State managed just a yard per rush attempt as a team.
Turning Point
After USC burst out to a 21-0 advantage, the Beavers wrestled away momentum and rolled the dice, down by 7, with a fake field goal deep in Trojan territory. LB Jordan Iosefa recognized the fake and got USC in the right defense. From there, Cameron Smith's instincts took over, and the senior captain foiled the play, nearly intercepting the pass. "I wish I would have hung on to it. I am just glad we got them off the field," said Smith, who might have returned the pick for a touchdown. "Would I like to have it back? Yes, I would." Nevertheless, the play was a great example of how the Trojans have missed Smith during his injury absence. "He is the calm in all the chaos," Helton said.
Halftime Fix
OSU QB Jake Luton ate USC up in the first half with slant after slant. To combat the problem, USC DC Clancy Pendergast played more coverage in the second half, relying on a four-man rush to get pressure, and switched top corner Iman Marshall over to Luton's preferred side. "It's high percentage, low risk and it's really hard to stop," Smith said of all the slants. "I think we made really good adjustments at half. We stopped the run and we were able to add pressure on them. That's where we really shine as a defense." The Trojans piled up six sacks led by DE Christian Rector who had 2.5 sacks and 3.5 TFLs.
Meet Devon Williams
Junior WR Michael Pittman Jr. exited the game in the first half with a shoulder injury, which gave freshman WR Devon Williams the chance to knock off some milestones. The tall target hauled in his first college catch and quickly followed it with his first touchdown, a 41-yard strike on a perfect pass from JT Daniels. "It meant a lot," said Williams (3 catches for 77 yards and 1 TD). "I just had to step up for my big brother and my teammates, I couldn't let them down."
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
ILB-OLB
/ Football
TB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DL
/ Football
ILB
/ Football
TB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballTuesday, June 23
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
