University Southern California Trojans
6-Points: USC 39, WSU 36
September 22, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans dug out of a 13-point hole to even their record at 2-2 on the season.
The Response
A week ago, Texas ran off 34 consecutive points as the Trojans yielded in the second half. Tonight, facing a 13-point deficit in the third quarter, USC came together as a team and found a winning answer. "When you are faced with adversity, it defines who you are as a man," head coach Clay Helton said. "Those kids, down two scores in the second half, could make a choice, and they chose to fight on for their brothers and the Trojan Family." The Trojans extended their home winning streak to 18 straight. "It's a home game. We know we can't lose in the Coli, so we just came out here with a different attitude, executed the little things and played pitch and catch with the quarterbacks and receivers," said WR Tyler Vaughns (pictured).
JTD
The game turned into an old fashionedPac-10 Pac-12 shootout, and USC true freshman QB JT Daniels rose to the occasion. "He really did his thing," said Vaughns, who made 7 catches for 64 yards and a TD for Daniels. "He spread the ball around, so they couldn't just look one way. The offensive line was phenomenal today protecting him." Daniels finished the night 17/26 for 241 yards and 3 TD with 0 INT. "JT did a wonderful job of giving his [receivers] a chance to make the play or get the pass interference call," Helton said. "There were no overthrows or inaccurate balls. He found the one-on-one and gave our kids the opportunity."
Diablo
After a week of scrutiny, special teams delivered several key plays, but none bigger than the game-sealing blocked field goal by Jay Tufele. "He put a terrific plan together that every kid believed in for this game," Helton praised special teams coordinator John Baxter for finding a gap in Washington State's blocking scheme. "The last thing we talked about in our meeting today was that the 'Diablo' was going to make a big play. Jay Tufele was the 'Diablo' guy."
Hit and Run
The Trojans set the tone on the game's first drive by running five consecutive times for 75 yards and a touchdown. Offensive coordinator Tee Martin told his troops that they "had to establish a run game in order to get the offense going at all," said RB Vavae Malepeai, who scored twice. However, the running game largely stalled in the middle of the game before showing up to close it out in the fourth quarter. "It builds a lot of confidence" to end the game that way, Helton said. "They have taken a lot of heat over the last week and I am just so proud of them the way they responded."
Death by 1,000 Papercuts
In a role reversal from the last two weeks, the offense picked up the defense, which had trouble getting off the field against WSU QB Gardner Minshew II. "They did a really nice job on third and fourth down," Helton said about Washington State. "The short passing game was just moving the chains and creating long drives." The Cougars converted 7/16 on third down and 3/3 on fourth down. "It was our job to try to limit the plays, get three-and-outs and get off the field," said freshman DB Talanoa Hufanga, who made 9 tackles. "We struggled at times, but at the same time, we stayed together and we were able to get a stop." LB Cameron Smith led the way with 15 tackles, including two for loss.
The First Step
One win does not solve every problem, but it's a start. Helton explained that winning in this fashion boosted his team's "confidence." He also is encouraged by the growing "chemistry" and "balance" on the offensive side of the football. The next step for the Trojans is taking their show on the road and pulling out a win in Tucson next Saturday.
A week ago, Texas ran off 34 consecutive points as the Trojans yielded in the second half. Tonight, facing a 13-point deficit in the third quarter, USC came together as a team and found a winning answer. "When you are faced with adversity, it defines who you are as a man," head coach Clay Helton said. "Those kids, down two scores in the second half, could make a choice, and they chose to fight on for their brothers and the Trojan Family." The Trojans extended their home winning streak to 18 straight. "It's a home game. We know we can't lose in the Coli, so we just came out here with a different attitude, executed the little things and played pitch and catch with the quarterbacks and receivers," said WR Tyler Vaughns (pictured).
JTDThe game turned into an old fashioned
Diablo
After a week of scrutiny, special teams delivered several key plays, but none bigger than the game-sealing blocked field goal by Jay Tufele. "He put a terrific plan together that every kid believed in for this game," Helton praised special teams coordinator John Baxter for finding a gap in Washington State's blocking scheme. "The last thing we talked about in our meeting today was that the 'Diablo' was going to make a big play. Jay Tufele was the 'Diablo' guy."
Hit and Run
The Trojans set the tone on the game's first drive by running five consecutive times for 75 yards and a touchdown. Offensive coordinator Tee Martin told his troops that they "had to establish a run game in order to get the offense going at all," said RB Vavae Malepeai, who scored twice. However, the running game largely stalled in the middle of the game before showing up to close it out in the fourth quarter. "It builds a lot of confidence" to end the game that way, Helton said. "They have taken a lot of heat over the last week and I am just so proud of them the way they responded."
Death by 1,000 Papercuts
In a role reversal from the last two weeks, the offense picked up the defense, which had trouble getting off the field against WSU QB Gardner Minshew II. "They did a really nice job on third and fourth down," Helton said about Washington State. "The short passing game was just moving the chains and creating long drives." The Cougars converted 7/16 on third down and 3/3 on fourth down. "It was our job to try to limit the plays, get three-and-outs and get off the field," said freshman DB Talanoa Hufanga, who made 9 tackles. "We struggled at times, but at the same time, we stayed together and we were able to get a stop." LB Cameron Smith led the way with 15 tackles, including two for loss.
The First Step
One win does not solve every problem, but it's a start. Helton explained that winning in this fashion boosted his team's "confidence." He also is encouraged by the growing "chemistry" and "balance" on the offensive side of the football. The next step for the Trojans is taking their show on the road and pulling out a win in Tucson next Saturday.
The Trojans rallied to earn a hard-fought win over the Cougars tonight.#FightOn | @AsianaAirlines pic.twitter.com/k4GCTs4l9u
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) September 22, 2018
Players Mentioned
QB
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S
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TB
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ILB
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DL
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WR
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