Finally, for the first time in a while, the Trojans played a complete game, dominating on both sides of the ball, with the offense clicking in both the passing and running aspects of the game and the defense shutting down the run and more or less preventing the big play. Offensive coordinator called 25 pass plays in the first half to get QB John David Booty going, which worked, as he threw for 279 yards and 4 touchdowns, though it still seems the threat of the deep ball is still missing, which may develop as WRs Vidal Hazelton and David Ausberry grow into their roles. But TE Fred Davis had a monster game, catching 9 balls for 124 yards and 2 scores. The run game seemed to be absent in the first half, but we still managed to gain over 200 yards on the ground. The offensive line again was dominant, and there were also a couple of surprises in the backfield. RB Hershel Dennis had a nice cameo at running back, but it was really nice to see Joe McKnight get some touches and be productive with them, and it was exciting to see the potential we have in the punt return game with his long return in the second half. No real complaints from me on the offense here.
The defense gave up two long drives to start each half, surrendering a touchdown on both. But between that, the Trojans locked down the Cougars, especially in the second half, when they forced 6 straight three-and-outs or turnovers, including a gift from Wazzu P Darryl Blunt, who mishandled a snap which resulted in a field goal for USC. LB Keith Rivers was all over the field, getting 13 tackles. The D-line again dominated, and they held the Cougs to 64 yards on 27 rushes. The pass defense again was a little suspect, especially on the 50 yard bomb they gave up on the first drive, but more or less, they held strong all game long. DE Kyle Moore picked off another pass as teams look for the slant, they have to think twice and look to see if Moore has dropped back into zone coverage. And it was nice to see that Wazzu did not score garbage time touchdowns like Nebraska did last week. Special teams was solid, if not spectacular, but Joe McKnight looked great on his punt return.
And now for the game balls:
Offense - It was nice to see Booty open up (kinda) in the pass game, but the benefactor, TE Fred Davis, really broke out today with 9 receptions for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Defense - The front seven all played solid tonight, but WLB Keith Rivers was all over the field, collecting 14 tackles, including 9 solo and 2.5 for loss. He really is earning that #55 jersey he got as a freshman.
Special Teams - No real star here, but RB Allen Bradford had a couple of crushing hits on kickoff coverage. If his return would have stood, McKnight would get the ball here.
Some quick thoughts:
- Man, Louisville got stunned by Syracuse this week. Even though most knew the Cardinals' defense was suspect, Syracuse? Really? It seems like no team the Big East plays defense.
- Michigan has officially bounced back and could be a favorite to play in the Rose Bowl. I didn't see a lot of the game, but I felt that Penn State had a shot to win the Big Ten this year. But now, if Chad Henne is healthy in time for the Ohio State game, and Mike Hart hasn't broken down after carrying the ball 500 times in the next 7 games, they have a shot. The Big Ten looks really bad right now, as Wisconsin again struggled to put away a weaker opponent, though Ohio State finally got the fast start they needed against a hapless Northwestern team.
- Man, the ACC is screwed up. I think there are two teams at 3-0 in conference play, while there are other teams that haven't even played a conference game yet. Boston College and Clemson have to be the favorites right now, but nice comeback win by Wake Forest to shock Maryland.
- Pac-10 roundup, California outruns Arizona 45-27, Arizona State rallies from 19 down in the first quarter to defeat Oregon State 44-32, Oregon struggles in the first half against Stanford before pulling away 55-31, and UCLA won 44-31, but I am critical of the Bruins after they beat us last year, and well they've got quarterback issues. And allowing 21 fourth quarter points doesn't help their defense either.
Straight up: 20-4 (91-14/86.7% overall)
Against the spread: 9-12 (33-45-4 overall)
And my top 25 after week 4
- Louisiana State (4-0)
- Southern California (3-0)
- Oklahoma (4-0)
- Florida (4-0)
- West Virginia (4-0)
- Ohio State (4-0)
- California (4-0)
- Texas (4-0)
- Oregon (4-0)
- Rutgers (3-0)
- Boston College (4-0)
- Wisconsin (4-0)
- Clemson (4-0)
- Virginia Tech (3-1)
- Kentucky (4-0)
- Penn State (3-1)
- Hawaii (4-0)
- South Carolina (3-1)
- Missouri (4-0)
- South Florida (3-0)
- Georgia (3-1)
- Arizona State (4-0)
- Nebraska (3-1)
- Alabama (3-1)
- Cincinnati (4-0)
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