It doesn't get any more frustrating than SC's performance against Washington . . . actually it does . . . SC could have lost.
But it was just one of those days where everything that could go wrong seemingly did. Turnovers, penalties, bad execution, and questionable play-calling all played a part in this sub-par performance by the Trojans.
SC definitely brought its "D" game, especially offensively, to Seattle . . . so they'll be some tough love given out to some units of the team in this grade breakdown:
Offense:
QB - Well, JD Booty probably had the worst film session he's had since he's been at SC, the day after the game. The missed "reads", interceptions, and lack of proper touch on his throws were killers. He started off well, and then went downhill as the game progressed and finished completing only 54% of his passes with 2 INTs. Grade: D
RB/FB - Another very good performance. Both Stafon Johnson and Chauncey Washington finished with over 100 yards rushing. They broke tackles and got to the second level of the defense consistently. FB Stanley Havili had his first sub-par game, dropping a pass that would have been a TD. Grade: B +
WRs/TEs - The game started strong here. WR Patrick Turner is definitely hitting stride with 6 catches and a TD in the game. But 5 of those catches came in the first half. And any kind of downfield chemistry between Booty and the other WRs (Hazleton and Ausberry) is just elusive right now. TE Fred Davis was a terrific weapon once again. Grade: C minus
OLine - Another strong performance despite losing two key OLinemen (O'Dowd and Rachal) on the same play no less. They helped produce another 200 yard plus rushing game, and QB Booty was only sacked once, and that was on a naked bootleg. Grade: B +
Defense:
DLine - Good game. We said in our preview that SC's DLine had to keep contain on UW's QB and the DLine played their lanes well for the most part, and shut down UW's overall run game (only 100 yards). They only had one sack, but you aren't going to get a bunch vs. a guy like Locker, so give the DLine credit for having (3) tackles for loss in the game. Grade: B
LBs - Rey Maualuga had his best game with 10 tackles, and the unit as a whole held Locker down pretty well. In our preview we said to play QB Locker "like a running back", and the LBs did a nice job holding him to 50 yards on 2.8 per carry, when he was averaging 90 yards per game and over 6 yards per carry coming into the game. Thomas "Hit Man" Williams also had a nice INT on UW's first drive. Grade: B +
DBs - Despite not giving up anything (Locker was 13- 28 with an INT and only 90 yards passing) this unit had too many pass interference and late hit penalties that kept UW drives alive. Grade: C
Special Teams
Kickers - David Buehler was 2 for 3 on FGs and kicked the ball well on kickoffs. SC's punter had a punt blocked, though, after a high snap by Will Collins.
Returners/Coverage - The returners could have done more vs. a weak UW special teams unit. RoJo was a surprise kickoff return starter after Gable was scratched due to injury. He did okay, along with Desmond Reed on punts. The coverage units were solid, with Terrell Thomas making a huge play stripping the ball away and making the recovery on a UW punt return.
Grade: C minus
Coaching - Interesting deal here:
I thought the gameplan on offense and defense was good. The "in game" adjustments were bad, at least offensively. SC saw some opportunities downfield in the passing game, but when the players showed they couldn't execute thoe plays consistently, the offensive coaches should have gone back to the bread and butter Run Game which was working.
Defensively, the gameplan worked. UW's offense didn't get anything on SC's defense, that they weren't given by SC's offensive turnovers and a bad special teams play. But SC's defensive players were a little over-zealous in some cases, resulting in penalties. The defensive coaches may have pumped them up a little too much to get in good hits on the running QB, etc. Grade: C minus
Game balls:
* Offense - RB Stafon Johnson
* Defense - LB Rey Maualuga
* Special Teams - CB Terrell Thomas
Prediction Winner - B-Dub (Guessed the opponents scored correctly)
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