Now that's what I'm talkin' about! There's nothing better than going to someone's house and pounding all of the food and drink in sight . . . and then bailing.
That's exactly what the Trojans did on Thanksgiving night. SC's offense scored on nearly every possession in the first half, and the defense put hammer down on ASU's run game, and especially the QB. And so somewhere between the third helping of turkey and dessert, the game was over.
Let's go to the grades:
Offense:
QB - J.D. Booty played his best game of the year - (4) TDs and another one rushing with 375 yards in a dominant performance. And it wasn't just the completions, it was the smart decisions to throw the ball away when nothing was there that made the night a masterpiece. Once again, Booty was on the road and threw (0) INTs . . . that's how you win. Grade: A+
RBs/FB - Solid performance, especially in the second half when SC decided to burn clock. CWashington had about 80 yards, with McKnight and Johnson spelling him. McKnight was especially effective on 3rd down in the passing game. Havili not only didn't drop a pass, but he caught a TD and crucial 3rd down pass as well. Grade: B+
WRs/TE - What a difference catching the ball makes . . . no drops from the WR corp and big time yards after the catch. This game represented the most complete performance this unit has had all year. TE FDavis balled out once again with a sweet 4th and 2 TD run and catch that sent the ASU faithful to the exits. He finished with 5 receptions for 119 yards. Hazleton was big not only catching the ball, but blocking too. Turner, Ausberry and RoJo also contributed with timely receptions. Grade: A
OLine - Really good game for this unit. They played physical, and protected Booty in the passing game (only giving up one sack - Butch Lewis missed his man), while paving the way for a solid running game. Grade: B+
Defense
DLine - This group brought the pain. LoJack had (4) sacks, forced a fumble and set a Trojan record for TFLs with (5.5) for the game. Sedrick Ellis was so scary the referrees were throwing flags for nothing. And frosh EGriffen chipped in with (6) tackles and a sack. The DLine shut down ASU's run game completely - ASU's RBs ran for 51 yards on 24 carries (and most of that came during garbage time). Grade: A+
LBs - Good, solid game. Kaluka Maiava subbing for KRivers, played well and led the team in tackles with (10). Thomas Williams also chipped in with (6) tackles, and Rey Maualuga inflicted some pain ASU's players won't soon forget. Grade: B
DBs - This unit gave up some yards through the air, but that was because ASU needed to throw a lot. They broke up (3) passes, though, and didn't give up any deep plays for TDs. TThomas had the one bad play of the night with a PI when he could had an INT. Grade: B
Special Teams:
Kicking/Coverage - Great job by DBuehler with (3) made FGs and several touchbacks on kickoffs. A couple of bad plays, though, giving up a TD return on a kickoff and giving up a blocked punt. RoJo set SC up nicely with a kick return, and no mistakes on PRs. Grade: C
Coaching - SC's offensive staff crossed up ASU by coming out with the aerial attack early (ASU thought SC would run the ball early and often a la CAL). They got Booty in a rhythm, and even called a brilliant play to TE FDavis on a 4th and 2 play. Like we said in our review, ASU would run screen plays to the RBs and WR underneath routes - but SC kept all of that in front of them and brought pressure that rattled ASU's QB. Grade: A
Game Balls:
Offense - QB J.D. Booty
Defense - DE Lawrence Jackson
Special Teams - K David Buehler
Prediction Winner: B-Dub (breaks up Payback record prediction streak)
1 comment:
Good words.
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