What a win! Talk about coming through in the clutch . . . on the road, hostile crowd, and playing in monsoon-like weather conditions - the Trojans got the job done.
CAL always plays SC tough and seized the momentum a few times in the game. But SC kept coming back, even after a few mistakes and missed opportunities, to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and keep the BCS dream alive.
Let's go to the grades:
Offense
QB - The numbers for J.D. Booty were pedestrian - 11 for 20, 129 yards and 1 TD pass - but he threw zero INTs in tough weather conditions - and that was key. He missed on a bomb to an open RoJo in the first half, but his 3rd down scramble and throw to PTurner for the game clinching first down on SC's last possession was clutch. Grade: B minus
RB/FB - Chauncey Washington had the game of a lifetime - 29 carries for 220 yards, 7.4 ypc. SC had to run the ball well, and C-Dub carried the team even after a big fumble at the goal line . Stafon Johnson also picked up a key first down in the second half, as well as scored the winning TD on a 3 yard scamper. SHavili caught a short TD pass, but also dropped a gimme (what else is new). Grade: A minus
WR/TE - A bit of a quiet night, as the weather conditions dictated the game. But TE FDavis and WR PTurner came through with big catches in the second half. Grade: C +
OLine - A good night for these guys. SC ran the ball down CAL's throat even when they knew it was coming. They also kept Booty from being sacked. OT Butch Lewis is doing a good job in place of AA Sam Baker. Grade: A minus
Defense:
DLine - Not a whole of stats from this group - they faced an excellent OLine from CAL and a really good RB in Justin Forsett (171 yards rushing on the night) whom they were unable to trap in the backfield. Sedrick Ellis and LoJack had 6 and 5 tackles, respectively. Grade: C
LBs - Tough tackling night for these guys. Forsett's bowling ball - like running and the rainy conditions on turf made it difficult to wrap up and get good footing. TWilliams, BCushing and BMatthews each had a TFL, though. Grade: C minus
DBs - Very good performance. They gave up one pass TD and started off shaky tackling-wise, but once again held the explosive WR unit for CAL in check. TMays had (3) pass break-ups, while KEllison had an INT. CB TThomas came up with a huge INT and sack. Grade: B
Special Teams:
Kicker/Returns - RoJo put together two good kickoff returns to give SC excellent field position, while DBuehler nailed a 28 yarder. Grade: B
Coaching: The offensive coaches stuck with the running game which was exactly what they needed to do with this team, and in that ugly weather. Defensively, the coaches were able to rattle CAL's QB a few times with timely blitzes. And then SC's guys just made a few plays to win it. Grade: B
Game Balls:
* Offense - RB Choo Choo Washington
* Defense - CB Terrell Thomas
* Special Teams - KOR Ronald Johnson
Prediction Winner - Payback (the dude is unstoppable right now!)
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