Well, it wasn't a masterpiece, but it was a win. The Trojan defense dominated, and the offense sputtered, but the result as satisfactory. ASU never really had a chance, even though USC took awhile to apply the death blow.
The grades:
Offense
QB - Mark Sanchez would probably like to forget this one. 13 for 26, for 179 yards, with (3) INTs and only (1) TD threw the air marked his worst performance to date stats-wise. The gimpy knee may have been a factor in some of his throws, and one of the picks wasn't Sanchez's fault. But nonetheless . . . burn the tape.
Grade: D
RBs/FB - Joe McKnight ran for 143 yards with a 13 yard per carry average. It was a few big runs that carried the day for him, while CJ Gable and Stafon Johnson chipped in with 50 yards combined. Fullback Stan Havili is still nursing a sore neck so he wasn't involved much at all. Grade: B
WRs/TE - The first game that the WR unit has looked human. Both Damian Williams and Ronald Johnson dropped catchable balls (one that turned into an INT), and only Williams scored a TD. TEs Blake Ayles and Anthony McCoy corraled (3) passes, a couple for first downs. Grade: C minus
OLine - Spotty day for this group. They led the way for 210 yards rushing, but short yard plays are a problem up the middle and there was very little consistency although ASU really stacked the line of scrimmage sometimes. There were also two sacks against Sanchez in this game. Grade: C
Defense
DLine - This group played strong at the point of attack. ASU only got 75 yards rushing, and didn't allow the Sun Devil QBs a lot of time to do anything. Senior DEs Clay Matthews and Kyle Moore, plus DT Fili Moala have really stepped up their game accounting for (10) tackles, and 1 1/2 sacks. Grade: A minus
LBs - Another solid game from this group. Everyone is banged up, but still playing well against the run and pass. Maualuga and Cushing accounted for (15) tackles, and Mike Morgan added (5) more as he is playing well. OLB Jordan Campbell played a lot in this game as Kaluka Maiava sprained an ankle. Grade: B
DBs - Outstanding game for this group. Safety Kevin Ellison has been magnificent in run support, and equally as good in pass coverage. He had (7) tackles, including (1) TFL and (2) pass breakups. CBs Kevin Thomas got a pick six, Cary Harris forced a fumble and intercepted a pass, and even true frosh TJ Bryant got into the act with his first career INT. The ASU QBs completed less than 45% of their passes for a paltry 154 yards. Grade: A
Special Teams
Gotta give it up to DT Fili Moala who blocked two FG attempts to preserve the shut out. He received Pac 10 special teams player of the week for his efforts. Otherwise it was a quiet day for the return and coverage teams. Grade: B
Coaching
Offensively, the coaches can't be happy with the execution in the game. Dropped passes nullified some good plays, and SC was missing is secret weapon in fullback Stan Havili. They have to find a way to get better in short yardage situations in the running game to keep the chains moving and demoralize the opponent. On the opposite end, the defensive coaches could not have been happier. The offense put them in some bad situations, but they didn't give up an inch. One memorable defensive play call was a cornerback blitz on 3rd down that knocked ASU out of FG range - gutsy, aggressive call. Penalties, however, continue to haunt this squad. Maybe making defenders who commit personal fouls crawl the length of the field during games will help . . . maybe? Grade: B minus
Game Balls:
Offense: RB Joe McKnight
Defense: Safety Kevin Ellison
Special Teams: DT Fili Moala
Prediction Winner: Payback . . . although nobody was close.
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