From the Press Box: IMHO Sunday – We are what we are
In my humble opinion, cardinal and gold views on what I saw, what I heard, and what I thought from Los Angeles after No. 8 USC’s 48-41 Saturday morning unexpected survival win over the Colorado Buffaloes.
Nobody asked me, but…
Lincoln Riley’s big gamble of having his Trojans play at Colorado at 9 a.m. Pacific time in part to promote his program in front of a large national audience – specifically in the East – on FOX’s Big Noon Saturday turned out to be a resounding exposure of his 2023 Trojans alright. Great offense and more deficient defense to be kind. In other word, “what you see is what you get” or “we are what we are.”…
For their Saturday morning effort, the Trojans were rewarded in Sunday’s AP top 25 by dropping to No. 9 in the country behind Pac-12 rivals Washington (No. 7) and Oregon (No. 8) and no argument there at the present time…
Riley’s big television start time gamble (10 a.m. MT) was a matter of national perception. In the first half, the Trojans looked great for the most part, and they were being touted by FOX as national championship contenders. However, in the second half, all that was being projected was how Colorado has a great future and praise of its big – almost – comeback…
Look at this way, offensive recruits had to love what they were watching in regards to Lincoln Riley’s offense. HOWEVER, if you’re a defensive recruit, you could say to yourself the Trojans need more talent now, or you could easily have questions regarding the future of the USC defensive philosophy and accountability…
Think about it, the Trojans score 48 points heading into the fourth quarter at Colorado, and you’re still worried they don’t have enough points. Mama Mia! Do you feel they ever have enough points?…
No doubt about it, the Trojans’ defense has captured the imagination of the nation in an unflattering way, but it shouldn’t be ignored that in the fourth quarter against Colorado, USC’s prolific offense came up with exactly no points…
After the game, Lincoln Riley said he still has trust in his defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. It’s doubtful that most USC fans would agree at this point…
After the Colorado game, Lincoln Riley said he is still committed to his defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.
(Photo above by © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
It’s hard to imagine the Trojans’ defense having a sudden turnaround since we’re at the midway point in the season…
After the game, Trojans’ safety Bryson Shaw said the defensive issues were not coaching or schemes, but players making plays. Actually, it all starts with coaches recruiting players. Yep, the bottom line is you generally are what you recruit and then you have to coach’em up…
You can bet that Notre Dame, Oregon, and Washington offenses are probably licking their chops to have at it with this Trojans’ defense…
Obviously, the narrow win at Colorado will only embolden the national and local media to loudly proclaim Lincoln Riley is all offense and no defense…
True or not, there is the growing perception that Lincoln Riley is all offense and no defense.
(Photo above Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Correct me if I am wrong, but didn’t Lincoln Riley say he was going to spend more time this season with the defense?…
Offensively speaking, the USC offense was superior for three quarters against Colorado, and then was blanked in the final nail-biting fourth quarter. Obviously, the offense scored enough points (48) to win a majority of its games, but we’ve been down this road before (e.g. Tulane). Caleb Williams was spectacular, throwing for 403 yards (30 of 40) for six touchdowns and probably solidified his front runner position to secure his second Heisman Trophy. However, Williams threw a critical interception in the second half that helped ignite a Colorado comeback bid. The O-line was inconsistent, but then again the Trojans went away from their running game. BTW, no Zachariah Branch, who was held out for an undisclosed reason…
Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams threw for six touchdowns and 403 yards on Saturday at Colorado.
(Photo above by © John Leyba-USA TODAY Sports)
Defensively speaking, it was another schizophrenic performance by defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s players. They looked improved in the first half in their intensity and tackling in space for the most part, but in the second half they reverted to a pathetic regression to what they been the past two seasons – can’t tackle in space, can’t stop the rush, and weak secondary that gives up the big play. Colorado offense actually out-gained the vaunted Trojans offense 564-498. Enough said…
Trojans defenders Tyrone Taleni (#31) and Anthony Lucas (#6) close in on Colorado running back.
(Photo above by © John Leyba-USA TODAY Sports)
Special teams speaking, the good news is that placekicker Denis Lynch, a former walk-on, was given a scholarship this past week. The bad news is that he missed a critical 39-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter. The special teams, however, did preserve the victory late in the game when Michael Jackson lll recovered an onside kick to seal the tight victory…
So, as the Trojans return home to face the Arizona Wildcats (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12) for next Saturday’s USC Family Weekend game in the Coli before heading off to No. 10 Notre Dame in two weeks, which barely escaped their second loss in two weeks with a come from behind, late fourth quarter rally to win at Duke, 21-14…
For those that were concerned that inside linebacker Shane Lee and Raesjon Davis didn’t get in for one snap at ASU, on Saturday, Davis had two tackles while Lee participated but did not make a tackle…
So how many of you were still in your pajamas and hadn’t eaten breakfast when the Trojans and Colorado kicked off at 9 a.m. PT?…
If you were watching the game on FOX from the beginning, Caleb Williams was in two commercials, one in each half…
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Let’s go to the highlights…
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Trojans/ Colorado Quotebook
USC head coach Lincoln Riley and players post-game comments:
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders post-game comments:
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The post-game show…
(Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
Good morning temp: Temperature for Saturday’s early kickoff at Folsom Field was 67 degrees.
It’s a sellout: Despite the early morning kickoff, Folsom Field was sold out, and the announced attendance was 54,032.
Record broken: The USC/Colorado game at Folsom Field was the most media-credentialed game in CU history.
The series: USC concluded its series with CU in the foreseeable future, ending the series with the Colorado Buffaloes with a perfect 17-0 mark.
There are no games in the foreseeable future between USC and Colorado, as both move to new conferences in 2024.
(Photo above by © John Leyba-USA TODAY Sports)
Celebrity watch: Celebrities spotted at Folsom Field on Saturday to watch USC and Colorado included Jay Z, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, Terrell Owens, Kevin Garnett, and C.C. Sebathia.
Going bowling: Bowl representatives in attendance included the Peach Bowl.
Feeling a draft: There were over 17 NFL scout representatives in attendance on Saturday morning.
Chow down – not: The Colorado pregame media meal in the Folsom Field press box, considered the best in the Pac-12, was a major disappointment, as there was no pregame press box media meal. Instead, the media was handed a food voucher for concession for stands on the concourse level. A 7 a.m. food voucher at Folsom Field clearly didn’t go over well with the massive amount of media in attendance.
Nothing like a hot dog, pretzel, and a Dr. Pepper for a 7 a.m. breakfast in the Folsom Field Press Box.
Five Things: If you missed the “Five Things” post-game video commentary and analysis of Saturday morning’s USC victory over Colorado on YouTube with McKinney, Katz, and Kulkin, here’s what you missed below:
Inside the Trojans’ Huddle: A reminder: this Tuesday, WeAreSC panelists Marc Kulkin, Chris Arledge, Erik McKinney, and your humble columnist review Saturday’s Colorado game, preview the Arizona game, play a new Big Ten Lightning Round, prediction this upcoming week’s Pac-12 and selected Top 25 games, and, of course, viewers’ questions and panel answers.
Happy Halloween: Per their tradition, the Los Angeles Dodgers had their annual costume day in which players dress up in costumes. A group of players and coaches decided to dress up as the Trojans and Colorado coaching staffs in honor of Saturday’s game. Playing the role of Lincoln Riley (red USC shirt) was pitching coach Mark Pryor, who is a former USC baseball standout.
The Dodgers in costume as the USC and Colorado football coaching staffs.
(Photo above courtesy of the Los Angeles Dodgers)
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The Stat Sheet…
Tackling the issues: Against Colorado, inside linebacker Mason Cobb led the Trojans with 13 tackles, 11 of those unassisted.
USC linebacker Mason Cobb (#13) led the Trojans in tackles against Colorado on Saturday.
(Photo above by John Leyba – USC TODAY Sports)
Downward trend: Against Colorado, the Trojans scored 48 points. The Trojans were averaging 55.0 points per game.
Upward trend: Against Colorado, the Trojans allowed 41 points. The Trojans’ defense was allowing 20.0 points per game.
Downward trend: Against Colorado, the Trojans had 498 yards in total offense. The Trojans were averaging 569.3 yards per game.
Upward trend: Against Colorado, the Trojans’ allowed 564 total yards in total offense. The Trojans were allowing 364.5 total yards per game.
Downward trend: Against Colorado, the Trojans had 95 net yards rushing. The Trojans were averaging 192.0 rushing yards per game.
Upward trend: Against Colorado, the Trojans allowed 193 yards rushing. The Trojans were allowing 136.5 rushing yards per game.
Upward trend: Against Colorado, the Trojans had 403 yards passing yards. The Trojans were averaging 377.25 passing yards per game.
Upward trend: Against Colorado, the Trojans allowed 371 passing yards. The Trojans’ defense was allowing 228.0 passing yards per game.
Upward trend: The Trojans had the ball 27:55 minutes, while Colorado, had the ball for 32:05 minutes. The Trojans were averaging 27.21 minutes in time of possession while the opponents were averaging 32.39 minutes.
Downward trend: Against Colorado, the Trojans had six penalties for 53 yards while Colorado had seven penalties for 60 yards. The Trojans were averaging 75.5 penalty yards per game as opposed to their opponents, who were averaging 34.0 yards per game against the Trojans.
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The Scoreboard Show…
(photo by WeAreSC/USC Athletics)
Friday – Sept. 29
At No. 19 Oregon State 21 (4-1, 1-1 P12), No. 10 Utah 7 (4-1, 1-1 P12)
No Rising, no Utes offense, Oregon State’s defense stifles Utah.
UTAH 0 0 0 7 7
OSU 7 0 7 7 21
Saturday – Sept. 30
At CAL 24 (3-2, 1-1 P12), ASU 21 (1-4, 0-2 P12)
Cal running back Jaydn Ott leads the way with 165 yards rushing and one touchdown.
ASU 7 0 6 8 21
CAL 7 3 7 7 24
No. 9 Oregon 42 (5-0, 2-0 P12) at Stanford 6 (1-4, 0-3 Pac-12)
Bo Nix threw touchdown passes on the first four drives of the second half and No. 9 Oregon shook off a shaky start by scoring TDs on six of seven possessions.
ORE 0 14 21 7 42
STA 3 3 0 0 6
No. 7 Washington 31 (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) at Arizona 24 (3-2, 1-1 P12)
UW Heisman quarterback candidate Michael Penix Jr. does not throw a touchdown pass while Arizona starts inexperienced redshirt freshman QB Noah Fifita but the Huskies hold on in the end.
UW 14 7 7 3 31
UA 0 10 7 7 24
No. 8 USC 48 (5-0, 3-0 P12) at Colorado 41 (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12)
Trojans were offensively prolific under Caleb Williams for three quarters but were again exposed on defense in the second half.
USC 14 20 14 0 48
COL 0 14 13 14 41
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Pac-12 Standings (new AP rankings) Conference/Overall
USC Trojans (No. 9)3-0/5-0Oregon Ducks (No. 8)2-0/5-0Washington Huskies (No. 7)2-0/5-0Washington State Cougars (No. 13)1-0/4-0Arizona Wildcats1-1/3-2Oregon State Beavers (No. 15)1-1/4-1Utah Utes (No. 18)1-1/4-1Cal Bears1-1/3-2UCLA Bruins0-1/3-1Colorado Buffaloes0-2/3-2Arizona State Sun Devils0-2/1-4Stanford Cardinal0-3/1-4
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The last word…
(Photo above by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Bring on the Wildcats!!!
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