Sunday’s Takeaway: Less Is Producing More
I think everyone anticipated Caleb Williams playing a cameo role during Saturday’s Trojan Huddle spring game. But I’m sure most thought he would at least play more than 1:10 of the game. By the time there was 13:50 left on the 1st half clock, USC led 24-7 and Williams was done for the day.
Following the game Riley said, “He’s[Caleb] played a lot of football. My job is to look at it and see what we can get the most out of today. I don’t know that play- ing two or three more series changes anything for Caleb in September, October or November.”
Riley got more than that. Riley had fun.
“Hey, fun day. A really, really fun and competitive day. I told the team that was a very fitting end to our spring because I would say that in a lot of ways, that’s kind of what our spring has looked like in terms of the kind of competition down to the wire. Most days have been like that. Looking back, some of the better teams that I’ve had the chance to be a part of, that’s what it was like the majority of the time. Every day was a battle.”
So while Williams was given fewer responsibilities on Saturday, the day still produced results. One of the results is Caleb can still make defenders look silly. This is okay because Williams is going to make 12 opposing defenses look silly come the fall.
Spring camp is when “players knock the hell out of each other.–Because competing in full pads when the NCAA rules allow is the only way a team can get better at playing football,” said Riley.
That’s why camp and the spring game itself in year 2 were able to produce so many more positive results despite some lingering flaws. The difference was Coach Riley and his staff had “less install, less teaching of everything from day one. Including how to practice.
Saturday provided opportunities for players like Miller Moss and Malachi Nelson to showcase their skills and development. Their production offered a glimpse into the future of when Caleb is making sideline cameo appearances like Jalen Hurts did at USC last week. Moss is more confident and less worried about his role in year 2.
Why Less Is More.
With less Austin Jones running the rock Saturday, there was more time to watch Darwin Barlow, MarShawn Lloyd, freshmen A’Marion Peterson and Quinten Joyner produce some eye-popping runs.
As productive as the offensive line was opening running lanes, once they get the chance to play together more, there will be fewer sacks given up.
The more Solomon Tuliuapupu continues his development at the defensive end spot, the need to find another in the transfer portal lessens.
The more Mason Cobb gets comfortable playing middle linebacker, the less nervous Trojan fans will be when Caleb leads a 3-play scoring drive.
The more Domani Jackson shows how physically and technically sound he is playing cornerback, the less he’ll worry about his surgically repaired knee.
The more times opposing quarterbacks challenge Jacobe Covington, the less it will happen.
The more Tacket Curtis plays as a freshman, the less time it will take him to clean up the flaws in his game.
The more Jamil Muhammad makes plays in the offensive backfield, the chance lessens that USC’s defense will stay on the field too long.
The more the team focuses on discipline, the penalty mistakes will lessen.
The more responsibilities Riley delegates to his staff, the less time he has to worry about making sure the team is practicing the right way.
Perhaps there will be more fans showing up in year 2, because there were nearly 8,000 less fans for the spring game in year 2 with so much more riding on the line in the fall.
Not only did USC show more during a short simulated spring football game, they also showed the fans have less to be worried about on the defensive side of the ball.
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