FOOTBALL

Discuss The USC-Stanford Game

Kedon Slovis has a great debut. So Clay Helton has now picked the wrong starting QB twice (Max Browne, JT Daniels).

That’s the main takeaway. Someone will complain that I thought Jack Sears should start ot be the backup. But what did Helton do? He didn’t see Slovis as the starter in Week 1.

What would happen if Daniels was hurt for only a week? Helton would have benched Slovis, that’s what.

91 thoughts on “Discuss The USC-Stanford Game”

  1. (1) Harrell (and Kurt Warner) were right about Slovis. But if it wasn’t for Daniels’ horrible injury, Slovis would still be on the bench
    (2) Harrell and Slovis made it look easy, but Stanford gave up midway through second quarter.
    (3) It is a crime that Markese Stepp is not playing quality minutes. He is a freight train.
    (4) Team discipline still needs a lot of improvement
    (5) Helton is truly the cat with 9 lives. Saved by Harrell and Slovis.
    (6) And ucla is now in the conversation for worst Div 1 team. Way to go, Chipper!

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      1. Pudly–
        We have to give the devil his due —Helton may actually turn this team (and his career) around….. [even if it’s partially due to the miracle of Slovis becoming the starter over Helton’s first choice]……

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      4. Tim, frost your cake any way you like. Stanfurd ran the ball up the middle with their qb under center and couldn’t do sh!t. After the middle of the second quarter. 42 unanswered points.

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    3. Harrell doesn’t get credit for Slovis. Neither does Helton. He’s 100% a product of no one still on staff – “Trojans assistant director of player personnel Alex Collins had told Ellis about him. Collins, who was in his last week at USC before leaving for Nevada (he’s now at Florida Atlantic), had watched Slovis’ highlights and noted his ability to make throws in the pocket and on the run, in addition to his exceptional poise.
      But at this point in time, “He was not even on my radar, to be honest with you,” said Ellis, who is now Western Kentucky’s offensive coordinator. With that free time on his hands, Ellis sent a text to Eric Ziskin, the Trojans’ former recruiting director, sharing his location and asking for Ziskin to find two or three schools nearby he could visit in the meantime.

      “(Ziskin) said, ‘Well, you’re about a mile from Desert Mountain High School,’” Ellis recalled…”

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    4. Mater Dei might be favored against UCLA right now. Even though I hate when SC loses to them,I’d prefer that the Bruins be at least respectable.

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      1. Respectable? We shouldn’t hold our breath on that one, Arturo. When teams go into a slide, they need someone to re-energize them. The bruins have….Chip.

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      1. Huge turnaround in defense. The TV video showed a stat at some point in the 4th comparing rushing yardage, which was 102 in the first half, and only 4 yards in the second half. The Stanford QB definitely lost confidence after halftime.

        Linebackers REALLY turned it around in second half.

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    8. It’s not a crime he’s not playing, it’s a crime he was recruited for an offense we don’t run anymore. It’s not that he won’t be used, it’s that there are 2 better options in this offense in front of him.

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      3. Stanford wasn’t the same team after halfway through the second. But that in part is due to SC’s play. We did to Stanford what ‘Bama did to us in ’16.

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      1. All of a sudden I’m not dreading facing Alabama in our 2020 opener….
        Sure, we have a long ways to go —-but at least we’re playing FOOTBALL again.

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      2. All Helton has to do is win. This is the team he recruited, if I was a coach I’d be hair on fire to play the next game. This is the team he chose, do they fight for him? Well last year they might’ve lost both these first two.

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  4. Do we have another Darnold on our hands to delay Helton’s inevitable firing by five more years? The three years that Slovis plays at ‘SC, and the two more years after he’s gone that it will take for everybody to see that he can’t win without a transcendent QB.

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      1. What, a role do you play in the program? The “we” you used earlier implies being a member of said program. Like if they pay you to suck on the urinal cakes until they’re no longer blue that’s cool. I can respect. Not my thing, but if that’s how you’re associated with the program I’ll respect your opinion.

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    3. Helton should be evaluated not on the current and sudden turnaround resulting from a new offense coach that was foisted on Helton, nor even by winning a Rose Bowl in 2016, but by how he performed otherwise: 1) hiring assistant coaches based on nepotism and cronyism that had to be fired; 2) his ineptness driving top local players to go to other schools (Bru McCoy to Texas until Graham Harrell hired; Justin Flowe (Clemson), Chris Steele (Florida); Kendall Milton to Alabama or Georgia, etc.); 3) inability to make half time adjustments in games, manage clock and time outs; 4) his 5-7 record last year with players demoralized by Helton sticking with JTD at QB; 5) his picking Max Browne over Darnold; 6) favoring JTD over Slovis. Helton has squandered all the social capital and historical legacy of USC and a new coach should be brought in if SC is serious about national prominence.

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    4. If Mills was playing for USC last night, USC still would’ve won. If Slovis was playing for Stanford last night, Stanford still would’ve lost.

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  5. I will concede that penalties are way down these first two games compared to our preposterously undisciplined play last season. And Helton made that a point of emphasis. I also see clear improvement in the OL.

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    3. pass blocking definitely better. Fingers crossed that they can generate more of a surge for the rushing game (to the extent that the rushing game exists).

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  6. I’m thinking of the movie “Remember the Titans” when Rev gets hurt, but Sunshine leads the team to a great win, “ We have ourselves a football player.” Nah nah nah nah, Nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey goodnight.

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  7. Flow. Someone should complain that you can barely type English. “Someone will complain that I thought Jack Sears should start OT be the backup.” Classic. Hey, how did your Tree pick work out? Oh wait, I already know. You numb-nuts. “Helton fanatics!” Get the fuck outa here!

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  8. About time Trojans put an ass whooping on a ranked team. Felt like old times again. Time for the cougs to get one put on them next week. Helton needs to play all of his talented players. I like the rotations at WR. Lets get a 3 headed monster going with Stepp in the 4th quarter at RB. The Trojans will be tough to beat when every one is playing in rhythm. Fight on!

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      1. Stepp looked like a man among boys.

        I really hope he gets some quality minutes. He is a load, and a nice complement to VM and Carr.

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      2. 67, I think they have to work Stepp in: Are his pass catching skills up to par? does he pick up blitzes well enough? will him being in tip the defense that it is a run play? His running ability is there. Is he a complete back?

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      3. Nice change of pace, huh? His time is coming, and remember we just brought in the fastest football player in CA history to compliment him. Can’t wait to see Christon catch a wheel route!!

        Hahahahaha

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      4. Arturo, all good points. Pudly indicated that Stepp still needs to work on pass catching, and the first two games really showcase that the play mix is going to be something like 2/1 passing. I haven’t heard about any other potential deficiencies.

        If you go back to watch video of LenDale, I think you will see some similarities with Stepp in terms of power and speed.

        The good news is that the Trojans have 3 REALLY good RBs.

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  9. Well, this proves that teams get better in games, not practice, if for no other reason that games are played at a different speed and tackling is aggressive. You have to put players into games to find out about them. And teams find out who they are in games, usually in a game like tonight where they prove to themselves they can come back after being behind in the score. Slovis already looks way better than JTD mostly because he steps up in the pocket and JTD back peddles and is too timid. Best start by a new QB since Carson Palmer.

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  10. People. Realize that the real trolls like Buddha, PJM, and the other morons don’t comment when USC wins. That’s because they are true ucra trolls. Scroll up and down. No comments. Classic. Keep sucking Flow’s sack, trolls.

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  11. Very nice game! Our lines out-hustled and out hit the Farm….I love that! I was taking some pictures a couple of hours or so before the game, but I had to ask his name to make sure because he didn’t have his jersey on yet….I was inquiring around a little, and then I looked up, and there he was, Chris Steele…he was very polite and cordial about it….thank you, good job tonight…I like our secondary. Steele and Griff and ITS, and all, really caught my attention ..Hey! Greg Johnson, way to get the drop on 6’7” Parkinson..big time hustle and awareness! We looked much better at everything tonight! Both lines are very fun to watch….the d line havocs people! The safeties are on the same page, communication seems to be flowing on a consistent basis…and, they get to the ball….the offensive line is working well…I’m a big fan of Brett Neilon and I saw #70 picking up Vaughns and giving him a quick word of encouragement coming off the field early…Good looking out! I thought our coaches performed much better than Stanford’s staff tonight……nice! Thank you! …Tufele made some great tackles at or just behind scrimmage and Drake continues to look like a veteran, constantly bothering plays in many ways: tips, pressures movement…he’s a tireless worker to go along with his skill….very smart! The whole line is developing it seems…I’m glad the Trojans have a road challenge coming so we can see further verification…Kedon looked good…he got stronger as the game progressed…he did throw some ropes, especially in the second half…keep it going anywhere near that, and the rest can do the job….it’ll be interesting to see how far this team can develop and maintain in the next 4 weeks….I’d love to go into Provo to watch….but, maybe a loud Trojan fan might catch some slack lol…heck, they might surround me if we keep running the ball like that….great job….punished the Stanford’s tonight…didn’t see too many of those btw…Fresno St. was much more visible…

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  12. Great win but let’s keep our sanity for a few weeks before we start counting Rose Bowls with Slovis. If Slovis really is as good as he looked, then why did Gomer blow yet another personnel decision? I wouldn’t drink the kool-aid until week 6

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  13. I love whupping the farm…it was truly fun to watch this game. Slovis goes thru his progressions well (unlike another QB I could name), and our receivers simply break down man and soft zone coverage (tons of talent that we are finally using). But make no mistake, our D won this game in the second half (albeit over a (true) 2nd string QB). We will learn a lot more about what we are made of – and I would really like to see us get Stepp more involved out there as well, especially when cover packages give us less than 7 in the box. We could be truly devastating… just need swagger and consistency…

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  14. JUST LIKE when Sam got the job ,and should have started all along…so to, 3 more able q/b’s were placed behind helltons favorite another bad choice…one dumbass, AD swannie put in charge.
    Any of the 3 were better for SC , they can get out of the way of a rush the SC ‘O’ line has not been able to slow, although the new line coach Drevno has caused them to improve, the rushing attack was just enough, avg 4/carry.
    I am glad he got his chance,hope jt recovers,and enjoys life.
    Now SC,with a decent mobile q/b may have that good yr ,in spite of hellton…looking fwrd to ND and ucla and reclaiming victory bell…ucla is pathetic again…

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      1. Disagree. If Slovis plays like he did last night, sc wins those games. Washington lost to cal. Utah is here. Nd will improve but Slovis is the better qb

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      3. you sound pretty sure of that…
        a q/b makes a big difference ,like a pitcher in baseball…
        remember Stanford needed their q/b, and SC needed other than ‘jt’ last yr and this yr, and now they have…and stanford – one and SC + one at Q/B…was the game…
        Utah started slow and gathered themselves…they seemed over rated to me but a good solid team…who knows what happened to Washington? I am sure coaches are pissed meanwhile ND and Oregon will be more than tough games…but with the right q/b instead of the wrong one and Drevno coaching the line…SC is at least very competitive…the defense could be improving as well…I don’t think hellton can ruin too much at this point unless he declares all further practices will be no pads,etc…then all will be lost.

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  15. Thought the D was more aggressive in it’s approach last night. More guys up and around the LOS.
    Tackling got better as the game went on. Still a couple of breakdowns in the secondary, but you can see it has talent.

    Special teams were fine.

    Offensively what can you say. Pretty much a perfect game.

    How nice is it to have a Freshman qb not have to deal with Crappy snaps???

    I think he’s already a better decision maker than JT. And his ball comes out harder and more accurately as well.

    Legit Question Will ucla win a game this year???

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    1. I think Brett Neilon can be an all-pro one day…he’s certainly got his body right….it’s tough to gain weight like he has, and not miss a beat…..he’s obviously very adaptable and smart…..

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      1. The Coliseum runs a bit on the scoreboard of Brett teaching a new language/vocabulary to his teammates……kinda humorous and informative…

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    2. according to owns, ucla beats OK 24-17 next week.

      owns really needs to lay off the peyote buttons.

      Realistically, ucla might win only one, which is against Ore St, played in Pasadena. Paid attendance will be less than 20,000.

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  16. Great feeling to see Trojans kicking ass and coming back for more. I could not see the defensive adjustment, but I sure saw the massive increase in passion in the players on defense. To say Slovis is everything we didn’t have at qb is not enough. What a joy to watch, and I actually got excited about a game for a change.

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  17. Slovis appears to be the real deal; and yes, he shares similarities with Sam Darnold. But excitement should be tempered by the fact that Stanford was without Costello. Mills was very unimpressive, which made Pendergast’s job much much easier because the trees could neither pass nor had much of a running game.

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  18. For once Wolfe’s out of words to describe Helton and the team he follows. Now he just sits back waiting to pounce on any mistake to try and keep narrative hes created in check. I do think the Mater Dei QB train ends with Slovis.

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  19. I have not problem discussing Helton. He has to go. Sooner rather than later GH will be moving on. He is too good. I would not be surprised to see him on Kingsbury staff next year. Then we’re back where we started. We need a real leader running the “franchise” as much as we needed a leader at QB and an offense with a discernible identity.

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    1. Depressing, but potentially very prescient comment.

      Last night’s game was so much fun to watch. I have a feeling this season could be like ’16. But tough schedule ahead.

      I would love to see an inspired performance against the domers in South Bend.

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      1. If Slovis plays the way he did last night, he should lead wins against Washington, who lost to Cal and Nd. Slovis will not be phased by distraction. He concentrates on where the ball and team are going

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  21. So funny to watch all the haters desperately cling to their bullshit. Basically everything this hairy troll of a blogger has posted over the past 8 months was proven wrong in last night’s performance. Now you want to attack him for not making Slovis the starter immediately? What a joke. Take a look at JT’s stats before he got hurt last week. Sure it’s fun to point out his weaknesses, but the kid can play quarterback. Same goes for you armchair QBs acting like Helton should have know to start Darnold over Max Browne. Browne was a massive talent and everyone expected big things from him. When the coach (quickly) realized it wasn’t working out, he did what a good coach does and adjusts.

    Hating is fine and the Trojans program has given us all plenty to hate. But give credit to a great team and great coaching effort. Remember a week and a half ago when the blogger troll was claiming Slovis was only named back-up as a political ploy to save Helton from Jack Sears embarrassment? Now all of a sudden the blogger acts like everyone should have known Slovis is the second coming. Wolf and the rest of the haters in here are a joke. It’s all too easy with 20/20 hindsight vision. #fighton #fuckoffmiserabletrolls

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  22. So funny to watch all the haters desperately cling to their bullshit story lines. Basically everything this hairy troll of a blogger has posted over the past 8 months was proven wrong in last night’s performance. Now you want to attack him for not making Slovis the starter immediately? What a joke. Take a look at JT’s stats before he got hurt last week. Sure it’s fun to point out his weaknesses, but the kid can play quarterback. Same goes for you armchair QBs acting like Helton should have know to start Darnold over Max Browne. Browne was a massive talent and everyone expected big things from him. When the coach (quickly) realized it wasn’t working out, he did what a good coach does and adjusts.

    Hating is fine and the Trojans program has given us all plenty to hate. But give credit to a great team and great coaching effort. Remember a week and a half ago when the blogger troll was claiming Slovis was only named back-up as a political ploy to save Helton from Jack Sears embarrassment? Now all of a sudden the blogger acts like everyone should have known Slovis is the second coming. Wolf and the rest of the haters in here are a joke. It’s all too easy with 20/20 hindsight vision. #fighton #fuckoffmiserabletrolls

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    1. I am guessing there is a story about this somewhere today, but has there been a better frosh debut than slovis last night?

      Slovis showed command of Harrell’s offense. Interesting that Kurt Warner, Slovis’s high school coach, talked about how hard Slovis works on learning schemes. He really seemed to be very comfortable in the offense, and it seemed to have an affect on the O-line.

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  24. Qb competition is over. Daniels will back up Slovis. Will Daniels hit the transfer portal with Bryce Young coming? Slovis is mobile while Daniels is not. Slovis reads and gets rid of the ball. Daniels stands there not knowing what to do with the ball. That is the difference.

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      1. I’m still around 22, but I’m mighty shocked by the nano-second about-face of all the rah-rah, sunshine pimping, Helton haters. IMHO opinion, SUCCXster Helton haters have changed their Helton SUCCX tune faster than attorneys and politicians do for upfront cash.

        BTW 22, if I jump, it will be off the San Clemente pier. I prefer cool, clear waters.

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