FOOTBALL

USC Morning Buzz: Where Was The Air Raid vs. Utah?

USC installed its Air Raid offense with four plays and quick passes and fast tempo before the season.

But when the Trojans beat Utah on Friday night, it did it with Matt Fink throwing long, jump-ball passes against a shaky Utes secondary.

Last year, when USC defeated Washington State, also on a Friday night at the Coliseum, it did it with JT Daniels throwing long jump-ball TD passes against a shaky secondary.

Fink completed 21 of 30 passes for 351 yards and 3 TDs. Daniels completed 17 of 26 passes for 241 yards and 3 TDs.

It’s great to see the offense has changed so much in 12 months. What a difference a year doesn’t make.

And I’m willing to bet the tempo wasn’t much different between the two games despite all the phony analysis about how the Air Raid would make USC so revolutionary.

You know what is different? The offensive coordinator is getting a free pass this year. But for how long?

  • It’s worth mentioning as USC has walk-on Brandon Perdue and wide receiver Tyler Vaughns backing up Matt Fink on Saturday, it didn’t have to be this way.

If Clay Helton had handled the situation more tactfully, Jack Sears would not have left the team. Helton sent a message to Fink and Sears that they had no futures at USC.

But all is forgiven now as Helton relies on Fink to save his job. He probably loves Fink like a son. At least until Slovis gets cleared from his concussion.

36 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: Where Was The Air Raid vs. Utah?”

  1. The Huskies lost 9 starters on defense, yet had a +29 point differential over common opponent, BYU, in BYU…….Washington beat BYU by 26, USC lost to BYU by 3….the line, -10….

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  3. wolf is right about this. (euuuuughhhh … can’t believe i just typed that.) this offense struggling score four touchdowns against THIS schedule indicates that it isn’t nearly prolific enough to hang with a top-five team. they appear to have given up on the concept of a power running game. and what does that treat us to? more exposure of that ever-flailing clancy pendergast defense. 😞

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      1. i know, i know … there are innumerable ways to make one’s self miserable as a college football fan, GoTroy. but, i have to draw the line at seasons like 2017. where sc scrapes past the ‘meh’ teams on their schedule, and gets pulverized by the more physical bluebloods (notre dame, ohio state, and nearly texas). and, i hope to never speak of a season the likes of 2018 ever again.

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      3. I do not know, if 3-4 losses BYU ND Wash/Oregon occur ;I know the defense will be stressed to the limit…the offense is a work in progress, but with a running q/b has a chance…and he got off to a late start being slammed like Jack by hellton/harrel duo.

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  4. Isn’t somewhat ironic that Mr. Lowbendown, Mr. JTD, Mr Sears, Mr. Slovis or Mr. Fink have never been heard to say:

    #ILoveClayHeltonLikeADad
    #OhBryceYoungToo

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  5. If you can’t build a top 10 team at USC after four years, then it’s time to go. Bozo Helton if anything, has taken the program backwards. The Trojans were ranked 43rd in the nation going into the season, and if it weren’t for the weak opponents, they’d probably be winless.

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  6. Yep! AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY, He, (Helton) clearly has a POOR PATTERN of TALENT MISMANAGEMENT ESPECIALLY at QB (But also at other positions). JACK SEARS CAN BALL, Period. (RUNS WAAAY BETTER & EXTENDS PLAYS WAAAAAY BETTER) than Daniels ever could, (SEE Arizona St. Game), or heck, practically ANY USC Practice when RUSH PRESSURE is actually allowed on QB’s… just ask Herm Edwards (head Coach at Arizona St) who KNOWS a thing or two about Football. He’s also ACCURATE with the football… and has BEEN IN THE PROGRAM for a while! And earlier has said he WOULD COME BACK IF NEEDED!!! (OR ASKED). WHY WOULD a good and PRUDENT “head coach” NOT WANT or USE THAT??? Or EVEN NOW, swallow petty PRIDE, or INCOMPETENCE) and simply ASK THE KID, (SEARS) TO COME BACK??? Unless he’s NOT A GOOD & PRUDENT head coach! Helton CONTINUES to shoot for the LOWEST bar and MISMANAGE MANY OF OUR TALENTED PLAYERS! (And his PERSONNEL in GENERAL). His overall TEAM PRACTICE (Preparation and player readiness) has ALSO been wanting, (just look at USC’s AWAY game results) under his watch. USC’s FOOTBALL SHOULD BE in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HUNT ANNUALLY! NO EXCUSES!!’ HOW are we EVER gonna accomplish this with a “I gotta watch the tape” after obvious poor performances or “I just love these guys” person at such a CRITICAL POSITION??? It’s ASTOUNDING, REPEATEDLY WATCHING THIS and MORE ASTOUNDING HOW he could be head coach at USC… WE REAL FANS AND SUPPORTERS OF USC FOOTBALL DESERVE MUCH BETTER HERE!!!

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  8. What is so cool about SC vs Washington is that Tyler Vaughns who plays for USC played baseball with Myles Bryant, the safety and captain for Washington in little league. Also, Bryant went to my high school. SCooter, get on your job dude.

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    2. Myles Bryant and his dad are good people. Bryant can play. He is athletic and is smart. I know this because you have to be to go to my high school which is Loyola in L.A.

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  9. PT,
    You sir are entitled to a full refund for fees paid to this site. AND THERE’S MORE: You will be given free access for the next year AT NO COST. Please enjoy.

    #SincerelyTheWolfman

    Liked by 3 people

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      1. “But first, Washington’s 6-foot-5, 262-pound sophomore outside linebacker was ejected for targeting for an arguably high hit on BYU quarterback Zach Wilson.”

        So he’ll be missing the first half. Does it matter?

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Hey CAL 75,

      When you become pope, I am your pope mobile driver. I gave you my qualifications on another blog. I have driven over 1.75 million miles, practicing Catholic, 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, and drive the employee van from Pasadena to LAX everyday. Been driving since 16, being in sales and a real estate appraiser will take you all over the place. I’m your man. When do I start?

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      1. PT,
        I sold commercial RE for an NYSE firm for 15yrs. I could have used a RE appraiser that was in my court. 😀If you know what I mean…..

        #AndIKnowYouDoSir
        #Don’t NeedADriver,TheBelchfire8DrivesItself-ThanksThough
        #PleasePrayDaBearsDon’tSelfDestructThisWeekend

        Liked by 2 people

  11. Liked by 3 people

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      1. gt —That’s it! The bruins and washington state cougars like to lose at home to punish their fans for low attendance…
        #GetTheBannersPrinted:”PlayersForJustice”…..

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Those numbers are very telling, particularly now that there are so many giveaways and the paid attendance is perhaps much less.

      Pac-12 football just not drawing fans like it used to. Back in the day, ASU would have 40,000 attending just from the undergrads.

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