FOOTBALL

Morning Buzz: USC-Rutgers Report Card

QUARTERBACK

Miller Moss was solid and did not have any turnovers. But was this more the result of the quality of the opponent than anything Moss or the offense did?

Grade: B-

RUNNING BACK

Woody Marks had 20 touches in the game and USC ran only 43 plays. He’s the offensive MVP. People keep saying Quinten Joyner should get more carries and he rushed three times Saturday.

Grade: B+

WIDE RECEIVER

Introducing go-to receiver Makai Lemon! Following go-to receiver Zacariah Branch and go-to receiver Ja-Kobi Lane! Maybe Lemon will actually hold the role for the rest of the season. Point deductions for two false starts in a game with what, 30,000 fans?

Grade: B

OFFENSIVE LINE

Like Moss, this group tends to perform more based on the quality of the defense. The game cried out for some long drives to keep the USC defense off the field but this was probably the fault of the playcalling as much as what the line did.

Grade: B-

DEFENSIVE LINE

There’s been a lot of praise for sophomore Devan Thompkins, who had six tackles in his first extended role of the season. The question overall, however, is how this group allowed Rutgers to run 89 plays and more than 36 minutes of possession?

Grade: C+

LINEBACKER

Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Mason Cobb combined for 20 tackles but then again they were on the field for 89 plays. Points deduction for Cobb’s embarrassing behavior on the sideline.

Grade: C-

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Four the five defensive backs who started were new because of injuries. So maybe that explains how Athan Kaliakmanis passed for 313 yards. He now averages 206 yards a game this season. So USC helped his stats.

Grade: C

SPECIAL TEAMS

Big news as Zacariah Branch was removed from the kick return team and replaced with Makai Lemon. This is good for the team as Lemon had an 80-yard kick return. But what does it say about Lincoln Riley’s man-management skills that he has made Branch worse this season?

Grade: A-

COACHING

I’m going to write more about this later today but why is USC allowing overmatched Rutgers to run 89 plays? You would think the Trojans were playing Oklahoma under Barry Switzer. USC won comfortably but what if Rutgers were a little more skilled and actually scored from its three drives that totaled 36 plays? The Smug Genius once again showed his stubborness when it came to managing the game.

Grade: D+

15 thoughts on “Morning Buzz: USC-Rutgers Report Card”

  1. If Rutgers was playing an above average QB this game might have had a different outcome. This guy couldn’t run more than five yards without tripping over his own two feet, nor could he hit the broadside of a barn throwing the ball.

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  2. There was some other publication that graded that game and it gave at least one grade higher than Scott did, for example, Wiley got a ‘B’

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  3. — Washington is a rivalry game and challenging for SC when played in Seattle; it was the only time I felt physically intimidated by fans. SC is still a big game up there, and hopefully that will continue. Wiley said he has a rebuilding plan and his legacy is on the line

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  5. I really don’t believe the Cobb tackle was dirty. The running back was hit hard by Gavin Meyer and Cobb and the back of his head hit the turf. He probably experienced a concussion. Later, Cobb was grinning about the hit. Most football players take a level of satisfaction in hitting their opponents hard. It’s part of the sport. Did not see all that much wrong with the grin although I understand that Rutgers may not have appreciated it. BTW, that running back was really good. A tough player.

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    1. Plow,

      When I played and someone got injured, and depending on the injury, I would smile knowing that i did my job but I did it in the huddle and when I went back to the line of scrimmage, the smile was off my face. You smile privatley where no one can see you.

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    1. Cowardly Gabby is still obsessed with Scott Wolf after 20 years when her first handles were TrojanFan1 and Charlie Bucket the UCLA Fan.

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