FOOTBALL

USC-Rutgers Live Blog

Rutgers has 460 yards offense. Gary Patterson should be ashamed.

This is why you cannot take seriously all the unending hype on social media with USC. The same issues pop up every year and have not been solved despite all the PR.

They fumbled the snap trying to run out the clock. OMG.

The dreaded completion before the first-down marker on fourth down

Rutgers is 6 for 8 on third-and-fourth down today. I thought the USC d-line was supposed to dominate.

Can’t stop the run. Can’t stop the pass. That’s the USC defense in a nutshell.

USC lucks out with a horrible pass in the end zone that turns into a 99-yard pick six.

In all seriousness, how can USC fans tolerate this year after year? I know it’s coming, but still.

That was an embarrassing half of football for the USC Trojans. But I’ve written extensively how Maiva throws up clunkers every season while everyone else anoints him a Heisman front runner.

Does Jayden Maiva look like a Heisman frontrunner today?

The secondary cannot cover anyone even on average passing teams.

Mike Ekeler, the special teams savant.

USC defense not stopping Rutgers in short-yardage situations.

Have no fear, Rutgers is awful.

Do you notice how open the Rutgers receivers are?

The much-hyped USC defense can’t stop Rutgers and the Scarlet Knights score a TD.

Fortunately for USC, Rutgers is Rutgers.

Maiava missed another short pass, this time to Williams.

A flea-flicker from the 17-yard line? And a time out to avoid another penalty.

Maiva misses some passes he has no business missing, like the pass to Bowman.

Here’s a factoid: The USC alumni bus from Manhattan to Rutgers needed 20 fans to break even. Well, 39 paid for the trip and 35 showed up so it made money.

119 thoughts on “USC-Rutgers Live Blog”

  4. can we please fire this guy….this is an absolute embarrassment….year after year….game after game….5 or 6 losses minimum. I really can’t see how this level of poor play and coaching can continue. All talk and never any actual consistency on the field.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  5. This is NOT a good football team. It is NOT a well coached football team. Maiva is NOT a good QB, King is slower than a sloth running uphill.

    The next 6 weeks could be very ugly. If it goes sideways quickly, will SC have the stones to eat the contract and hire someone who can actually coach ?

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. the only good news is that the AD has no attachment to Riley. In fact, it seems she has been building an ecosystem for this exact situation….bring in a real coach and you have the players and facility to flip the script

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. They had THE golden opportunity to do that when they hired this buffoon … but in classic USC fashion instead hired someone unfit for the job … USC has had two great coaches in its history and both were accidental hires who they were able to underpay.

        Liked by 3 people

    1. Unlike the weasel, Schianno made the right call in gambling (just a wretched play design) – as terrible as USC has played, gotta note that #8 made a huge play stopping the 3rd down play a yard short.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  11. Patterson is kinda an idiot —he’s in the exactly wrong defense on every 4th down play except one—gotta put more pressure on the QB, not rely on our sterling pass defense….

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. yes! Did you see the back to back late shifts by the end to the interior, basically leaving the exact lane the RB was going to wide open. He really seems to be the perfect hire for Riley #Dumbanddumber

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

    2. I don’t blame Riley – Patterson is to blame period – his schemes failed throughout the game save the miraculous fumble recovery to seal the game.

      I like Gary Patterson but this was all his and your wisecrack Scott about the +100 yd interception return failed to note it is the longest in USC history.

      Get ready for OR

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Hopefully, we have the potential to play way better than this on defense, Alv….

        …. but I kinda doubt it….

        #OregonIsSalivating

        Liked by 2 people

      3. I guess you’re trying to blame this all on Coach Riley …. just cuz he hires bozos as d-coordinators….. and has NEVER fielded a team with a decent defense….and loses games in the last 30 seconds as opponents run straight his defense to win from behind…

        Like

  13. watching these corners and defensive players celebrate on any incompletion or tackle after a 5 yard gain as if they made a game saving play as part of a dominant performance. Its embarrassing. You are getting worked up and down the field by one of the worst teams in the country. You have nothing to celebrate. Shut your mouth and get back to the huddle. You have nothing to be proud of. Best save your energy to attempt to redeem you and your team going forward rather than celebrate one stop only to be followed by another pathetic play where you give up big yardage. #fireemall

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    2. I said this exact same thing all night. That…and them acting like they are putting their sword away is the most stupid inane action on the football field

      #PlayTheGameAndQuitEffingAround

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. He literally couldn’t pronounce “Trojan” right. Psychological slip, he really doesn’t buy into the whole ‘SC thing, even now.

        Liked by 3 people

      3. …to his eternal credit he did realize he mispronounced the NAME OF HIS TEAM and actually corrected himself….. Good on Lincoln!

        #[Seriously: NeverHeardACoachMuffTeamNameBefore]

        Liked by 2 people

  17. Lollipop 🍭 Lincoln got everything he asked for. Open NIL purse and shiny new facilities as well as a top recruiting class. Total commitment from the school with resources that you could only find at maybe a handful of other places. Top notch GM and support staff for said GM. The lack of development of players is absolutely incredible. Human nature dictates that the more you do something the better you get at it. These guys actually get worse as time goes on. It’s absolutely incredible. Did I mention that I find it incredible?????????

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply

    3. perfectly set up for a real coach….we endure a blow out next week…and 5 more losses….Penn state, Ohio state, Washington, Wisconsin and Indiana…all losses. 6 loss season and the pressure will be enough that even a 50M right off wont matter. Go get someone who actually knows what USC actually is…honors tradition…plays anyone, anywhere….shows up for the fans and boosters….and can actually coach and hold kids accountable! And for God’s sake, do not make it a washed up NFL coach (see NC) or retread the game has left behind. Defense first head coach who can hire any one of a dozen young O coordinators. We need a head coach that lives, eats and breaths defense and accountability. Thats why Carroll won…he built the toughness and defensive identity….usc will always have great offense and skill players. Its defense that wins championships…now and always

      Liked by 5 people

      Reply

      2. You don’t need to “know” USC, you have to be able to coach, getting SC isn’t hard, but you HAVE to want to get USC and Riley only cares about the paycheck

        Liked by 2 people

  19. So remember, I said all of this years ago. All the bs I’ve heard of lauding this guy since before he came, when he’s just the continuation of Sarkiffinhelton… Selfish, egotistical passing game coordinators that respected nothing and are all about self and self promotion. They don’t run programs, they need to be either given clear management and direction or they will destroy themselves and/ or programs. Any coach that can get out of his own way and be a real head coach will have championships at USC. Otherwise it’s decades of waste and futility. Off topic, wth happened to the Song Girls???

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  20. Cheap shot Department:

    I’m certain Coach Patterson is a very nice man —but when you see him on the sidelines frantically waving his little arms like Greg Gutfeld you realize exactly why nobody’s playing hard for him…

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    2. Patterson did that as a head coach at TCU, in fact, it was far more pronounced then than now. Guy was good until the RPO came along, he still has no idea how to defend it

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      2. KAM: Kiffin is Pete’s mentor.

        DON: Getting rid of OC Naamie Chow and replacing him with Kiffin and Drunk Sark was the dumbest move of Pete’s SC career.

        Like

  23. Parity throughout the land….’the princess’ got a gift questuionable TD and leads MI St. 17 – 10 at the half….Vanderbilt survives a foolish move by NC St…..KY flattened TX A&M

    GA, IA, MI, UT, Miami, OH St. PA St., LOU, AL, OR all cruised but this is a very dynamic season of uncertainty esp MS taking it to LSU and OK barely over NM let alone TX having trouble with UTSA.

    We won we’re 4 – 0 we face OR next

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  25. Mike note this insight by Scott

    ‘USC lucks out with a horrible pass in the end zone that turns into a 99-yard pick six.’

    I guess any pick is ‘luck’ kind of like some 59 years ago when Pat Cashman picked off Gary Beban accounting for 7 of the 21 points scored that day.

    Ugly win but a win and it is in motion

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. PERSONAL MESSAGE TO GEORGE: WHILE WE WERE FLOODED OUT OF OUR HOME WE STAYED AT A BED AND BREAKFAST WHICH HAD A ROACH. YOU TOLD ME YOU FELT BAD ABOUT KILLING ROACHES…SO… I CAUGHT THIS PHUCKER IN A JAR [HE RAN INTO IT, I DIDN’T REALLY HAVE TO CATCH HIM]. I FILLED THE JAR WITH A FACE CLOTH AND CRAMMED HIM AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE JAR. … BUT…CUZ OF YOU I FELT SORRY FOR HIM AND TOOK HIM OUT TO THE YARD & LET HIM GO… HE IMMEDIATELY RAN RIGHT BACK IN THE HOUSE….. [HE EXITED IN 3 OR 4 PIECES THIS TIME]…..

      #SORRY,GEORGE…I TRIED TO DO IT YOUR WAY…

      #…BUT HE WOULDN’T LET ME…

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. MickeyG: I am pleased to announce you have been awarded the title of Honorary Liberal in recognition of your valiant attempt to spare a lowly roach!! My uncle once used a “sticky trap” to catch a mouse, but upon hearing his pitiful squeals of distress, attempted to free the rodent. Of course it then bit him on the finger.

        #ActsOfHeroism

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Oh, man! The same thing happened to me as a kid when I tried to save a bee from drowning in the pool!

        #NatureCanBeSoCruel

        Like

      3. I’M SORRY TO SAY HE DIDN’T LOOK SO PEACEFUL THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM, GEORGE.

        [I EVEN HAD TO GIVE HIM THE TONY MONTANA “I TRIED TO TELL YOU BUT YOU WOULDN’T LISTEN! LOOK AT YOU NOW!” LINE]……

        Liked by 1 person

  30. KAM: Good news The pre-season line favored Oregon over SC by 5 1/2 points but it is now down to 1 1/2

    DON: I guess Oregon’s loss at Oklahoma St shaked some confidence out of the Ducks

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  31. KAM: The SC boys have to fly back from the East Coast and they lose a day of practice whereas Oregon played Friday night and gets an extra day of practice

    DON: All is fair in football. And politics

    Like

    Reply

  32. KAM: Look at the bright side– everywhere SC travels it brings great joy to the locals

    DON: Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, and now Rutgers has to be feeling pretty good about itself

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  33. KAM: SC thought they were getting the Gary Patterson who back in the early 2000s was a defensive guru

    DON: Instead SC is singing “Where have you gone Gary Patterson, our nation (SC) turns its lonely eyes to you”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  34. As noted by ‘passerus domesticus’ Riley does know offense but hasn’t the skill or desire to manage the team as a head coach i.e. trusting hired assistants to create individual play and permit him to truly ‘manage’ the team.

    I wouldn’t put too much stock in OR being dominant a week hence….Patterson claims to be a defensive guru….one week to settle on the players and schemes against the quackers.

    It looks dark

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  35. KAM: Trojan fans are really down on the team

    DON: But come Saturday and Oregon they will all become hopeful Trojans

    KAM: But what happens if SC loses?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  36. Lots of holes in the secondary, and did everyone see how the Rutgers offensive line dominated our defensive line. Our corners and safeties are also terrible look slow, and unorganized.

    Oregon will smash SC this week . I don’t care how good our offensive is Oregon will control the line of scrimmage on both sides, and our offense will hardly see the field.

    Oregon- 56

    USC 28

    It’s all about culture- please no more Juke Boxes this is football not Saturday night live. It all starts at the top with our head coach.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  38. DON: But what’s not to be mad about, this is not the SC football team we expected and the wait is over, either beat Oregon or get out of ‘Dodge

    KAM: That’s a bit harsh on Wiley as SC is an obvious underdog to Oregon

    Like

    Reply

  39. DON: SC had better hope the Oregon game is a ‘shootout’ because they’re going to need a lot of points to muzzle the Ducks

    KAM: Are you inferring that it is the Trojan defense that is in question?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Right on the money, John. 9/26 will be just like all Riley games: a track meet.

      #WeJustDon’tWantItToEndLikeUtahOrTulane….

      #…WhichIsToSay…

      #…UsGettingBeatAsTheDefenseGivesUpLastMinuteTouchDown

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  40. DON: Come on. All I’ll say about SC’s defense is that I bet opposing offensive coordinators can’t wait to see the Trojans

    KAM: But we should recall that the advantage is to the offense because with each play they know where they’re going and the defense doesn’t

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  41. DON: I of course didn’t bother watching the ucla game but I read where they did well on offense at least, which was expected with an expensive quarterback and hotshot running back

    KAM: ucla has gone from being a ‘trap game’ to a more serious game

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. FYI –Rutgers was picked to place last in the Big Ten [along with Purdue]. Their QB was rated the worst in the Big Ten…

        #[NowWeGetToFaceTheBest,DanteMoore…

        #…Let’sSeeHowThatWorksOut]…..

        Like

  42. KAM: It was nice to see some of the expected “wipeout” games become competitive like with SC-Rutgers

    DON: It shows there are hard-nosed football players in any football college, it’s only the talent that separates them

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. ….And it works the other way too, John: Sometimes being able to play “hard nosed” separates them…..

      #RileyNeedsToWorkOnThatPart

      Like

      Reply

      1. Every Trojan fan needs to think about the fact our “shutout” game came against a QB starting his FIRST game…. everybody else has cut our defense up….

        Like

      3. Agreed. [But I watched Indiana play —and, man, they really “get” the concept of hardnosed football better than we do]…..

        #ExceptForLastYear’sMichiganGame—

        #…WeWentAllHardnosedForThatOne!

        Like

Leave a Reply