FOOTBALL

USC-Ohio State Report Card

QUARTERBACK

It was actually a pretty mixed performance by Jayden Maiava. He had the two long TD passes (one just a short flick to Trent Mosley) but almost had two disastrous interceptions. One was dropped by the Ohio State defender and the other one was ruled out of bounds. USC was also only 4 for 10 on third downs.

Grade: C+

RUNNING BACK

Waymond Jordan flashed early, so why didn’t he play the previous week? There are whispers he was hurt but Lincoln Riley said it was a coaches’ decision. USC averaged 4 yards per carry.

Grade: B-

WIDE RECEIVER

Pretty crazy that neither Kayden Dixon-Wyatt nor Tanook Hines caught a pass. The big plays from Trent Mosley and Mark Bowman made the difference in the game.

Grade: B

OFFENSIVE LINE

Another mixed bag where it struggled on some plays, like short-yardage, and then suddenly opened a hole for a longer run.

Grade: C

DEFENSIVE LINE

Ohio State rushed for 204 yards. On the other hand, the Buckeyes were held to a touchdown. Was that partly the line’s work or Ryan Day’s?

Grade: C+

LINEBACKERS

They were part of the run defense woes too but at least they looked active and made more plays than usual.

Grade: B-

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Nothing changed. There was receiver wide open for a 32-yard TD but the pass was underthrown. A couple other deep passes dropped. They were lucky they faced a first-time starting QB who was a true freshman.

Grade: D+

SPECIAL TEAMS

So the brain trust trotted Ryon Sayeri out for a 54-yard field goal but didn’t use him the previous week on a long kick. At least Mosley made the coaches look on the punt return.

Grade: B+

COACHING

Does anyone know what was going on at the end of the first half? USC had the ball on its own 25 with 1:46 remaining. It then ran the ball or threw short passes on 7 of 9 plays and never tried to reach the end zone before things stalled out at the Ohio State 19. If it wasn’t for Ohio State’s inept offense, questions would be raised for USC having the ball for only 20 minutes the entire game.

Grandpa Patterson is getting plaudits but his defense gave up 464 yards and was on the field for 40 minutes against a green QB.

Grade: C-

SPECIAL MENTION: POST-GAME CELEBRATION

So the game ends and thousands of fans descend on the field for the first time since 2013 at the Coliseum.

It was excellent opportunity to meet the moment. But instead, USC band director Jacob Vogel had the band perform the same brisk post-game concert it always does. It was so short, the band left with many people still on the field. Wouldn’t you want to make it the best post-game show of all-time when you have the biggest audience?

Grade: D

25 thoughts on “USC-Ohio State Report Card”

  1. giving the Band a D was a classic Wolfian touch!! but then the Band has always resented the wolfman, who sashays around the field surrounded by cheer-groupies while they suffer in their suffocating unis, having to perform that insipid TUSK.

    #MonsterMovie:WolfmanVsTheBandDirector

    Like

    Reply

  3. Averaging across all categories, not even a C+.

    Didn’t they beat the number two team in the country?

    Yes, OSU had a true frosh in at QB, but he played a very good game, had a few passes dropped that perhaps were due to USC cornerback coverage pressure. If those passes had been completed, the kid would have had 300 yards plus passing.

    Bowman’s play by himself give the WR/TE category an A.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  4. Now it has been confirmed that if SC loses the coaches will receive F grades, and if they win then Scott will throw them a bone

    Like

    Reply

  5. With SC enjoying a bye week there are some games this Saturday that might have an influence on SC’s standing at the end of the season if the Trojans are able to win out–

    Missouri, LSU, ucla, Ohio St and BYU losses would be a help

    Like

    Reply

    1. KAM: We want UCLA to win out until they play us so we get credit with the College Football Playoff Committee for crushing a Top Ten team.

      DON: Once again Cowardly Sparrow Gabby aka Cowardly Gabby displays she has zero Football IQ.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. KAM: We must have done something terrible to this guy to have him insult us year after year

    DON: If you disagree with his politics he won’t let go of you

    Like

    Reply

    1. KAM: “We” = all of Cowardly Gabby’s various aliases and impersonations.

      DON: You need incarceration at Atascadero State Mental Hospital for the rest of your meaningless existence.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. KAM: Cowardly Sparrow Gabby, tell us again how California was part of Mexico for centuries.

      DON: BWWWWWWWWWWAAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Like

      Reply

      1. KAM: That is quite a compliment that somebody would keep track of everything we say

        DON: And always looking for some mistake we might make

        Like

      2. KAM: Bonehead still won’t admit she was wrong.

        DON: More proof she is Cowardly Gabby-she flunked 3rd grade California History class!

        Like

  9. Consider should ‘the princess’, currently ranked # 11, lose this Ssturdsy evening at home against Miami and TX, AL, UCLA. OH St., KY, BYU, GA, Wake For. all win – they’ll drop and they will not face another ranked team rest of the season to rise.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

      1. Normally ‘yes’ the networks know eyes are always drawn to watch but – No…..this year the parity is overwhelming – no one is dominating even if Miami were to win Saturday. If ‘the princess’ lost to Miami that would be to the only two teams that were ranked when they played them they have no way to ascend based on their remaining games.

        This is the reason they were so insistent on USC playing them in late November and wanted nothing to do with mid-September. Their schedule is weak and their 2027 is the same – currently only two ranked opponents – Wake Forest (9th Oct.) and BYU not known.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Scott, your analysis from a technical standpoint is pretty accurate. However, in the grand scheme of things for USC football, the win itself was an A. The team rose to the occasion regardless of who played QB for The Ohio State University. This game was a dominant performance for the recruits in attendance to see. It also energized the student section and the overall fan base. We hope that it indicates the way that the team will play in the next three days. But, knowing that it is possible makes us hopeful. I agree about the band not seizing the moment. Even if they just kept playing Conquest while fans were still congregating would have been terrific as a tribute. I know that it was a rainy night, but these opportunities to generate an emotional spirit come few and far between. Fight on, Dan, Class of 1962

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Scooter,

    Oline gets an F: Explanation below

    Head coach: F-, With a 1:10 left in the first half and SC has the ball, he allowed 31 seconds to tick off until 41 seconds were left on the clock. He wasted a whole play. Why did the pencil neck geek call a time out with 1:09 left? he could have run a couple more plays and maybe get a td.

    Online coach: F-, they only ran the ball for 84 yards. The oline is soft as jello. They were pushed back and SC lost yardage. Sc needs to run power and counter. Coach needs to get them physical.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Wolfman, looks like LA decided to dump trOJie Bass and hire a Socialist! Capital idea!!! We’re defunding the cops and using the dough to build homeless shelters in Bev Hills!! We can finally police ourselves!! Also we will tear down SC unless they reduce tuition by 90%

    #JustGettingWarmedUp

    #SocialistParsdise

    Like

    Reply

Leave a Reply