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