Sounds like this one was ugly...

DC Trojan asked me a very interesting question this evening...

Did the coaches let Sanchez play when he wasn't 100%?

If so why? Mustain probably could have done just as good a job. This team is totally unpredictable on offense right now.

As I mentioned I did not get to see this game but from what I read this was an absolute stinker...On offense.

USC improved to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play despite the worst performance of quarterback Mark Sanchez's career.

The junior committed four turnovers -- a fumble and three interceptions in the third quarter -- but the Trojans defense preserved its shutout with two blocked field-goal attempts by tackle Fili Moala.

Sanchez, who suffered a bone bruise in his left knee last week against Oregon, completed 13 of 26 passes for 179 yards, including a four-yard touchdown pass to receiver Damian Williams. He also rushed for a touchdown as USC took a 21-0 halftime lead.

But the Trojans needed cornerback Kevin Thomas' 46-yard interception return for a touchdown and Moala's blocked kicks to make the score look somewhat impressive against an Arizona State team that suffered its fourth consecutive defeat.

I was able to get some updates on my phone but they were incomplete but I could tell that things were looking absolutely awful in the 2nd half. It's obvious that the defense is pretty much the reason why SC was able to win the way they did. It is difficult to understand how a team with this type of talent on offense struggles the way its been described in the second half. ASU has a decent defense but not that good this wasn't about the ASU defense beating SC this was about Mark Sanchez just not being able to make plays.

This was the worst performance ever by Mark Sanchez...

On a Saturday afternoon when eighth-ranked USC won ugly over Arizona State, 28-0, the junior quarterback was responsible for several less-than-elegant moments.

Surely he played well enough to lead his team to victory, which is any quarterback's primary responsibility, but numbers-wise it was the worst day of his college career.

Worst as in 13 for 26 for 179 yards. Worst as in three interceptions and a fumble.

I'm not sure there is anything more to say. 50% effectiveness and under 200 yards for this supposed high-octane offense is unacceptable though the one bright spot was Joe McKnight's big day.

Joe McKnight ran for a career-high 143 yards on 11 carries and Kevin Thomas returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown for the Trojans (4-1, 2-1 Pac-10), who extended their winning streak over the Sun Devils to nine games winning by an average of 20.1 points.

So, I guess that's a bright spot.

There is no need to discuss the defense, they did their job and the youngsters that came in at the end preserved the shutout so to me the defense has nothing to answer for. They did what we expected them to do. There really isn't much else to say. I am not going to bother trying to break this one down. I know a win is a win but I would have liked to see a better offensive performance.

More tomorrow...if I find something interesting.