USC 30 Cal 3 - USC had the Better #4 on the Field!
by Paragon SC on Oct 3, 2009 8:43 PM PDT
in USC Football
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PrintWell either USC is much much improved or Cal is not as good as we thought.
Maybe a little bit of both.
Cal went right down on their first drive, they moved the ball very well. SC's soft zone helped as well. They were threatening to score when Taylor Mays picked a Riley pass off in the end zone.
That was pretty much Cal's offense for the night. After that they just disappeared. Yes, they got a FG in the forth quarter but every time they got close the SC defense shut them down.
Matt Barkley played pretty good tonight. He had some balls sail on him but outside of the one INT that he threw he made some nice throws to Damian Williams. USC had 8 or nine different receivers catch a pass tonight. Anthony McCoy is going to be a very effect TE in the NFL. He made some catches and he made some great blocks. Joe McKnight had a great game as well he had some nice runs in the first quarter. Allen Bradford was serviceable but we also saw why he is not an effective short yardage back.
SC did what they needed to do in containing Jahvid Best. He rushed for more yards than he did last year against USC but it really did not matter...SC had his number. Cal QB Kevin Riley never got into a groove after throwing that INT in the end zone. He made a few nice throws here and there but he really never really was a threat to SC. The defense pressured him all night.
My biggest concern was USC's inability to score a TD inside the 10-yard line. They are still too conservative down there but I have hope that they will figure it out.
So, it is a great win for SC...on the road and it wasn't that crazy at all. The crowd was never in it after that first drive. I may have more tomorrow but it is the wife's birthday so it is her day!
Leave your observations here...This is our Post Game thread!
FIGHT ON!
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It’s going to be tough to pick up the pieces. Tedford on the verge and again has an epic collapse on his hands. Best is a nice little back but he can’t do against a stacked box, and did you see Mays run him down? Unbelievable.
The clamor to fire Tedford will become impossible to dismiss if they can’t beat UCLA and Stanford. That’s the season for them.
We're 4-1!
and getting better. Despite the amazing amount of injuries, despite having to rely on the freshman, sophomores and first-time starters, and yes – despite Aaron Corp – Pete has us sitting pretty at 4-1 with road wins at tOSU and Cal. Not bad, not bad at all!
Some observations
Is it me, or is PC trying too hard to throw the ball down field? I’ve understand Barkley’s got an arm, but it doesn’t mean he’s got to force it down field every chance he gets. Do you guys think PC’s is way too enamored with him. It even shows in his post-game interviews.
That’s a fair question. I think it’s borderline, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was driven by a need to replace Sanchez. But if they don’t try and get him working downfield passes, it’s going to make things too easy for opposing defenses.
Visualization
One of PC’s tenets, from the Inner Game of Tennis, is to visualize your game. I believe he is visualizing Barkley as the next Elway with the belief that his positive thinking will help to make it happen. I think it will work in this case.
Sorry but Tim Galloway is an impostor
Never like his book and he took a lot of ideas for Vic Braden
Paul D. Kelley
It's not about doing your job, But can you do it with a TENNIS BALL in your throat!
by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 4, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions
DC – I feel you on the Sanchez comment. I also agree we have to keep defenses honest by tossing some deep balls. However, it seemed to me throughout the Washington St. & Cal game that every time Barkley drops back, he’s throwing 15 – 20 yards downfield. I think mixing in some short dinks and dunks would help out as well and not put us in 3rd and long situations. I also think sometimes we get too cute with the play calling when maybe we should just stick with what’s working. Again, just some observations.
a word for Bradford
I understand the comment about Bradford not being great as a short-yardage back, but last week we were saying how great it was that he had the ability to wait for the gap to emerge and then take off, being hard to bring down. That doesn’t merge too well with pounding into where the gap might be, per Stafon Johnson. But he might learn.
I was seriously impressed with that ruck-style run he pulled off though, with about 9 people involved in either trying to prop him up or bring him down. That was some serious strength.
Bradford should be starter McKnight should be change of pace
McKnight can undoubtedly reel off the long highlight film run a couple times a game. But using him as a starter? As seen repeatedly this year, he is consistently stopped for a 1 or 2 yard gain in a role as 1st and second down back. He repeatedly is stopped for short gain or no gain when he goes sideline to sideline. He is no Reggie Bush.
Bradford is excellent as a 1st and 2nd down runner. Punishing and he sees the holes. We should have Bradford in there as the starter. McKnight is best suited as the change of pace.
Did you guys see Polk in the UW/ND game?
That was a great performance. He is going to be a very good RB.
Well since I have now reprogramed my PC I'm back
Well PC took care of Tedford and Co. now on to Charley and Co., I hope the offense was prolific enough for the ones needing Macho points.
Yes I would have been nice to see AB more, but it look like PC wanted this and you can’t argue the result.
Paul D. Kelley
It's not about doing your job, But can you do it with a TENNIS BALL in your throat!
by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 4, 2009 9:26 AM PDT reply actions
red zone
I think we worry too much. The loss is behind us. The offensive scheme is continuing to expand at a speed that doesn’t give the kids the “tennesse two step”. Each week a little stronger all around, sound familiar, people??
If we shed the denial, this IS a Pete Carroll version of a “rebuilding year”. Whats gonna be the result? Rose Bowl and another big win. Maybe his best coaching performance to date.
This game was a monster.We won it handily, easily.In lock step with Trojan tradition. Amazing!
Yep, I noticed the red zone problems as everyone did. Oh well. Who doesn’t have trouble scoring in the red zone. There aren’t enough Brett Favres to go around.The coaches will tweek the play calling, practices etc and it will get better each week.
We will end up in the top 5 AGAIN, perfectly set up for the next year or two. Pre-season number one or two and the NC game ours for the taking. I’m now a patience advocate. Pete has this in control and knows what to do when things don’t quite go the way as planned. Man, are we LUCKY. Nobody, does it better.
What am I doing up at this ungodly hour?
Oh yeah! Check out (“f”- THAT! I’m crashing here one more night. besides. . . . .I’m in “Emeryville”!)
Memorial Stadium was electric. And then Taylor Mays put a sudden stop to all that. The crowd was eager and hopeful. And then Taylor Mays put a stop to that. Again (Best’s try for the first and then getting beat up on the sideline)
Hey, these Cal students are good sports. They’re still hopeful, and just as pissed as we were after our Washington game.
I can’t discern good from bad in yesterday’s win. I’m just so stoked we won.
Fight On Matt Barkley! You are on everyone’s hated list here in Berkeley. (btw: they’re looking for Aaron Corp’s phone number, anyone have it? It’s split at about 60/40 for Riley to be replaced. Go figure)
I’m drinking two more, then going back to sleep. (in the jacuzzi)
"As for being a Raiders fan, I wouldn't wish that fucking shit on anybody." [the venerable OTS at Roll Bama Roll}
did you go to Pyramid Brewery
Paul D. Kelley
It's not about doing your job, But can you do it with a TENNIS BALL in your throat!
by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 4, 2009 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey SoCal!
Nah, man. I ended up at The 20-Tank on 9th and Harrison in The City- closed the place down then went across the street to DNA Lounge. Went directly to a huge ‘SC party after the game though- at the Cha Cha Cha in Upper Haight. Coudn’t get a table, so went to the 20-tank got some grub, I needed it! (are you kidding me? Berzerkley was berzerk. there were some students parading around on bicycles chastising Trojan fans and A TON of sad faces and the place was practically a ghost town after!!! should have stayed in Berkeley though, I would have gotten some food way easy.?) I’ve never been to the Pyramid, where is it again? I’ll be sure to hit it up next time, however the 20-Tank has TWENTY home brews by brewmeisters from all over (actually, mainly from UC Davis- believe it or not?)
"As for being a Raiders fan, I wouldn't wish that fucking shit on anybody." [the venerable OTS at Roll Bama Roll}
by BixBeiderbecke on Oct 4, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions
901 gilman st Berkeley
Paul D. Kelley
It's not about doing your job, But can you do it with a TENNIS BALL in your throat!
by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 5, 2009 3:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Way to Represent!
Very nice win! We remain inconsistent on offense, but finally showed some improvement. The D did what it always does.
However, I’m not drinking the Kool-aid yet. Cal has DONE NOTHING over the last few seasons, including this season, to show that they are a good team. They really had no business being ranked. IMO, we beat two horrible teams in WSU and SJSU and an imposter in Cal. The OSU win was pretty good, but lucky, and against a very overrated team.
Our remaining schedule is brutal. We are the only BCS team to play 6 of our first 9 on the road, and we still have 3 tough road games left. And, Stanford and OSU at home will also be tough. I still predict 1 or 2 more losses. But, I also predict Pac-X co-champ at 7-2, since the conference is fairly weak with parity this season. Rose Bowl still a possibility.
Cal was a fraud. But, it is a pleasure watching young Barkley develop. He is the 2nd coming. And, D-Will could be a 1st team All-American if we would keep giving him the damn ball. Finally, I hope CJ Gables transfers for the good of his career. Beat the Irish!
I've been reading your comments lately DFW, and. . . .
. . . .right there with you buddy on CJ and the offense. Good writing my man. Very good comments from you Loco, and DC. How’s the weather in Texas? I got back a few weeks ago, loved it out there. Met some righteous Trojan named Dave Guitterez, he’s an investment banker and man. . . . .those Texas Trojans are PARTY CANNIBALS! (chasing skirts up and down Berkeley and San Francisco. crazy people those Texas Trojans. they’’re legion. and now. . . .mythic!)
"As for being a Raiders fan, I wouldn't wish that fucking shit on anybody." [the venerable OTS at Roll Bama Roll}
by BixBeiderbecke on Oct 4, 2009 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey Bix!
Glad to hear you represented us well. Pete Carroll owns Tedford and the Bears, and they sure as hell want revenge any way they can get it. The Kalnicks were over at Wolf’s blog proposing redistribution of talent… only in Bererkely. It’s god to know you made it out of the East Bay in one piece!
We're Oklahoma Fans Now
The road to the NC is set. First we win all our remaining games; then Big Game Bob manages to beat Texas along the way. See? How simple is that!
And another thing, while watching the replay it came to realize that wtf is Bates doing on the sideline? While the offense is on the field he stands there looking constipated (ok, ok, “cerebral”), and between sets he squats on the bench like a slacker going through his homework 5 minutes before class. Not good. The guy belongs up in the booth looking all brainy-like for crying out loud, and JohnnyMo should come down to the sidelines where he can do some good pumping the guys up. Just sayin’.
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