Before we jump on the airwaves and fully break down and analyze the game on Bleav In LA Football, The Coach and The Don give their instant analysis and reaction to the Trojans comeback win over the Colorado Buffaloes.
The Don
Whew. Well that was eventful. The Trojans entered the 4th quarter down 10 and every USC fan thought the same thing, “Here we go again, another road loss.” Not so fast, my friend.
One thing that his Trojan team has demonstrated is that they play with heart. They have a never give up attitude, and continue to play for each other and for this coaching staff. Well this was exemplified again on Saturday night in Boulder.
Down 31-21, Kedon Slovis led his team to a big victory for this program. Is Colorado a top team In the country? No. Are they even a top team in the PAC-12? No. But this program needed a win that put their grit and determination on display. The game winning drive was a perfect example of this. The ball ended up on the deck, twice, and somehow USC fell on it both times.
Slovis kept his teams composure and continued to drive the ball down the field before finding the captain of the offense, Michael Pittman Jr., for the game-winning touchdown.
With all of the injuries piled up, Head Coach Clay Helton coached an overall gem, and put his players in a position to be successful.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the game was the chess match between USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, and Colorado Head Coach, and defensive wiz, Mel Tucker. Tucker drew up some great defensive looks and kept the Trojan offense on the ropes, but in the end, Harrell demonstrated his maturation as a play-caller, and seeled the game in the final minutes.
Great win for the Trojans, now on to Oregon…
Fight On!
Folsom Field. Photo Credit: Wally Gobetz | Under Creative Commons License
The Coach
Down 31-21 going into the fourth quarter, USC was facing an uphill battle. The defense held Colorado scoreless in the final quarter while the offense went on a four minute, 90-yard drive that ended with the game-winning play. Slovis hit one of Pittman for the final score of the game. USC showed grit and determination. Honestly, the coaching staff deserves credit.
I am one of the many who believes Clay Helton will not be on the USC sideline much longer. However, with all of the pessimism surrounding his long term tenure with the Trojans, he has kept his head down and prepared his team each and every week. I would consider the BYU game the only true bad loss. (Is there ever really a good loss?) But you understand what I am saying.
Clay Helton and Graham Harrell have taken this team to a 5-3 record with a backup quarterback and most recently a depleted running back group. I have never actually considered Clay Helton a bad football coach, I just don’t know if he is at the level that USC needs to propel them to the elite echelon so many hold them to. Regardless of all the noise, Helton has done a nice job the last couple of weeks. While I still do not see him around passed 2019, coach to coach, I do tip my hat to him.