The Coach
USC’s offense looked great again for the second week in a row. This time they were able to sustain their production over the entirety of the contest. They were facing a tough Cal defense on the road and took a 17-10 halftime lead thanks to a Kedon Slovis touchdown pass to Michael Pittman, Jr right at the end of the second quarter.
Unlike last week, USC was able to come out in the second half and build upon their first-half success. A six-play drive boosted by a completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown that went for 50 yards ended with another Slovis touchdown sling. This one landed in the hands of Drake London who caught the ball right at the goal line and subtly spun into the end zone to ensure the touchdown.
USC looked like a complete team despite being penalized eight times throughout the contest. Including Christian Rector‘s early ejection for targeting following a monstrous hit on Cal running back Christopher Brown Jr. The defense picked the ball off twice but one ended in a fumble on the return and was given right back to the Bears. Still, overall a good team outing and solid win heading into the UCLA matchup.
Kedon Slovis has really made the future of the USC offense intriguing. He threw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns for the second straight game. He has played extremely well and the improvement he has shown over the course of his freshman season should cause excitement for the potential of his improvement over an entire career. A quarterback contest will no doubt be held throughout spring and into summer and fall camps for USC.
Now, a probable coaching change could add a wrinkle to that competition. Slovis has thrived under Coach Graham Harrell and adapting to a new scheme may or may not hinder Slovis’ and/or Daniels’ potential at USC.
The Don
After another somewhat sluggish start against CAL, USC got rolling late in the second quarter and never looked back. Kedon Slovis put together another fantastic stat-line and was extremely efficient finishing 29/35 for 406 yards and four touchdowns. What was more impressive to me was how he got to those numbers. Let’s make sure we give credit to the offensive line who looked great against the CAL rush and gave Slovis all sorts of time throughout the game, but the young QB looked poised yet again, and did a great job not settling and going though his progressions. He also extended numerous plays with his legs as he escaped the pocket and then pushed the ball downfield.
I loved the playcalling as well in this one. Graham Harrell basically said, we have some of the best receivers in the country and we are going to prove it by allowing them to make plays. On our preview show, Bleav In LA Football, we talked about how the matchup between the ‘SC Receivers and CAL Secondary would be a fun one to watch. Well, it was fun for Trojan fans, as Michael Pittman Jr. and Co torched the CAL secondary. Pittman Jr. himself finished with 11 receptions, 180 yards, and one score.
The semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award were just announced, and Pittman Jr. made the cut, and rightfully so. He has been dominant all year and the leading receiver among this tremendous corps.
This is was a really good win for the Trojans as they now set their sights for a rivalry matchup with the UCLA Bruins.
For more analysis on the Trojans, make sure to check out Bleav In LA Football!