This one will stand out for a long, long time. A terrible, gut wrenching loss in a game I truly thought we deserved to win. One thing is for sure: this team has many bright days ahead...just look at the volumes of lower classmen who will only improve with more game-time experience.
Three comments, then I'm retiring for the evening:
First...three really questionable calls went against us...beginning with the obvious pass interference on Woods which wasn't called n the end zone. Ultimately, it cost us a shot at 7...we settled for 3.
Second, on the play with Woods going out out bounds, it appeared there was one second left...time for a long FG to win it. The refs took the easy way, and signalled end of regulation.
Third, the personal foul on McDonald on third and six provided Luck with all he needed to tie the game.
SC will survive, but this one should have been ours.
No more tonight.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
A truly great win against ND...
While tonight's 31-17 win over Notre Dame will never equal the all-time 1931, 1974 and 2005 victories, it will certainly do, and then some!
SC's composed and well executed win over the favored Irish will do wonders for this team's confidence. No one gave SC much of a chance...indeed the betting line at kickoff was ND by 9.5 points. So much for the expert opinions.
There are many positives to take from the victory. In no specific order, I would like to cite these:
Great team composure...no turnovers, very few penalties, and excellent overall execution. All items are a credit to the coaching staff fielding a very young team in a very hostile road environment.
Matt Barkley was superb. Poised, effective and error free. The defense, overall, performed well, particularly in stopping ND's run game. SC's often inconsistent running game showed major improvement...especially the hard running of smallish Curtis McNeal. SC ran for over 200 yards on the ground.
Takeaways are always crucial and tonight was no different. Three really major turnovers by the Irish while SC was error-free. A major significant improvement.
All in all, a great win. Short of a Rose Bowl or national championship win, very little means more than beating ND, particularly in South Bend.
SC's composed and well executed win over the favored Irish will do wonders for this team's confidence. No one gave SC much of a chance...indeed the betting line at kickoff was ND by 9.5 points. So much for the expert opinions.
There are many positives to take from the victory. In no specific order, I would like to cite these:
Great team composure...no turnovers, very few penalties, and excellent overall execution. All items are a credit to the coaching staff fielding a very young team in a very hostile road environment.
Matt Barkley was superb. Poised, effective and error free. The defense, overall, performed well, particularly in stopping ND's run game. SC's often inconsistent running game showed major improvement...especially the hard running of smallish Curtis McNeal. SC ran for over 200 yards on the ground.
Takeaways are always crucial and tonight was no different. Three really major turnovers by the Irish while SC was error-free. A major significant improvement.
All in all, a great win. Short of a Rose Bowl or national championship win, very little means more than beating ND, particularly in South Bend.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Crucial three weeks coming up...
We're going to know a great deal more about the 2011 Trojans during the next three weeks.
First up...Cal on Thursday night. The Bears are up and down, but can be trouble at home. This is a must win for Lane Kiffin.
Next is ND at South Bend. The Irish are improving, but hardly the world beaters that some of the pundits are prounouncing. SC can score on anyone, but needs more of a consistent running game. This is an ancient, storied, and hard fought rivalry...SC must atone for last year's poor effort in the Coliseum. Expect a war.
Lastly, here comes Stanford to the Coliseum. Andrew Luck and Co. are playing very well...certainly in the nation's top ten at this time. The Trojans' defense will need to play at its absolute best. A win over the Trees will be an upset, but it is possible.
All in all, three weeks from now we should have a definitive idea about the strength and viability of SC in 2011. Fight On!!
First up...Cal on Thursday night. The Bears are up and down, but can be trouble at home. This is a must win for Lane Kiffin.
Next is ND at South Bend. The Irish are improving, but hardly the world beaters that some of the pundits are prounouncing. SC can score on anyone, but needs more of a consistent running game. This is an ancient, storied, and hard fought rivalry...SC must atone for last year's poor effort in the Coliseum. Expect a war.
Lastly, here comes Stanford to the Coliseum. Andrew Luck and Co. are playing very well...certainly in the nation's top ten at this time. The Trojans' defense will need to play at its absolute best. A win over the Trees will be an upset, but it is possible.
All in all, three weeks from now we should have a definitive idea about the strength and viability of SC in 2011. Fight On!!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
A win is a win, but ....
Some thoughts after watching the Trojans outlast Arizona in an old fashioned, offensive shootout:
Barkley was sharp, Woods and Lee were outstanding, and SC needed all of the 48 points to put away Nick Foles and Arizona. Offensively, SC played very well, limited its mistakes, and didn't turn the ball over.
Defensively...well, something needs to be done and QUICK! The pass "D" is ineffective and can't seem to stop anyone. Foles is a fine QB, but SC's pass defense is poor, plain and simple. Coverage seems to be a major problem. I'm more than worried about what Stanford, Oregon and Washington might do to this defense, if it does not improve significantly.
Two other thoughts...the special teams continue to improve, something that was a major weakness last year.
Secondly, it seems that stupid penalties and other mistakes appear to be on the decline. I pray this continues.
Andre Heidari is providing a big boost with his field goal kicking and deep kickoffs into the end zone. SC needs major upgrades in pass coverage. This continues to be a significant weak spot.
The week off should allow for some serious work on the team's shortcomings, particularly with road trips to Cal and ND coming up.
Barkley was sharp, Woods and Lee were outstanding, and SC needed all of the 48 points to put away Nick Foles and Arizona. Offensively, SC played very well, limited its mistakes, and didn't turn the ball over.
Defensively...well, something needs to be done and QUICK! The pass "D" is ineffective and can't seem to stop anyone. Foles is a fine QB, but SC's pass defense is poor, plain and simple. Coverage seems to be a major problem. I'm more than worried about what Stanford, Oregon and Washington might do to this defense, if it does not improve significantly.
Two other thoughts...the special teams continue to improve, something that was a major weakness last year.
Secondly, it seems that stupid penalties and other mistakes appear to be on the decline. I pray this continues.
Andre Heidari is providing a big boost with his field goal kicking and deep kickoffs into the end zone. SC needs major upgrades in pass coverage. This continues to be a significant weak spot.
The week off should allow for some serious work on the team's shortcomings, particularly with road trips to Cal and ND coming up.
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