Generally, defenses are ahead of offenses during training camp. But so much has been made of USC’s experience at quarterback and even wide receiver that today’s scrimmage was a mild surprise. And here’s another surprise: Why is the offensive line struggling? Every starter returned from last season. Chad Wheeler is not 100 percent but he did not play every game last year because he got hurt. Damien Mama was held out today but he was not starting at the end of last year. So these are not viable excuses.
The offensive line was supposed to be an area of strength, especially compared to a year ago. But it is not so far. Meanwhile, defensive players like cornerback Iman Marshall, linebackers Porter Gustin, Michael Hutchings and Osa Masina, defensive ends Greg Townsend and Kevon Seymour, to name just a few, had good scrimmages.
And offensively, tailback Dominic Davis caught a TD pass, ran for a TD and returned a kickoff for a TD.
Dominic Davis had a great day. We have 12-13 more practices to get our O-Line ready. The offensive line is a an area that needs to gel and find its core rhythm. It won’t happen overnight. These guys will get going.
Scholarship reductions most likely
At ucla because of the face cupper and his staff, I heard
I wonder if Mora is going to protect his players again by being abrupt with the other coach at the end of the game?
Good observation. I too was wondering what is going on with the offense. I thought they were going to be monsters this year. Well, we still have time to get our act together. D looks real good though.
Could be they are scrimmaging against one of the nations best college defenses.
It’s good to hear that Greg Townesend Jr. is playing well and making plays in the backfield along with Porter Gustin. Sounds like the defense is coming along well.
I should probably add that Iman Marshall, Cam Smith, Chris Hawkins and Leon Mcquay all started with the first team defense. And also Scott Felix. Just an FYI.
Thats the way it should be except I like M Tell at safety with Hawkins – curious about Porter Gustin and Osa Masina, howd they do? Second team D?
Masina had a couple of nice tackles. Gustin had a QB safety sack. So they’re making their presence felt, and are pushing for playing time.
What an awesome team, people are nuts who think they lose more than three games this year, if that – I would like to see a few shut-outs from these guys
I agree. Our Defense looks like it finally has depth. And I mean playmakers. We’re looking tough so far through 2 weeks.
Deep competition at many spots..something we haven’t had for few years.In practices now players are going against waves of elite players, so it will translate to greater depth on field, players fresher, hungry to play and hopefully strong Close outs in 4th.
Too early to Tell (pun intended). SC has a very tough Pac12 schedule, so the losses can go either way. It will all be about the coaching and adjustments from the coaching staff during games.
I think Tell will play a lot with the combination of Hawkins and McQuay. I’m hearing nothing but good things about Tell. And that he is physical and is laying dudes out.
“Practice, we’re talking practice.”
Practice makes perfect. Has Mora fired Klemm yet?
Klemm’s got too much on Mora to get fired. He can cheat all he wants and Mora won’t do jack about it because Mora knew about it all along. The cheatin’ little gutties. Pigs in a pen.
Your probably right. I’m sure Mora was all for Klemm doing dirty work as long as Mora wasn’t mentioned
…which is why CuttySark still wants to hire him. Takes one to know one, right?
Sark wouldve hired him until this mess he’s got going. I wouldn’t touch him.
Klown U = mucho sanctions.
…I’m sure you know alllllllllllll about it, champ. #CheatUng
No, but 38 – 20 is still good.
You can hang that all you want. After we beat you this year I don’t want hear any kind of excuses or baptist sermon preaching.
SAS love ya, Kid but… what EXACTLY makes you think (or worse ‘believe’) Sark and his 5-star finesse squad has even HALF of what it will take to best Mora’s Bruins, man?
You’re down 6-draft picks, missing key pieces at DE, safety & TE, your OLine is butter soft, your QB is slow and hesitant, your locker room is full of “me” guys and your HC and AD are clearly sweating bullets. Across town is chocked full of depth, talented upperclass headhunters playing for a coach who could take yours out with a hard look.
So, seriously…Where exactly do you see a WIN, dude?
What exactly makes yoouuuu think that your program has taken a step forward. Besides beating USC. Your in the same boat as us. We have to beat UCLA. And you have to beat Stanford and Oregon. We’re right there with you. Pal, I know what it takes. We’ve done many times. No disrespect, but have you?
Not one factual observation in your rant–but alright… I like your posts so I’ll be a sport and refrain from spoiling your preseason hopes any further. See you and the 6-3 TroyBoys in Nov. #KeepHopeAlive.
You seem like a cool guy, but again what have you won in the history of bruin football to make these predictions. We have a better team front to back then last years . I know a bad, an average, a good, and great team. We’ve had them all. Take my word.
Well sas, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
Yogi Roth of the Pac 12 network was on 610 radio (whatever that is in LA) and said he thinks Jerry Nueheisel has won the starting QB job and Rosen isn’t ready to start. What have you heard?
That’s the dIff between USC and UCLA. The intense interest even a the practice level.
Porter was excellent..best at his position.
I’m hearing that Gustin is already the teams best pass rusher off the edge.
I was blown away when I heard that after yesterday’s scrimmage.. Gustin ,Incredible potential.. As much as I like watching an explosive offense, watching a shut down defense is as exciting.. With the PAC 12 teams, to come in and shut them down, would just be fantastic..
I hear you. We’re gonna need a defensive ready team when we play an offensive minded ASU on the road
Looks like Bryce Dixon’s case is moving forward. Tomorrow. Check out FightOn247com where it says bolts
Thanks !! I just checked it out.. A lot is happening on and off the field isn’t it…Opening Kick off can’t come fast enough…. Dixon’s lawyer seems to be quite resourceful.. Last week he seemed resigned to a time table.. This is new turn..
It’s crazy how this chick is still part of the team. Two short weeks and the season kicks off. Start the season already!
Not that anyone cares. But Wolf probably won’t speak of this, Mike Garrett got a standing ovation tonight at the Salute to Troy from everyone in attendance.
Were people really making a big deal out of the experience that SC is returning at WR? I think you may have made that one up. JuJu Smith has 54 career receptions and the next four returning guys have a combined 51 receptions, and that includes 10 by Adoree Jackson, who is technically a CB and 13 by Justin Davis at RB. Nelson Agholor had 14 less reception last year than the career total for everyone that SC has returning. 1 player in one season vs 6 players’ career totals. Stop making things up. Anyone who said that SC has a ton of returning experience at WR is either stupid or a liar.
Plus the Klown U O/L is ridiculously inept. Why are klown U defense freshmen riding roughshod over the O/L.
Sark is investigating.
…or just really, reeeeally rah-rah. Trojies are in trouble. The other sanction shoe has yet to drop. It’s Gonna Get Ugly. #CuttySark
The defense did really neutralize the offense today. I found myself questioning my preseason prediction of this team being highly ranked. The defense was in our offensive backfield all day. Our QBs were being flushed out of the pocket and were off target. Our running backs were being stuffed inside for most of the scrimmage.
sas, you are dead wrong about the standing O for Garrett. Way less than half the people stood up. He was fired immediately by Nikias when he became the President. He was one of the culprits in SC getting those stiff sanctions. Look who is coaching the offensive line, Bob ” who was fired by Okla. St.” Connolly a washed up asst.
The line misses a healthy Viane Talamaivio, and Chad Wheeler to complicate matters. Maybe Buck Allen helped make the line look better than it really was with his power running.
Way to much Common Sense for the Rah-Rah’s.
It took a news article by journalist Lindsey Thiry at the LA Times ,who wrote that Sark doesn’t care about defense and that UCLA practices tougher, for Sark to get his defense to be aggressive? Wow, that doesn’t reflect too well on USC coaching. But hooray for the defense and all the freshman. No one knows what a college football team will be like until 5 or 6 games into the season, and often at least until after one loss. It depends on how a team responds to adversity. Play the freshmen. Thiry for Coach or AD!
Defense will be better than expected.
Offense will be worse,because offensive line coach is a retreat reject.
Well I was not thrilled by our OL Coach hire… but it is par for the course.