4th and 1

Pete was, um, wrong. There was two bad calls. First, we should have taken the three. Second, if you are going to go for it, don't run a long forming play as the defense is shooting the gaps on 4 & 1. Don't we need Stafon in that situation? McKnight needs a hole for a 1st down, Johnson or Washington (or Bradford) can power their way for a first down.

What is with the aversion with the FG? We could have used an extra one against Texas, no? (Lienart stopped short on 4 & 1).

We would have momentum on our side at that point.

I did not have a problem with going for it. This is one thing that separates college from pro (yawn) ball. You are playing a great offensive Oregon team, and field goals are not going to win the day.

I will admit, however, that I have not seen a play like that on a crucial 4th and short situation. It was interesting. And of course we would have been laughing in our beer, and regaling about the genius of SC football if it had worked. But the percentage move would have been to trust your linemen, and just power-jam the ball off tackle or guard for that one holy yard.

Getting 0 points after recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff on the 18 yd line was a big negative - any points at all would have taken the crowd out for a while.

There were a lot of bad calls by the refs today. But Pete needs to stick with one back for an extended time to give him some reps and get into the flow of the game. It seemed like every series, there was a new guy taking handoffs. Why not go with Chauncey until he needs a breather? Then stick in Stafon for a long stretch. Then try Joe? It looks as if the backs are all looking at the sideline after every carry to see if they should come out - they should be hustling back to the huddle and congratulating their linemen for good blocks, or getting props for a nice run from his teammates. There's a lot wrong right now, but this could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for not only later this season, but for next season as well. This is the time that talent AND character step to the front.

OC wanted

It amazes me about the inability to get in sync offensively. We averaged 3/carry today - and lets face it, that will not get it done. The issue I see is our lost battle up front on O, passing plays appear to take a long time to develop and it appears that Defenses can predict what we're trying to do next. Hats off to Stewart and Dixon, they wanted to win today and you could see it. Our offense looks scared, it looked like once the pocket collapses, our receivers stand still with their hands out. Our D spent looked tired (SC actually won the time of possession battle, but it sure didnt feel like it.

My questions are, where do we go from here? How involved is PC in play calling on O (might be too involved)? Why do we turn the ball over so much? Are we ever going to try to get larger chunks of yards in the passing game early in the game? Have we forgotten the quick slant? Wouldnt it be nice to see Bradford run a wheel route? Is Stafon hurt worse than theyre telling us? Can we begin to score touchdowns after turnovers? Can we score at all after turnovers? Who is going to lead this team? Or better yet, who is going to rally around the leadership of this team? How many more drive stopping or drive extending penalties can we make? I could go on forever - I hope the taste of losing motivates these kids to come out guns a blazin - b/c right now, we could lose more games if we dont get right on O.

Hang in there Trojan Faithful - we'll straighten this ship!

I agree with Jay#42. The problem is evident with 4th and 1. Except it began with 4th and 1 in Pasadena in 2006. Where is the next Norm Chow?

Pete is a God to me, as he should be to all real Trojans, and I understand his thinking here. And, this is why he needs to realize that, as a coach, you are STILL learning. Our arrogance on 4th down was great during the Leinart/Bush/Chow era, but given our current situation, Pete needs to swallow is pride and ADJUST his philosophy. Going for it in field goal range on 4th down in tight games is arrogant, and given our struggles on offense this year, reckless.

Consider this, had we kicked a FG here, then the 4th qtr Ausberry TD catch makes the game 24-19. At that late stage, we would have gone for 2. 50/50 if we make it or not, but if we did, then Sanchez had us in position to tie the game 24-24 at the end. Not taking the early FG on 4th down in a TIGHT game was ludicrous. Taking the FG at the end of the 1st half agaist Stanford would have won that game, as well.

PC, you are God to me, but please swallow some pride, continue to learn, and adjust your philosphy to take easy points in a tight game. PLEASE!

I am NOT defending SS. By the same token give SS the benefit of the doubt, WHY? Simply put PC rules, he's the HC, he's the bossman. The second point stated by most of you on this thread:
A promising or prominent OC will NOT come to USC as long as that trend continues. In other words why would an OC design a play just to be shut down by PC?
Thank you

My only problem with going for it with 4th and one is why use the empty backfield? It just eliminates blockers.

There was no one over the left guard and center. Sanchez could've walked to the 8 yard line. I saw it with mine own eyes, I was at the game. Those mfers in Oregon yell at the top of their lungs (a lot of em anyway) on every gd play. Annoying as hell, but effective, disconcerting for the guest team.

Ted...100% correct! I was screaming at the TV for a QB sneak. I don't know if Sanchez had the green light to call an audible, but that was the perfect time. Another reason for Sark to be upstairs.

Ted and HS are correct. You could see it from your TV sets. Mark could have fell over the line for the 1st down. There was no one over the center. Im not sure if he had the option to check off on that play but the QB sneak was wide open.

Totally agree. With an empty backfield anyone could see they were going to hand it to McKnight when he went in motion. That play took way to long to develop and it is very hard to run a speed sweep with that much penetration. Pete, man the F up and run right at them or take the FG. Any score would have taken the crowd out of the game and given SC some much needed momentum. Getting nothing set the tone for the entire game and got the crowd even more fired up. Shame on you Pete for such a lame call...

JF

RE: Texas 4th and 1...this would have been a punt if they had kicked the field goal in the 1st qtr on 4th and 1.

RE: Stanford 4th and 1 if we would have kicked fiedl goal we would be in OT.

When does the lunacy end? There have just been too many points left on the field in crucial games.

I SECOND THE OC WANTED!
If Cam Cameron doesn't make it in the pros Carroll should go after him!