USC-Cal Report Card
Here's the grades for the rain game.
RESULT: NO. 12 USC 24, NO. 24 CALIFORNIA 17.
RECORD: 8-2, 5-2.
WEEK 10 GPA: C+.
QUARTERBACK
The rain made it difficult to pass the ball and John David Booty did a nice job finding the open receiver. The Trojans demonstrated they are unable to complete a deep pass in dry or wet conditions.
C
RUNNING BACKS
You could see the tailback rotation fizzle as Chauncey Washington punished Cal’s defense with 220 yards. Is this a one-week aberration or will it continue at Arizona State?
A
WIDE RECEIVERS
Not a lot of chances with the rain and Washington running rampant, but sophomore Vidal Hazelton is quietly mounting a threat to Patrick Turner as the top receiver.
C+
OFFENSIVE LINE
No sacks for John David Booty although he threw just 20 passes and somebody helped Washington. Some false starts and an almost costly holding penalty on the game-winning drive were the drawbacks.
B-
DEFENSIVE LINE
Cal tailback Justin Forsett (164 yards) was the best back the Trojans faced this year and served as a wake-up call to the defense that it still has some soft spots against quality competition.
C
LINEBACKERS
This was an even longer night for the this unit than the defensive line and USC coach Pete Carroll said it was matter of making poor reads on running plays. But LaVelle Hawkins’ 20-yard touchdown reception also exposed the linebackers’ weakness on pass coverage.
D+
DEFENSIVE BACKS
With two interceptions, everything else is almost secondary, no pun intended. They also held DeSean Jackson to five receptions, or was it Cal coach Jeff Tedford who did that?
B-
SPECIAL TEAMS
Wide receiver Ronald Johnson’s kickoff returns (35, 41 yards) finally gave the freshman an area to show his flashiness, especially because the Trojans seem unable to get the ball to him. The punt team kept the ball away from DeSean Jackson, thanks to Greg Woidneck’s smart punting.
B
COACHING
Great idea to tell Washington the night before the game to run harder. Why didn’t someone think of that a couple months ago? Carroll’s got USC in contention for another Rose Bowl, which is an accomplishment if you forget the 23 preseason polls that ranked USC No. 1.
C+
I know Scott says he doesn't read the comments. Not sure if I believe that or not, but yes, I will consider the Rose Bowl or Fiesta Bowl an acomplishment considering where we were sitting two weeks ago. The team is playing better and the conditions at Cal were nasty. A win at Tempe should be regarded as an accomplishment and then I would like to send Dorrell out of the Coliseum on December 1 never to return.
It's tough to give credit or blame with the conditions hurting both teams.
But at least Chauncey and RoJo built some confidence.
Fiesta and/or Rose would be fine with me after 2 losses before Halloween.
Please Ohio State, beat Michigan! I am so sick of the maize and blue!
I don't think playing tOSU would take anything away from the matchups with the Bucks in '08 and '09. Both fan bases have been wanting this matchup for a long time. 2nd only to a LSU-USC showdown perhaps.