Another Stunner
USC scored 31 points tonight but failed to put Washington away, most noticeably on that missed pass from Matt Barkley to David Ausberry in the end zone.
But what is inexcusable is the fact it ran the Wildcat and did not utilize Dillon Baxter. He is the best-suited back for the Wildcat and can run or pass effectively out of it.
Where was he? ``I don't know what to say,'' Baxter said after the game.
Perhaps Kiffin was thinking he didn't Baxter's dual threat to beat WA & he didn't want to show SU Baxter in the wildcat?
Baxter is in the doghouse for being a knucklehead this year. Kiffin blew this by calling a pass on his last third down. Bradford would have gotten the job done, and if not, run 50 seconds off the clock.
We saw terrible game management tonight. It was third and about four on the Washington 25 yard line and you pass and then kick? This isn't a punt/pass/kick competition, this is a football game. You have to run it down their throats and put them out right there. Everyone in the Coliseum could see our defense wasn't going to stop Locker. They hadn't done it all night. And you can't rely on their receivers dropping every pass in sight.
I put the blame for this loss on Kiffin's shoulders. He was playing not to lose near the end of the game and they lost. The football gods demand a loss when a team plays not to lose, and they served one up for Washington tonight. Kiffin's got to get this team playing with passion - flying to the football on defense and taking no prisoners on offense. This team is flat and they need some inspiration and better coaching to overcome it.
Get with the freaking program, Lane. The NCAA can't sanction the endzone, but you've got to be ballsy enough to try get there!
First of all Tyler only avg. 4.3 overall running the ball which is mediocre with no ability to throw out of the wildcat formation. He did not run wide on any of the snaps, and once couldn't they have gotten the ball to the man in motion. Baxter has the better speed and ability to throw as an option so something is going down with him and the coaching staff it appears. Maybe watching at home on the big screen missed something, just asking if Havilli touched the ball in the second half?
Quick, someone check it Baxter's phone is being used to call across town...