Season Report Card

FINAL RECORD: 8-5
OVERALL GRADE: C-

QUARTERBACK

Matt Barkley started out the season with 20 touchdown passes and only four interceptions in USC's first seven games then finished with six touchdowns and eight interceptions in the final six games. His sophomore season resembled the first one with forced passes and he still has something to prove.[EP

C-

RUNNING BACKS

Was it Lane Kiffin's fault that a tailback (Allen Bradford) gained 223 yards against Cal and 212 against UCLA but carried the ball only nine times in the five games leading up to season finale against the Bruins? At least Marc Tyer provided some classy moments when Bradford was in the doghouse.[EP

C+

WIDE RECEIVERS

Freshman Robert Woods quicky demonstrated he was a special player and amassed 224 yards receiving against Stanford. The problem was no one else offered memorable support. Even senior Ronald Johnson, expected to be the top receiver, disappeared at times.[EP

C

OFFENSIVE LINE

The unit ended the season blasting holes through UCLA's defense. But where were they most of the season? Kiffin ripped them unmercifully to the media and it was disgraceful how many false starts they committed throughout the season.[EP
D+

DEFENSIVE LINE
Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey performed valiantly and will likely turn pro. But for the most-hyped unit, there was certainly less actual production than expected. Armond Armstead registered one sack in the first 12 games. Nick Perry finished with four sacks, down from eight his freshman season.[EP

C+

LINEBACKERS
The coaching staff probably did a disservice to Devon Kennard when it forced him to play out of position at middle linebacker. He was impressive at outside linebacker last season and a natural defensive end. But the move also highlighted the lack of answers within the unit and struggles to find a leader.[EP
D+

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Experience was an issue here with four new starters from a year ago and only near the end of the season was their much cause for optimism. It was a big reason USC's defense allowed 400 yards per game, the most since records started being kept in 1955.[EP

D

SPECIAL TEAMS

Some great things were done here, especially blocking punts and field goals. But there was a lot of self-congratulation too, overlooking that kicker Joe Houston struggled and missed a kick to put Washington away. And that botched fake field goal at UCLA nearly proved costly.[EP

C+

COACHING

Who did USC upset this season? Arizona, which lost its final four games and went 7-5. Meanwhile, it lost to Washington, Oregon State and Notre Dame. Those teams were a combined 20-20. Lane Kiffin did not inspire his team to perform and struggled against spread-option teams. [EP

D