Here are USC’s grades for the Washington game.
RESULT: No. 18 USC 40, WASHINGTON 17
RECORD: 8-2, 5-2
WEEK 10 GPA: B
QUARTERBACK
Matt Barkley will not jump into Heisman race off this performance.
C
RUNNING BACKS
USC found a breakaway tailback and it is diminutive Curtis McNeal.
A-
WIDE RECEIVERS
Robert Woods’ ankle is not getting better but Marqise Lee making up for it.
C+
OFFENSIVE LINE
Five sacks allowed this season and pushed Huskies around for 252 yards rushing.
B+
DEFENSIVE LINE
Even if it was Washington, five sacks a good day’s work.
B+
LINEBACKERS
Lamar Dawson transitioning to No. 55 standards with three tackles.
B-
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Steve Sarkisian did secondary a big favor with short passing game.
B
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kyle Negrete gave Oregon something to worry about on fake punt.
B+
COACHING
Turns out beating Steve Sarkisian and Nick Holt is pretty easy.
B-
You’re right, Wolf, that Brice Butler diving grab really sucked.
Scott, I believe you’ve become much more realistic and accurate in your posts. I’m glad to see that your doctor increased your medication. This is about how I would have graded the performance. Perhaps a little low on the LBs, secondary and coaching. UW’s TE (Jenkins) did have a decent first half, but was shut down in 2H. And, I think you need to give Nickell Robey more credit for shutting down Jermaine Kearse. Now, I just hope your doctor doesn’t have either “Conrad” or “Murray” in his name.
DEFENSE
The good: The defense recorded a season-high seven sacks, including 2.5 by DE Nick Perry and 1.5 by DT George Uko in his first career start. The unit held Washington, which had been converting 50 percent of its third downs, to 15.4 percent (2 of 13).
The not-so-good: The defense briefly let up in the third quarter, allowing a three-play, 57-yard touchdown drive. The back seven had trouble covering Huskies TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who caught four passes for 48 yards.
The grade: A-minus
Fake Punt and a kickoff return TD gets a B+. What does it take to get an A?
My god, that B- for Kiff must have made Scott puke in his mouth when he typed it. Oh to be a fly on the wall…