5 Things: USC 30, Washington State 14
WeAreSC’s Erik McKinney, Greg Katz and Marc Kulkin provide their 5 Things from USC’s 30-14 win against Washington State. That includes their Player of the Game, Play of the Game, Expectation Met, Surprise and Biggest Takeaway.
5 Things from USC 30, Washington State 14
Player of the Game
All three selections come on the defensive side of the ball. The USC defense pitched another second-half shutout. And the Trojans held the Cougars to their lowest point total of the season. USC finished with five sacks and nine tackles for loss, playing the entire game without team captain and starting linebacker Shane Lee. The Trojans also lost starting safety Calen Bullock to a targeting ejection partway through the first half.
Play of the Game
There was a play that looked like it could change the trajectory of the game, depending on how the Trojans handled it. And there was another that will certainly make the highlight reel for the USC offense.
Expectation Met
Anyone who thought Washington State would come in and put up a fight was treated to a tight first half that went into the locker room with the game still very much in doubt. Both teams brought defenses that had excelled at creating sacks, tackles for loss and pressure on the quarterback. There was a belief here that the USC front would continue that against the Cougars. And Travis Dye met an expectation as he was again impressive in carrying the load for the Trojans.
Top 10
- 1Hot
Ben Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit asks for prayers
- 2
USC makes QB change
Trojans to start Jayden Maiava
- 3
Dabo denied vote
'They done voted me out of the state'
- 4
Dana Holgorsen is back
Former Houston, WVU coach joins Nebraska staff
- 5New
Treyaun Webb out
Florida RB undergoes surgery
Surprise
For the first time this season, the USC defense did not record a turnover. Though, the Trojans did force an extremely important turnover on downs during a pivotal moment in the third quarter.
Biggest Takeaway
It’s another week of wondering what a game says about USC’s readiness to take on Utah. That’s the final time this will be the case as the Utes are up next for the Trojans. Another takeaway from the panel is that this USC defense might just be pretty darn good.
