After an embarrassing loss last weekend, the
12th-ranked USC Trojans get back to action this weekend against Pac-10 foe
Arizona State.
USC was still in contention for a national title heading into last weekend's
clash with Oregon, but the Trojans were crushed by the Ducks, 47-20. That
beating dropped Pete Carroll's team to 6-2 overall, including 3-2 in league
play. The setback halted a four-game winning streak and could prevent the
Trojans from winning their eighth straight Pac-10 title.
Arizona State has suffered back-to-back losses to fall to 4-4 overall,
including 2-3 in conference action. The Homecoming crowd at Sun Devil Stadium
watched in disappointment last weekend as ASU fell to California by a 23-21
final. The Sun Devils play Oregon next week, so this two-game stretch is
brutal to say the least.
USC has won its last nine meetings with Arizona State to take a 16-9 advantage
in the all-time series between the teams.
Freshman Matt Barkley completed 21-of-38 passes for USC against Oregon for 187
yards with two touchdowns and one interception. While those numbers are
certainly solid, the offense simply didn't do enough to hang with the Ducks.
Joe McKnight rushed for 95 yards on 15 carries, and Damian Williams made nine
catches for 82 yards and a score.
"You never think about this stuff," said a dejected Barkley after the loss.
"Tonight was not one of these nights. Before this season I never thought this
could happen".
Defensively, USC was downright dreadful against the Ducks. Oregon rolled up 31
first downs and 613 total yards against the Trojans, including 391 rushing
yards at a clip of 8.0 yards per attempt. Oregon scored five offensive
touchdowns in the game, four of which came on the ground.
"We couldn't keep up with the fast paced offense of Oregon, and we couldn't
settle the ball," coach Carroll said. "It was a real mess with the running
game, they out ran us and we couldn't make the tackles."
USC is scoring 30.0 ppg this season to go along with 426.2 total ypg. Of the
28 touchdowns scored by the offense this season, 18 have come via the ground
attack that is gaining 5.4 yards per carry. McKnight has rushed for 712 yards
and seven touchdowns, and Allen Bradford has contributed 397 yards and four
scores. As for Barkley, he has connected on 59.3 percent of his throws for
1,727 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. Williams paces the
receivers with 43 grabs for 607 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, the Trojans are allowing 19.1 ppg and 331.9 total ypg. They are
limiting opponents to 3.4 yards per rushing attempt, but they have only
intercepted three passes this season. Safety Taylor Mays remains the most
overrated player in college football. Sure, he leads the team with 57 tackles,
but he never makes impact plays, the type expected of a "star".
Against Cal last weekend, Arizona State generated a mere 82 rushing yards on
26 attempts and finished with 329 total yards. Three touchdowns were scored by
the Sun Devils, including one scoring pass from quarterback Danny Sullivan,
who finished with 244 yards. Unfortunately, Sullivan was intercepted twice,
key to the setback. Cameron Marshall rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown on 16
carries to lead his club.
California is loaded with talent in the backfield, so the fact that ASU
limited the Golden Bears to 57 rushing yards on 30 carries was extremely
impressive. Unfortunately, the Sun Devils yielded 351 passing yards and two
touchdowns through the air. A total of 408 yards were permitted, and while two
takeaways were generated, the overall play of the defense simply wasn't good
enough.
"It's just hard because our guys played hard the whole game, and unfortunately
we let them have a couple of plays there at the end," said ASU head coach
Dennis Erickson.
Looking ahead to this weekend's game, ASU linebacker Mike Nixon doesn't feel
like motivation will be a problem.
"I don't think I'll have to say anything to get up for USC," said Nixon. "We
all know what they're capable of and what they've done in the past eight to 10
years. I don't think we'll have a problem next week."
Arizona State is scoring 26.0 ppg this season while gaining 356.0 total ypg.
Tailback Dimitri Nance is questionable for this weekend's tilt with a shoulder
injury, and he will certainly be missed if he can't play. Nance has rushed for
472 yards and five touchdowns. As for Sullivan, who has three rushing scores,
he has completed 54.2 percent of his throws for 1,658 yards and eight passing
touchdowns with seven interceptions. Chris McGaha is tops among the receivers
with 40 catches for 495 yards and three scores.
Opponents are scoring 19.0 ppg against Arizona State, which is allowing 296.0
total ypg. The Sun Devils are permitting 80.1 rushing ypg at a clip of 2.6
yards per carry, numbers that any defensive coordinator would be proud of. The
pass defense is yielding 215.9 total ypg, but 13 interceptions have been
registered. Nixon leads the team with 49 total tackles, and he has posted
three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
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