USC gets the bounce back win it needed by getting physical with the Bears.
Click here for the game recap and final stats.
Click here for Lane Kiffin's post-game presser.
Click here for the complete press conference with Matt Barkley, Silas Redd and T.J. McDonald.
Ground and Pound
A week after Stanford manhandled the Trojans offensive line, USC's reformed five controlled the line of scrimmage with senior captain Khaled Holmes (pictured) leading the way. Matt Barkley was not sacked, while Silas Redd (158 yards rushing) and Curtis McNeal (116 yards rushing) keyed the Trojans rushing attack, which combined for 296 yards on the ground. "I thought the game was won at the line of scrimmage today," said head coach Lane Kiffin. "Khaled being back makes a big difference for us. He really makes everything go." He also singled out Aundrey Walker for a strong game after having his starting spot challenged during the week.
Motoring
The USC defensive line had several meetings at the quarterback in a seven sack performance. Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron called it "night and day" having a healthy Wes Horton back in the starting lineup, but newcomers Morgan Breslin (3 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss) and Leonard Williams (2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss) stole the show. "They are guys that are just a work in progress," Horton said about his fast-rising teammates. "They are getting better week-in and week-out. They are playing like they are older, more veteran players. It's great to see."
The Turning Point
Statistically, USC dominated Cal by nearly doubling the Bears yardage, but the Coliseum was tense and quiet in the third quarter in a 17-9 game with Cal on the move. Senior captain T.J. McDonald made the play of the night by picking off Zach Maynard and changing the momentum. The Trojans secondary kept the Bears in front of them all night, and for the second straight season, the Bears could not get in the end zone in this match-up. "Execute violently and play mad," McDonald said was the game plan.
Points on the Field
The Trojans scored 27, but how many points could they have put up on the board if not for three turnovers, eight penalties and two first half drops on long passes. "Little things here and there," Barkley tried to explain what was missing. "We are trying to score as many points as possible, so hopefully we don't repeat the way we won today."
Security Blanket
In a surprise twist, Andre Heidari was able to return as the field goal kicker just three weeks after suffering a leg injury in the season opener. As one of the best kickers in the nation, he is another weapon for the USC offense, which needed two field goals (40 and 41 yards) to salt away the victory. He also makes Lane Kiffin's job a little bit easier. "It helps me a lot...as a play-caller to know your kicker's range. It was great to have him back."
Hair of the Dog
The mood in the locker room was quite a bit different tonight than after the Stanford loss. "We are extremely proud of our players," said Kiffin. "We have got to make sure that we appreciate effort like that. That very easily could have been a hangover game." Barkley was asked to compare his post-game feelings after Stanford and now Cal. "Different," he said with a smile.
Two-point Conversion...
Consistent-Lee
Marqise Lee has been the most dependable aspect of USC's offense. He has averaged 10 catches per game with six receiving touchdowns on the season, including two tonight.
Pac-12 Network
We see all the comments on the blog and Twitter about the Trojan Family struggling to see the game across the country. Again, we are sorry that Pac-12 Networks is not available on all TV distributors. The conference is working tirelessly to strike a deal with DirecTV and others, which will be a huge boon for Pac-12 exposure in the long run. Hopefully, the negotiations will end soon, and you can watch your Trojans every week.
Here is senior DE Wes Horton on the Trojans relentless pass rush in a much needed win...
Click here for the game recap and final stats.
Click here for Lane Kiffin's post-game presser.
Click here for the complete press conference with Matt Barkley, Silas Redd and T.J. McDonald.
Ground and Pound
A week after Stanford manhandled the Trojans offensive line, USC's reformed five controlled the line of scrimmage with senior captain Khaled Holmes (pictured) leading the way. Matt Barkley was not sacked, while Silas Redd (158 yards rushing) and Curtis McNeal (116 yards rushing) keyed the Trojans rushing attack, which combined for 296 yards on the ground. "I thought the game was won at the line of scrimmage today," said head coach Lane Kiffin. "Khaled being back makes a big difference for us. He really makes everything go." He also singled out Aundrey Walker for a strong game after having his starting spot challenged during the week.Motoring
The USC defensive line had several meetings at the quarterback in a seven sack performance. Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron called it "night and day" having a healthy Wes Horton back in the starting lineup, but newcomers Morgan Breslin (3 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss) and Leonard Williams (2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss) stole the show. "They are guys that are just a work in progress," Horton said about his fast-rising teammates. "They are getting better week-in and week-out. They are playing like they are older, more veteran players. It's great to see."
The Turning Point
Statistically, USC dominated Cal by nearly doubling the Bears yardage, but the Coliseum was tense and quiet in the third quarter in a 17-9 game with Cal on the move. Senior captain T.J. McDonald made the play of the night by picking off Zach Maynard and changing the momentum. The Trojans secondary kept the Bears in front of them all night, and for the second straight season, the Bears could not get in the end zone in this match-up. "Execute violently and play mad," McDonald said was the game plan.
Points on the Field
The Trojans scored 27, but how many points could they have put up on the board if not for three turnovers, eight penalties and two first half drops on long passes. "Little things here and there," Barkley tried to explain what was missing. "We are trying to score as many points as possible, so hopefully we don't repeat the way we won today." Security Blanket
In a surprise twist, Andre Heidari was able to return as the field goal kicker just three weeks after suffering a leg injury in the season opener. As one of the best kickers in the nation, he is another weapon for the USC offense, which needed two field goals (40 and 41 yards) to salt away the victory. He also makes Lane Kiffin's job a little bit easier. "It helps me a lot...as a play-caller to know your kicker's range. It was great to have him back."
Hair of the Dog
The mood in the locker room was quite a bit different tonight than after the Stanford loss. "We are extremely proud of our players," said Kiffin. "We have got to make sure that we appreciate effort like that. That very easily could have been a hangover game." Barkley was asked to compare his post-game feelings after Stanford and now Cal. "Different," he said with a smile.
Two-point Conversion...
Consistent-Lee
Marqise Lee has been the most dependable aspect of USC's offense. He has averaged 10 catches per game with six receiving touchdowns on the season, including two tonight.
Pac-12 Network
We see all the comments on the blog and Twitter about the Trojan Family struggling to see the game across the country. Again, we are sorry that Pac-12 Networks is not available on all TV distributors. The conference is working tirelessly to strike a deal with DirecTV and others, which will be a huge boon for Pac-12 exposure in the long run. Hopefully, the negotiations will end soon, and you can watch your Trojans every week.
Here is senior DE Wes Horton on the Trojans relentless pass rush in a much needed win...
I take MB7 at his word that he is not playing for stats, although I'm not sure Kiffin isn't. Kiffin's game plan the first 3 weeks looked like he was coaching to win the Heisman, assuming that winning the game would follow. Nope! Even today he stalled the running game momentum for passing stats-- (MB7's first int). Kiffin's no dummy--the Heisman's done...he knows how to win though...after 4-weeks of coaching for the Heisman, the offensive play calling will now be forced to become more balanced and as the horses are seriously let out of the stable (McNeal/Redd) and MB7 throws less side to side (there on to you), he will settle down and SC will do serious PK-12 damage.