The offense got off to a strong start, but they were inconsistent and fumbled more than they should have, but on the bright side, coaches opened up the playbook and allowed Matt Barkley to complete some deep passes. However this offense, and the receiving game in particular, needs to play better. Trojan fans eagerly await the return of the fastest receiver, Ronald Johnson, who suffered a shoulder injury in the scrimmage game in August.
This defense is impressive. They almost held the Cougars to a shutout if it were not for Aaron Corp's fumble late in the game. Defensive back Marshall Jones and defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo each suffered season ending injuries in this game. Injuries are part of the game, and this is why it never hurts to have depth like USC does. Pete Carroll and coaching staff "stockpile" talent, and given the current waves of injuries, this is when the depth is tested.
In case you missed it, Pete Carroll is back with another edition of USCRipsIt. This time he gives a lot of general sounding quotes previewing spring practice. There is some pretty good stuff in there, including the preliminary plan to move Jeff Byers over to center while Kris O'Dowd recovers from shoulder surgery. "The biggest thing Kristofer has to... more »
Offensive guard Zack Heberer did not see action against Stanford but assistant coach Pat Ruel said he expects to play him in the final two regular-season games.... more »
<!--start image--><!-- end image-->With just three days before Ohio State University comes to Los Angeles to play the No. 1 ranked Trojans of the University of Southern California, offensive line coach Pat Ruel knows there is plenty of work left to be done. But, using tools that no other team in the country is privy to, Ruel has put... more »
Your forecast for the day: surreal. Yeah. Catlab. Ohio State versus USC. Just back away and make sure there aren’t any sharp objects around, okay? We’ll call that a pick for USC to cover in a landslide, metaphorically speaking. The L.A. Times goes fretting nelly with the USC offense, who believe Ohio State’s defense will bring significant pressure on... more »
USC’s offense will see something a little unusual when it steps on the field at Virginia: a 3-4 defense. The 3-4 is less popular than the 4-3, and USC won’t face another one until the Cal game Nov. 8. The biggest difference is the way the defensive linemen attack: They go head-up on the offensive linemen, trying to clear... more »
Here's my feature on the state of the offensive line. Featured quote: ``In the end, we will not be the weak link," offensive line coach Pat Ruel said.... more »
I mocked the depth chart released last spring because it showed Charles Brown and Butch Lewis at left tackle while Alex Parsons started at right tackle. And it took about five minutes in training camp for Lewis to take over at right tackle. He and Brown are established starters right now. Pat Ruel said Nick Howell's been inconsistent so... more »
Long overdue props to the man with the mustache. Pat Ruel has groomed offensive line juggernauts Ryan Kalil, Deuce Lutui, Sam Baker, Fred Matua and Winston Justice.
His draw is comparable to that of Ed Orgeron and has helped him win many recruits outside his position.
Possibly something that Carroll rubbed off on him:
"Pete's like a beautiful woman," Ruel said after taking the job. "The closer you get, you better look out. He is very charismatic. He can smile and make you feel like a million dollars."
Everybody should be feeling like a million bucks if the Golden Ruel can get Jeff Byers and company opening those truck-sized holes we saw against Nebraska last year.
Father's Day has come and gone and I know you're already busy planning for next year. Here's something to file away. Assuming it happens around the same time in 2009, Dad might love a trip to the USC Flashback Fantasy Camp. In the video above, you get a taste of what it's like for participants to train under USC... more »
You may watch this little Friday night walk-through tradition, and wonder how USC ever wins any games at all. But O-Line coach Pat Ruel does have 34 years of experience in both college and the NFL, and has molded such talents as Sam Baker and Ryan Kalil, so he must be doing something right. And with a bunch of hefty o-liners added in this month's recruiting class, this power-walking tradition is only going to get fatter.
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