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.
<!----><!---->With a few players returning from injuries, running backs coach Todd McNair has "The Stable" at full capacity for fall camp. In this video feature on the Trojan backfield we hear from McNair as well as tailbacks Joe McKnight and Stafon Johnson and fullback D.J. Shoemate... more »
What’s up, Trojan Fans! Welcome to the first ever TrojanWire Running Game Diary. The 901 Bar and Grill was gracious enough to let me watch the game here, since the VS channel isn’t available with the university housing cable package ($50,000 a year and I can’t even watch all the away games???).
Tailback Joe McKnight said he expects to play Saturday but the coaches are less certain and will wait until tomorrow's practice to make a decision. ``If he can do stuff tomorrow and Friday, it will be a bonus for us if he can play,'' offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said. ``We're hoping,'' running backs coach Todd McNair said. Stanley Havili... more »
Poll: Which RB should get the most carries for USC? “I can’t talk today. I might say anything.” C.J. Gable and Joe McKnight were kidding. Sort of. Before I even approached the two running backs they were declining interview requests from an SID. With most everyone giving their two cents on USC’s running back rotation — Coach Pete Carroll... more »
USC will not name a starting tailback. It will just depend on the script which back starts the on the first play. Of course, we expect Joe McKnight to be heavily involved whether or not he is on the field for the first play. After the first 15 plays, however, the plan is to play whoever has a hot... more »
At Pete Carroll's weekly press conference, I asked about young offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian [partial clip above]. Later on, I followed up with some of the questions that readers from this blog have had in comments and emails. Carroll made it clear that he's confident in his staff. In his assessment, the real issues have been injuries, inexperience, and... more »
Assistant coach Todd McNair said he's had no problem with the performance of starting tailback Chauncey Washington this season. Washington averages 4.4 yards per carry but McNair said it’s a deceiving statistic. ``If you take out short-yard and goal-line runs, it’s about 5.6 yards,’’ McNair said. ``I’m happy with the way he’s running.’’... more »
Mark Saxon, OC Register Stafon Johnson was supposed to be running a play with the service team one day last fall, but he decided to sit this one out. Coaches got in his face and yelled, but he wasn’t budging. Another tailback in a black shirt eventually had to get in the huddle. It wasn’t the greatest boost to... more »
(Photo credit: Terry Pierson / The Press-Enterprise)
Pete Carroll is looking for a big tailback.
Sure, Stafon Johnson, C.J. Gable and Emmanuel Moody have all been impressive, but none of them weighs over 210. And Chauncey Washington is still nursing a hamstring.
Step up Allen Bradford. He played linebacker in high school, and was recruited by USC as a safety. But now he is lining up in the backfield.
Wearing #21, LenDale's old number, running backs coach Todd McNair said, "He's like the other No. 21, only with more violence."
In one of his first charges up inside against the first team, Bradford got underneath and stood up 247-pound Rey Maualuga in a violent collision, which Maualuga often gets the best of.
"I'm going to have an impact," Bradford said. "It's either hit or be hit."
First there was Reggie, LenDale, and Chauncey. Now there is a new trio in Stafon, C.J., and Moody.
Todd McNair talks about their unique running styles:
"Moody is very sudden, very, very quick. Similar to No. 5 (Bush) in his start-and-stop ability. Same mentality, too. He looks to get it outside in a hurry, is looking to rip off some big runs."
"Stafon Johnson seems to be a more polished inside runner, a lateral, slalom runner. He's moving faster than he seems. He has sort of a smooth, slow gait, but he's moving."
"C.J. is a slasher, more in the Hershel mode. He's more slightly built at 190 (pounds), but he can run with power."
And now freshman Allen Bradford has switched from safety to tailback. In his first carry, he ripped off a 40-yarder down the sidelines.
Stafon Johnson had team-highs of 13 carries and 119 yards.
"Stafon has great vision, strong legs and low center of gravity," running backs coach Todd McNair said.
Carroll was impressed with his freshman receivers too, particularly Vidal Hazelton and Travon Patterson.
Patterson had four catches for 76 yards and a 28-yard kick return.
Hazelton made two catches for 28 yards and returned one kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. He also provided one of the afternoon's best highlights, running a slant route, spinning off a linebacker, making the catch and putting a stiff-arm on a safety for some extra yards.
C.J. Gable also returned a kick for 100 yards to go along with 8 carries for 64 yards.
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