Orange County Register

Time to grade USC’s performance at Arizona State. One unit received a grade it can be proud of, and I’m sure you know which one. But hey, if you disagree with me, please cast your vote (as many time as you’d like).

OFFENSE

• The good: Tailbacks Joe McKnight and Allen Bradford combined for 145 rushing yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. … Receiver Damian Williams took a short pass and turned it into a spectacular 75-yard touchdown on the second play of the second half.
• The not-so-good: Williams’ touchdown was the only one the offense could muster. … The Trojans converted just 2 of 13 third downs and never drove beyond the Arizona State 29-yard line.
• The grade: D

Your turn:

DEFENSE

• The good: Safety Will Harris had two interceptions, including one he returned 55 yards for a touchdown near the end of the first half. … The defense had four takeaways in all — nearly half its season total (10) entering the game — and limited the Sun Devils to one touchdown.
• The not-so-good: The defense surrendered 23 first downs, including two fourth-down conversions in three attempts. … Cornerback Kevin Thomas, who otherwise had a strong game, let receiver Chris McGaha get past him for ASU’s lone touchdown.
• The grade: B-plus

Your turn:

SPECIAL TEAMS

• The good: After ASU scored its touchdown, cornerback Josh Pinkard blocked the extra-point attempt, the third blocked kick against Sun Devils kicker Thomas Weber in the past two meetings. … Thanks to an angled punt and Curtis McNeal’s tackle, Kyle Williams gained just 1 yard on ASU’s final punt return when the Sun Devils badly needed good field position.
• The not-so-good: The kick-coverage unit allowed Jamal Miles to slip free for a 44-yard return on the game’s opening kickoff. … Jordan Congdon came up well short on a 47-yard field-goal attempt in the second quarter.
• The grade: C

Your turn:

COACHING

• The good: Pete Carroll and Rocky Seto simplified the defensive game plan, a key factor in the unit’s improvement after a 2 1/2-game slump. … After Barkley threw an interception midway through the fourth quarter, Carroll and Jeremy Bates went exclusively to the run game, burning clock and putting their faith in the defense.
• The not-so-good: The offensive game plan seemed too simple at times, failing to free up Barkley or his perimeter weapons (aside from Williams’ touchdown). … Carroll’s decision to attempt the 47-yard field goal was questionable, even though Congdon was making them from there during warmups.
• The grade: C-plus

Your turn:

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: Not all Barkley’s fault, Carroll says
• USC football: Carroll questions rankings
• USC football: Additional injury updates
• USC football: Damian Williams might have high ankle sprain
• USC football: Trojans ahead of the Ducks? Huh?
• USC football: 5 observations from USC-ASU
• Complete wrapup of Trojans-Sun Devils
• USC football: Trojans 14, Sun Devils 9 (final)
• USC football: Trojans 7, Sun Devils 3 (halftime)
• USC football: What does Stanford upset say about Bates?

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