SIDELINE VIEW: USC Defense Leads the Trojans to 30-14 Victory Over Washington St.
Last season USC rolled into Pullman (WA) and stomped the Washington Cougars 45-14 behind an impressive performance by freshman QB Jaxson Dart. We’d learn after the game Dart endured excruciating pain from a torn meniscus suffered in the first half.
Washington St. was dealing with a lot of drama with head coach Nick Rolovich’s refusal to get a Covid-19 vaccination, so that wasn’t helping issues for the Cougars. They finished the season with a 7-6 overall record and 6-3 in Pac-12 play. Rolovich was finally fired in mid October.
Although Washington St. played Oregon close at home a few weeks back and appeared to be much improved since last season, so are the Trojans. In fact, no program improved itself more than USC this offseason and props to Lincoln Riley for pulling off. I had my doubts he could turn the program around as fast as it appears he has through six games. Biggest test of the season comes next week at Utah.
Much of the success this season is the result of the defensive effort from the Trojans. Alex Grinch was widely criticized by Oklahoma fans, but we’ll assume what his defense has accomplished thus far in 2022 has pleasantly surprised USC fans.
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch
A friend of mine who covers Oklahoma assured me in December Grinch was a very good coach. One of the biggest issues for the Sooners defensively last season was the poor play from the defensive backs. That weak link was a huge issue behind the defensive struggles for Oklahoma a year ago. Grinch’s defense apparently played solidly in 2021 for the most part, except for the secondary.
My good friend also assured me Donte Williams coaching the cornerbacks for Grinch was a huge upgrade from what Oklahoma had a year ago. We should note Roy Manning was coaching DBs at Oklahoma last season, but he’s coaching Outside Linebackers at USC. His guys are also playing exceptionally well this season despite Romello Height suffering a season-ending injury last month.
Other than a few issues early in the season and few plays here and there, Donte Williams’s guys have played extremely well this season. They certainly did last night in my opinion. And the USC defense is a few key men down, too. Last night the Trojans were without LB Shane Lee and Calen Bullock for the entire second half.
Marc Kulkin and I expected a three touchdown victory for USC on Saturday, but the Trojans fell a bit short of that with a 16 point win. Nevertheless, USC was never in any danger of losing Saturday night at the Coliseum.
