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On Saturday, the USC football team fell 34-24 to archrival Notre Dame. It was a frustrating loss for the Trojans, who had plenty of opportunities to take control of the game, but simply could not do so.
What went well for the Trojans on Saturday, and what do they need to improved? Here are some positives and negatives from the game.
Let's start with the positives: The Trojans actually moved the ball fairly well. Quarterback Jayden Maiava had his typical one or two inexcusable throws, but otherwise, he had a solid day, throwing for 328 yards and two touchdowns.
USC has a kicker. Sayeri was money again, going three-for-three on field goal attempts.
In last week's victory over Michigan, USC was the more physical team. This week against Notre Dame, that was simply not the case, as the Irish dominated the Trojans along the lines of scrimmage. Notre Dame out-rushed USC 306-68. The Irish averaged seven yards per carry, while the Trojans averaged just over two.
Lincoln Riley had several highly questionable play calls on offense. Most notably, with the Trojans driving and trailing by three points in the fourth quarter, he called for a reverse that featured wide receiver Makai Lemon attempting to throw a pass, leading to a fumble. In addition, he had multiple instances of calling for passes on fourth down and short, which the USC did not convert.
The Trojans moved the ball fairly well, but could not finish drives. USC got the ball inside the Notre Dame 40 yard-line seven times on the game. On those drives, they managed just 13 points.
USC was 6-for-14 on third down conversions and 0-for-2 on fourth downs. The Trojans simply could not pick up a first down when they needed one, and it proved to be costly.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football falls to Notre Dame -- positives and negatives
Continue reading...
What went well for the Trojans on Saturday, and what do they need to improved? Here are some positives and negatives from the game.
Positive: Moving the ball
Let's start with the positives: The Trojans actually moved the ball fairly well. Quarterback Jayden Maiava had his typical one or two inexcusable throws, but otherwise, he had a solid day, throwing for 328 yards and two touchdowns.
Positive: Ryon Sayeri
USC has a kicker. Sayeri was money again, going three-for-three on field goal attempts.
Negative: Lines of scrimmage
In last week's victory over Michigan, USC was the more physical team. This week against Notre Dame, that was simply not the case, as the Irish dominated the Trojans along the lines of scrimmage. Notre Dame out-rushed USC 306-68. The Irish averaged seven yards per carry, while the Trojans averaged just over two.
Negative: Play calling
Lincoln Riley had several highly questionable play calls on offense. Most notably, with the Trojans driving and trailing by three points in the fourth quarter, he called for a reverse that featured wide receiver Makai Lemon attempting to throw a pass, leading to a fumble. In addition, he had multiple instances of calling for passes on fourth down and short, which the USC did not convert.
Negative: Finishing drives
The Trojans moved the ball fairly well, but could not finish drives. USC got the ball inside the Notre Dame 40 yard-line seven times on the game. On those drives, they managed just 13 points.
Negative: Third and fourth downs
USC was 6-for-14 on third down conversions and 0-for-2 on fourth downs. The Trojans simply could not pick up a first down when they needed one, and it proved to be costly.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football falls to Notre Dame -- positives and negatives
Continue reading...
