USC's kicking game still needs some practice. Joe Houston missed two field goals against Arizona State, but redeemed himself with the game-winner 29-yarder.
Sorry for the delay in posting, but I was busy trying to wrap my mind around everything that transpired during USC’s crazy 34-33 win over Arizona State on Saturday night.
It had just about everything: missed field goals, two point conversions, interceptions in the end zone, timely sacks, and even blocked punts returned for scores.
And after all that, USC was finally able to come out of a close game with the win.
After losing to Washington and Stanford on last-second field goals earlier this season, the Trojans were finally able to kick a game-winner, as Joe Houston made a 29-yarder with 3:06 left to play.
It looked like USC was going to fall below .500 on another late fourth-quarter field goal, as Arizona State responded to Houston’s kick with a drive to put them in range. Sophomore running back Cameron Marshall hurdled the Trojans’ Torin Harris for a 26 yard gain but Sun Devils QB Steven Threet couldn’t get his team any closer than the Trojans’ 24 yard line. ASU kicker Thomas Weber missed from 42 yards, and on their final drive, with only a few seconds left, USC’s Nickell Robey snagged an interception to end the game.
It was a game that should not have come down to late fourth-quarter field goals. Embattled ‘SC kicker Houston, who has made just 6 field goals on 12 tries, missed two early in the game, from 27 and 35 yards. Had he made those kicks, the game may never have been close.
USC’s defense struggled again this week, giving up a 54 yard play on the first snap from scrimmage thanks to a tricky double pass play. Threet tossed the ball to Jamal Miles, who hit T.J. Simpson for 54 thanks to a big missed tackle by the Trojans’ Harris. Three plays later, the Sun Devils were in the end zone, and USC was in for a long night.
The Trojans’ first drive set the tone for many that came after it – it stalled. But when ASU got the ball back, the USC defense stepped up. Threet was almost intercept on his first down pass, then was sacked hard by Shareece Wright. With 3rd & 16, Threet rolled out of the pocket to avoid pressure but found no one except the Trojans’ brusing Armond Armstead, who met Threet with a hit that earned him a roughing the passer penalty. On the next play, Wes Horton came off the blitz and sacked Threet again to force the punt.
USC’s offense, unfortunately, couldn’t capitalize. They had first and goal at the 7 yard line, but ended up settling for an unsuccessful field goal try. Their next possession ended exactly the same way, as quarterback Matt Barkley was out of rhythm and Houston’s kick didn’t help him out.
The Trojans finally got on the board with a touchdown run by Marc Tyler, and when USC’s T.J. MacDonald blocked Arizona State’s next punt, it seemed like ‘SC was ready to roll. They had the ball with first and goal – and Barkley threw a horrible pass into the end zone for an interception.
As the Fox broadcasters said: “The Sun Devils haven’t been able to stop the Trojans, but the Trojans have been able to stop the Trojans.”
A ten-play drive just before halftime put the Trojans up 14-7 after Barkley threw to David Ausberry for a touchdown, but it should’ve been 20-7 at the half.
USC went three and out on the first possession of the second quarter, and the Sun Devils looked like they were going to tie it up until Malcolm Smith intercepted Threet and, with excellent blocks from his teammates, ran it back for a touchdown. Trojans’ backup quarterback Mitch Mustain connected with Ausberry for the two-point conversion to put the Trojans up, 22-7.
Unfortunately, the Sun Devils responded with a score of their own, but the Trojans came right back with another touchdown, over the middle from Barkley to Havili, to make it a 29-14 game.
It was a comfortable lead that lasted all of about two seconds, as ASU’s LeQuan Lewis evaded multiple tackles and returned the kickoff 102 yards to close the gap to 29-21.
After the flurry of scores, USC and Arizona State traded punts to end the third quarter.
ASU opened the fourth by sacking Barkley hard for ten yards. Two plays later, under pressure, Barkley threw to Ausberry, who let the ball hit off his hands and pop into the air and then into the hands of Omar Bolden, who returned the interception 66 yards for a touchdown. Threet was sacked by Jurrell Casey on the two-point conversion try so the Trojans maintained a two-point lead.
It didn’t last long, as USC was forced to punt and Arizona State, despite having a quarterback whose play fakes are laughably fake, benefited from a late hit out of bounds penalty on Marshall Jones. With first down at the 10 yard line, Threet threw a touchdown to Miles, but USC’s Tyron Smith blocked the extra point attempt and Harris returned it for two points, narrowing the Sun Devils’ lead to 33-31 and setting up Houston’s game-winning kick.
It was about time enough chips finally fell USC’s way in a close game, and it was good to see them on the winning side of a late-game field goal for once. It was also clear that the Trojans still have a considerable amount of work to do.
The defense has improved as the season has progressed but better tackling could’ve saved a number of long runs and even a few scores against ASU. The offense, the strongest unit at the beginning of the season, seems to have stalled. The running backs are fighting for yardage despite being battle-weary, but Matt Barkley has been unable to take charge of the offense and really make things happen in crunch time.
And special teams? When they were good, they were very good (blocking punts and PATs, making game-winning field goals) but when they were bad, they were horrid (giving up 100+ yard returns, missing field goals). It was the same story on the Sun Devils’ sideline as the two teams see-sawed back and for the entire game; the Trojans are just lucky they were on the upswing as time expired.
