Riley can say all he wants about practicing well, but the proof comes on the field – and on the scoreboard – on game day. And right now, harsh as it might sound, these Trojans don’t seem that much more disciplined than those of the Clay Helton era.
It's not a good look for USC's defense when Utah's starting strong safety rushes 9 times for 68 yards and catches 5 passes for 149 yards and 2 TD's. Utah was so banged up at those two positions, Sione Vaki had to play on offense. Heard about this on Atlanta soerts talk radio this afternoon.
Arizona State got shut out by Fresno State the week before the SC game, then drove the SC defense crazy and had the ball in the 4th quarter with a chance to take the lead.
Colorado couldn't run the ball on anyone -- until SC came to Boulder and they ran for 193.
Arizona had problems on O till they arrived in the Coliseum. Those suddenly vanished.
Utah's offensive problems -- before Saturday -- were well documented. And they gained 500 yards with a backup QB, a converted safety at RB/WR, and who knows what else.
You want to improve your offensive numbers, call the Grinch.
He was 5-2 as interim coach in 2015 before Pat Haden declared it was senseless to search for a new head coach because the guy he wanted was right here. After being named permanent head coach, Helton promptly got blown out in the CCG and lost a bowl game.
To get to 17-5, Plaschke starts the clock on Helton's record with 2016, when Helton was already either 0-2 or 5-4, depending on whether you count the record as interim coach.
It's not a good look for USC's defense when Utah's starting strong safety rushes 9 times for 68 yards and catches 5 passes for 149 yards and 2 TD's. Utah was so banged up at those two positions, Sione Vaki had to play on offense. Heard about this on Atlanta soerts talk radio this afternoon.
According to Plaschke, Helton and CLR had the same record after their first 22 games: both were 17-5.
Same soft play, same lame excuses.