Been pondering how USC failed so poorly in the red zone. Failed so poorly in the 3rd q. How Garbers went 11-11 for 167 yards or so in the 3Q and UCLA lost. Then I looked at the drive charts.
USC won the game of field position. Bo Schembechler would be so proud. The USC punter pinned UCLA inside their own 10 repeatedly. So if UCLA threw to Sturdivant as they did late, completing a 30 yard pass? It was on the 31, not the USC 30-40. Meanwhile the ucla punter at a critical time delivered a 24 yard punt. Giving USC the ball on the 50. Czaplicki of USC and the UCLA both punted 3 times USC's guy? 47 yards a kick and downed I think all 3 inside the UCLA 10. One at the 8 and another I can remember at the 1. Punting is winning. Said Skippy. UCLA kid averaged 35. That is just brutal. And that's 36 yards difference there.
Field position part 2-UCLA committed 8 penalties for 65 yards and USC 2 for 25. So in addition to the 36 differential on punts, USC got 40 on penalties received. 75 yards there.
In addition, Lemon returned 3 kicks for 88 yards. UCLA had 1 for 30 yards. Neither team returned any punts. But in a tight game, a 133 yard differential makes a big difference. Also I don't know how many of those +6 penalties for UCLA resulted in auto or marked off first downs, but it's not just the yards there. It's the free play, the first downs all of it. UCLA really hurt themselves.
UCLA had several chances to win this game
10-9-near end of 3. Garbers is sacked by DT Clifton, a rarity for USC. At the USC 10. And UCLA false start before that at the 5. TD drive turns into a FG. Feels like momentum for USC, life, and as it happens, the last points Bruins would score.
So it's 13-9, ominous score, but not 17-9 . Lemon delivers a great KO return and UCLA adds 15 to it w a penalty. Suddenly USC is on the UCLA 40. Stupid personal foul by Mason Murphy (lot of mental errors this year) costs USC a shot at being on the 29 and USC winds up punting 44 yards from their 45. Yes, key play. 44 yard punt to the UCLA 1.
13-9 11:06 Garbers is 11-1 and can put the game away with this drive. First pass heaves to Sturdivant who beats Covington of USC. 25 yard pass seems longer because the ball hung in the air and went cross field. And from deep in the end zone. Either way. Strange to have such a big play and only be on the 25. Two completions later Garber is sacked by Easton Arnold and UCLA kid punts for 25 yards. USC has the ball on the 50 AGAIN
Maiava to Lemon, well designed play not why you think. USC has Hudson outside Ford inside and then puts McRee in motion. They know it will be 3 on 2 and UCLA knows the ball is going to Lemon. Strong side corner starts by going with Hudson but hands him off and comes up to engage Ford. The strong side safety engages mc Ree. Hudson is running alone on the strong sideline and the Bruin weak side safety is hauling butt over there to help. Why is this brilliant? Because USC usually has Branch over there, who sucks at 165 as a blocker. Might even have put Robinson over there, who is weak and soft. or Lane who tends to be a me first guy. Nope. They had Ford, a big WR who early in his career projected to TE and Mc Ree. A very Harbaugh two TE type look. In fact, this was a 12 personnel package. Ford and Mc Ree as the TE and Hudson and Lemon as the wides. By having those two out there, the safety and corner were not getting near Lemon and they just engaged and waited for him to make a move. Too late. Threw it. Even stranger. He threw it with gloves on. Big white receiving mitts. Ball ends up on the 6?
First down, USC scores their TD and Maiava illustrates for the best moment this game why USC went with him. Hoped for plays like this. Escaped, rolled left, threw across his body and Lane made his one catch for the winning points. 16-13 7 min left.
UCLA 4 and out-loses ball on own 34. Being stuffed at the line is kudos to D'Anton Lynn and staff. I am not sure it's a bad call for UCLA, especially since they held USC to a FG. Still had a shot. Convert that and they can march a few more first downs and tie it. More and win it
USC kicks a FG, UCLa gets ball back with 2:05 left and plenty of time to win. 25 yard line. 4 straight INC from a QB who had last missed a pass midway through the 2Q.
What stands out to me?
UCLA sack and penalty when on the USC 5 making it 13-9 only.
USC punts to the 1. UCLA w the ball and 13-9 lead can't sustain, followed by 24 yard punt
The Lemon trick play and then Maiava scramble. Suddenly USC is in front
USC stuffs 4th and 1
Much maligned USC D stops hot QB 4 straight INC
And just like that an ugly game is won. Sure is a game of timing.
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