USC vs UCLA Overall Team Stats

2 blind sqirrels in a death match over a nonexistant nut

no USC turnovers, just like I wanted

I continue to be surprised at how much holding is allowed by CBs on WRs. It went both ways, but that really impacted the game and made it difficult to score. Not to mention Riley kept forcing a passing TD rather than run it in each time we were in the red zone.

Red zone scoring kept this game close. 3 first downs on UCLA’s 4 yard line and 3 field goals. Kept the game closer than it should be.

Turnover free contest. DAnton Lynn has done an incredible job in one year at USC. They are getting better each game. Sadly, as has been the case each of Riley's 3 years, the offense is regressing as the season ages.

Penalties were big last night. 4th down is all Lynn. When UCLA got the ball back with 2:20 left on what, the 30? I thought oh boy, lots of time. I had visions of Nebraska last week and them marching down field. Or worse just throwing is up in the air and Sturdivant coming down with a 40-50 yard pass.

For them to fire blanks on first and second down was huge. I forget the 3rd down play but making them burn last time out before 4th was big. I remember noticing how with the INC and the 2 minute TO and the TO they called that despite running 2 plays, the time was still at about 1:55. Which reminds me. When a play is run with 2:01 left does the clock freeze at 2:00 or do they let the play go, and run it to 1:55 or so and call the 2 minute To then? I assume the latter?

on the 4th down play Sturdivant was on the right side deep but it looked like he had given up on the play. Not sure why. Just standing there. Garbers had a moment. Had time. I think if he throws it low the TE had the DB body blocked but by elevating it there were a lot of hands in the mix. Maybe he was trying to get it to Sturdivant. Not sure. Also can't discount that Sam Greene with 255 lbs of bad intentions was about to crunch Garbers and I don't think he had room to maneuver with the sideline there. And couldn't go backward because Greene at full speed would outrun Garbers changing directions. And obviously couldn't go forward into Greene. So maybe the impending impact of Greene forced that throw and it wasn't the one he wanted.

Credit to Lynn. And shame on Riley for cobbling together 351 yards of offense 7.2 YPA and 4-14 on 3rd. Horrible numbers.