By Gary Montgomery
Offensive Power – Redshirt Junior Zach Banner is starting at Right Tackle after undergoing hip surgery and is healthy for the first time in his USC career.
USC 52 Fresno State 13
After what had to be the longest week in USC history the 2014 Steve Sarkisian led Trojans’ football team took the field on Saturday afternoon against the Fresno State Bulldogs. Led by their third head coach in the 4 years since Pete Carroll’s departure, USC’s anxiety level had to be at a dangerous level.
Ironically, USC Athletic Director Pat Haden fell ill twice during the week before the game. The press release said Haden was merely feeling bad and everything is fine after his hospital visits. One can only wonder if Haden’s mysterious illness was somehow connected to the anxiety of the moment and the pressure associated with winning football games.
Particularly, in the wake of the Lane Kiffin debacle, Hayden was forced to unceremoniously dismiss the beleaguered head coach in mid-season shortly after pledging his unwavering support.
Since taking over for Mike Garrett in 2010, this is Haden’s third head football coach (ED Orgeron, Clay Helton, Sarkisian) in four seasons, with a combined record of 35-17. Not exactly a track record of successful hires.
Defensive Power – Junior Defensive End Leonard Williams anchors the Trojan defensive line. Williams had 3 solo tackles and 4 assists against Fresno State on Saturday.
After so much turmoil, Saturday’s debut had to weigh heavy on the entire USC Football program. For Fresno State it was its first opportunity to see what life after All American quarterback Derek Carr would look like. Carr was drafted by the Raiders in the second round and is now pegged to be the starter on Sunday. To say it didn’t go well is an understatement.
“Well obviously we didn’t come ready to play and beat an excellent team like USC. We got out-coached and out-played. I am disappointed but not discouraged. We’re not ready at this point to compete against a team like USC,” said Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter.
Nelson Agholor returned the opening kickoff 19-yards. After a 10-yard holding penalty was assessed, the new Sarkisian offense went to work. USC completed a 17-play, 90-yard drive in 6:15 to take a 7-0 lead over the Bulldogs and that was pretty much it. Before FSU could catch its breath the score was 24-0 and the Dogs were done.
“We couldn’t get off the field in the first half,” said Fresno free safety and former Banning High star Derron Smith. The Fresno State squad has fourteen Inland Empire players including former J.W. North star Aaron Peck starting at wide receiver. Peck was held to 1 catch for no yards gained.
HELD BACK – Former J.W. North Star Aaron Peck is the starting wide receiver for the Fresno State Bulldogs. The stingy Trojan defense held him to one catch on Saturday but Aaron’s big play ability will be a big part of the Bulldogs’ run for the Mountain West Conference title.
The USC defense held FSU’s offense to 157-yards rushing and 160-yards passing. The Bulldogs scored twice. Both touchdowns came on rushes of 1 and 2 yards respectively by running back Marteze Waller.
The 15th ranked Trojans basically ran circles around Fresno to the delight of the near sellout 76,037 fans. USC ran a Pac-12 record 105 offensive plays breaking the previous record of 103 held by Arizona State in a one overtime game vs. Stanford in 2012.
USC Quarterback, Cody Kessler was 25-37 for 394-yards passing and no interceptions. The Trojan offense amassed a whopping 701-yards of total offense. Javorius Allen led all rushers with 139-yards on 22 carries.
For USC the only blemish on their scorecard was two turnovers on fumbles. As for the Bulldogs, their work has just begun.
Gary Montgomery can be reached at gmontgomery@att.net