2007 Week 5

Los Angeles, CA (AP)
Ever since Pete Carroll arrived at Southern Cal from day 1, he has have a trademark. You ask what that trademark might be, well I'll tell you, it's 2nd half adjustment. Carroll is known to be a guru when it comes to 2nd half adjustment, and probably the best college football coach in the game in terms of coming up with a second half game plan to combat the opponent's strategy. Carroll has a football mind unlike others, his confidence that his troop will execute a different plan from a 15 min half time period adjustment shows that he believes in his player and his coaching staff. But most important of all he understands that his team is very well coached by him and that he has intelligent leaders on the team that will guide everyone else. Most of Carroll's close game while at SC were won by his 2nd half adjustment made especially on the defensive side of the ball. Shutting down opponent's offense by taking away whatever they do best. If your running the ball well, he'll start slanting the D-line to hit those A's and B's gap to bust your blocking scheme. If your passing game is on, he'll start running zone blitz packages and press your wideouts. Pete Carroll has a method to his madness that sometime he only understands, but which ever way you slice it, he has a football mind like no others. Having college football's best ATHs helps also.

Why did I go on this spill about 2nd half adjustment. Well thats exactly what did Washington Huskies in this week. Despite USC's dominance on the offensive side of the ball, they weren't able to pull away from the Huskies. The defense just seemed like they couldn't stop the Huskies low rated offense. Now don't forget that the Huskies came into this game 0-4 and nearly in the bottom of Pac-10 offensive ratings. USC gave up 21 pts in the 1st half to the Huskies as they lead only by 7 at halftime.

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John David Booty passed
for 484 yds a USC record

and 4 TDs.

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But the second half is a different story. Pete Carrolls defense came out in the second half and dominated the Huskies allowing only 1 TD. The defense begin pressing the wideouts, Zone blitzing, and slanting their D-Line. Carrolls defense completely confused the Huskie's offense. One thing that worries me a little is the fact that I saw Carroll calling lots of defensive plays in the 2nd half and when ever the defense came off the field he was coaching them on the sideline. Is Carroll losing faith in Nick Holt and began to take over the defense again, only time will tell.

On the offensive side of the ball their were many stars that fill different roles. Patrick Turner took the role as the goto guy when they needed the first down, as his converted 1st down after 1st down to keep drives alive. He finished with 6 catches for 149 yds, but no love in the endzone. On the other hand Hazelton is just a TD machine snatching his 5th and 6th TD of the year on 3 catches. The running game was not spectacular but serviceable, with the top guy being C.J. Gable rushing for 72 yds on 16 carries and 2 TDs.
Joe Mcknight continues to shine with limited playing time due to the depth of the back field. He scored two more TDs this week as he had one receiving and one rushing. McKnight also had 43 yds rushing and 62 yds receiving.

notable defensive stats

Kyle Moore and Keith Rivers both recorded a sack. Shareece Wright and Josh Pinkard both had key interception to end long drives. USC chalks up another victory and hopefull on their way to a Pac-10 title.

Next Up

USC is at home against a better than expected Stanford team, but I see Carroll rubbing it in little bit and win big after Harbaugh and Carroll exchange of remarks this past summer.

SEE COMPLETE GAME STATS CLICK HERE