I wrote down some notes during the USC scrimmage on August 22nd and took some pictures as well as a couple video clips from overhead. I checked with some poeple about putting any of it on line and they are checking with USC SID Tim Tessalone. It sounds though like posting the pictures and video from the scrimmage is mostly considered out of bounds. After the game versus one opponent is one thing but pre-season before a game is not appreciated. I’ll follow the rules and stick to general text and recollections. 

Overall

I thought that the coaches kept things under wraps on both sides of the ball since it was a public scrimmage. It was pretty much vanilla offense and defense being played. Still it was awful fun to watch. Nothing earth shattering to report that has not been stated already in various locations but here are my summary observations based off of reviewing the notes and pictures again tonight.

• On the offensive side it was the usual formations. A good mix of I Formation, 2 TE sets, 3 WR / 1 TE sets, TE Trips, a tight bunch formation, several 5 WR plays, and elements of various man in motion.
• There was zero use of the Shotgun that I saw so I have to wonder what its future is? Maybe it was just shelved for the open scrimmage…I’m confused now after all the reports so I hope the opposition is also befuddled about its status.
• On the defensive side of the ball it was the normal formations as well. 4-3 Under and Over fronts on the D-line about 80% of the time. In the secondary it was the usual mix of Cover 1, Cover 2 Zone, and Cover 2 Man Under. Sometimes one safety was inverted in Cover 2. Overall with the secondary defense in particular the coaches seemed to keep a pretty tight handle on. However no matter who was deep FS (Pinkard or Mays) it looked quite good back there. Kevin Ellison played his normal mistake free smart game reading run plays quickly and effectively.
• Only a couple of blitz plays were executed but nothing too special. Once the QB was touched with 2 hands the officials called a quick whistle. No point in getting anyone hurt. I do think Sacks and TFL’s will pick up this year. Ellis and Moala each collapsed the pocket a couple of times. Pressure off the ends was evident on several plays as well by Griffen, Moore, Jackson, and Morrow. There was only one official sack and that was by Griffen. Again since it was against second team offense it has to be measured somewhat.
• I thought kick coverage on special teams by the first unit looked better than in recent years. On the one big return by Ronald Johnson it looked like someone left a lane wide open in the middle though by the second team. Stafon fumbled a punt near the goal line for the Cardinal squad for the only turnover of the scrimmage which lead directly to a quick score by the second team. I’d guess that takes him out of any running for the spot and probably puts Desmond Reed back there to just catch the ball safely. Even from the stands Pete did not look happy after that fumble…

Run Game Related

• The run game looked quite good as reported. I have to temper my enthusiasm though with the reality that it was first team offense versus second team defense. From the stands it looked like the first big run by CW came off of RG Chilo Rachal. The second big run by Stafon Johnson was off of LG Jeff Byers. There were a couple of good isolation run plays out of the I Formation following the lead block of the Fullback so I was encouraged by that. Bradford’s running behind the second team offensive line versus the first team defense was equally impressive all things considered. Any of those three backs look like they can rack up 100+ yards per game if healthy and given the lions share of the carries.
• It sure looked like the offensive line was getting a better push than last year but we’ll have to wait until Nebraska (or later) to be sure. Jeff Byers looked really quick off the ball and explosive on a couple of plays to his side. That was encouraging. The running backs also just looked to be making better reads and cuts. Not too much dancing around. On Stafon’s big run Rey looked like he over ran his assignment however and left the hole half open…I could easily be wrong though. Johnson also did make a nice cut as well to get by him.

Passing Game Related

• It looked like they kept things really buttoned down here in the passing game as well. Only a couple of deep balls were thrown. Mostly short stuff like the hitch route, out route, screens, slants, and a few intermediate mesh routes, etc.
• I am really impressed with the physical nature of David Ausberry when catching the ball even after reading all the reports. He uses his body really well and makes the tough catch in traffic look easy somehow. I think 3 of his 4 catches came in some pretty good coverage. Afterwards the defender was lying on the ground after several of the catches…teams are going to have a hard time defending him (and Turner, and the others). As long as Booty is healthy I am not too worried about the passing game.
• Can’t really complain that the offense did not throw to the TE…They did throw that direction about 3-4 times. The problem is both Fred Davis and also McCoy both dropped the ball. Fred dropped one wide open pass 15 yards down the middle on what looked like that seam play Rich has been looking for…We’ll see this play again though I’m sure.
• I was more encouraged by the completed passes thrown to the Fullbacks and their display of good hands. Havili and Goodman caught 3 balls for 39 yards for the Cardinal squad. Those extra yards can sure help sustain drives during the game and were sorely missing last year in certain situations.
• I only saw one ball thrown by Booty that made me really wince. He threw short into some double coverage once underneath and it looked as if it could or should have been picked off. Two of McDonald’s passes came closer to being picked off though. I thought Kevin Ellison really could have gotten to one on a McDonald throw away in the face of pressure…he just missed by a fraction.
• The only batted down ball of the game I saw was when Aaron Corp was in at QB near the end of the game…Maybe he is shorter than really listed? (Joke)

Other random stuff

• Greg Woidneck’s only official punt in the stats was for 40 yards and hang time seemed better than last year on his punt? Maybe he won’t have to kick much this year.
• All the snaps and holding placement of kicks looked good for the Cardinal squad on extra points.
• Most of Buehler’s kick offs (4-5?) went to the goal line or just into the end zone that I checked. Only one I noticed was shorter somewhere between the 5 and the 10. It was returned out further by Vincent Joseph to around the 30-35 yard line.
• I have the picture of CW getting hurt. #23 Joseph and #81 Washington were barreling down on him after a good gain. CW was tripped up at the legs by Joseph and then the full brunt of #81 Washington just came down and smashed his shoulder into the turf. It was just a bad accidental combination at the wrong moment.

That is all. If the SID rules I can put up pictures I’ll post them later in a day or two.