2007 Game 12:  USC vs. UCLA - Offense Notes Date - December 1, 2007 Location - LA Coliseum Result: USC 24 - UCLA 7 On a somewhat cold and windy day in the Coliseum USC extracted revenge for last year's stinging defeat yard by yard, block by block, and play by play. It was certainly not a particularly pleasant game to watch or effective in terms of passing offense. However USC produced 437 yards on 85 plays in the game with 231 of those coming on 49 rush plays. In comparison UCLA produced 168 total yards on 54 plays. For the game UCLA was 0 for 11 on third down conversions and for the most part unable to sustain any serious offensive drives. Pete Carroll asked for 3 turnovers from his defense this week and for the first time this year the Trojans generated four. Normally that equates to a 40 point game for USC but this game was a mini-clinic in how to reduce 40 points to just 24 and indicative of why this offense struggles at times. For example USC failed to convert a 4th and 1 on the UCLA 24 after a Bruin fumble, David Buehler missed a FG from 40 yards out after a drive stalled at the Bruin 23 yard line, John David Booty had a wind affected deep pass intercepted in the Bruin end zone, and Joe McKnight fumbled on the Bruin 13 yard line after a nice run. Execution at critical moments has plagued this offense at puzzling times during the season. Still however a win is a win in a rivalry game and the Trojans now move onto the Rose Bowl and a date with Illinois. I had Monday off this week and put some more pictures into this week's offense notes out of curiosity about some topics. How USC Scored Drive Starting Point Points Comment (Starting Field Position) Long field scoring drives 10 1 Long Field TD Drive (USC 21 & 41 Yard Line) Short field scoring drives 14 2 Short field drives for TD (UCLA 32 Yard Line, 43 Yard Line) Direct scores by the defense or special teams 0 No direct scores. Totals 24 3 TD's & 1 FG in total. As evidenced above USC scored just 24 points in the game with 10 coming on drives that started inside the USC 50 and 14 points coming off of shorter drives that started on the UCLA side of the field. USC did produce four turnovers in the game for the first time this season as noted above. Unfortunately execution related mistakes stopped several of these from turning into scores as mentioned above. USC also committed two turnovers as well. Despite producing the four turnovers USC still ranks just 64th in the nation in turnover margin. That figure is up 18 places from last week and where USC spent most of the season. Updated YTD Trend For Long Field Points Here is an updated look at how USC is doing this season in terms of long field scoring points. USC is near the norm for the past six years (excluding 2005) but is still scoring only 31.25 total points per game on average. USC averaged 38 total points between 2002 and 2004 for example. The delta the past two seasons is missing short field "easy points" on drives starting on the opponents side of the field that the Trojans produced so effortlessly from 2002-2005.  This game was irregular in that USC finally produced turnovers but failed to convert several of them into scores.  USC Scoring Per Game & Turnover Trend Here is an updated look at USC's scoring this season on a per game basis combined with the number of USC turnovers on offense. For the year if you add the points up on offense and divide it by the number of turnovers it should look something like this: Average Points With 0 Turnovers - 44.0 Average Points With 1 Turnover -  37.0 Average Points With 2 Turnovers - 28.7 Average Points With 3 Turnovers - 27.3 Average Points With 4 Turnovers - N/A Average Points With 5 Turnovers - 23.0 Season Avg 2.1 Turnovers/Game - 31.25 Points Per Game Here are some stats I compile after every game as well for comparison. Key Stats Check Category USC Comment Red Zone Efficiency 75% USC was 3 for 4  in the red zone with a missed FG attempt. First Down (+4) Efficiency 50% USC was a healthy 50% on +4 plays on first down converting 21 of 42. Turnovers Lost/Gained +2 USC forced three fumbles and one interception in the game while losing a fumble and an interception. Big Plays (+10 on runs) 11 There were11 big runs in the game of 10 yards or more that generated 123 yards. Big Plays (+15 on pass) 5 There were just 5 big pass plays of 15 yards or greater in the game that generated 61 yards. Overall Scoring Drive Conversion 25% USC scored on 4 of its 16 drives for a 25% conversion. Average Drive Length  29 yards Average drive length was just over 29 yards or slightly under average for most years. Scoring Drive Length 46 yards Average scoring drive length in the game was just 46 yards right at the the 2003 mark. 3rd Down Conversion 31.3% USC was just 5 of 16 on third down conversions in the game. 4th Down Conversion 0% USC was 0 of 1 on 4th down attempts. Sacks Generated 4 Sacks USC produced four sacks in the game subtracting 31 yards off the UCLA rush attack. Tackles For Loss 8 TFL's  USC produced 8 total tackles for loss in the game subtracting 52 yards of UCLA offense USC Overall Offensive Stats Plays Number Yards Per Play Average Run Plays 49 231 4.7 Pass Plays 36 206 5.7 Total Plays 85 437 5.1 Passing Game Related USC was 21 of 36 in the passing department for 206 yards and one interception. USC did a much better job in pass protection this season than last year. However there were just 5 big pass plays in the game that generated 15 yards or more in length. UCLA deserves some credit for that stat with their play in the secondary. Unlike Arizona State or Washington State the other two teams that mainly played Cover 4 versus USC the UCLA safeties did not bite too much on play fakes and did not get turned around by any down field moves when the Trojans wide receivers did run deeper routes. Generally UCLA DB's played their scheme well and USC was forced to take the short underneath throws to the flats, stick routes to Fred Davis, or passes to the fullback for example coming out of the backfield. The deepest ball thrown was intercepted and the wind may have had something to do with the passing game as well. Dropped balls were problematic once again for the USC offense and perhaps another 50-70 yards of pass attack was left on the table. No doubt this will now become the number one area for improvement leading up to the Rose Bowl and into next season for the Trojans. Below are some of the typical of pass plays in the game and a couple that generated good yardage. UCLA Defensive Schemes   I attended the game at the Coliseum for the first time in years out of curiosity in order to take some overhead pictures and video. Next week I might try to convert that film and show some wider angles. Anyway a couple of weeks ago I realized while watching TV at home that UCLA had changed their defensive scheme from a Cover 2 shell to a Cover 4 scheme in the secondary much like Arizona State and Washington State has in recent years. With some luck I even found some videos by the UCLA coaching staff that outlines the scheme and responsibilities from Championship Products. The DVD's run $39.99 but they give some good insights into the UCLA defense. Coach Walker outlines their tactics to apply pressure that he learned from Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick in Coaching Football Disruptions. Gary DeLoach outlines the change from a Cover 2 scheme that ranked 116th out of 117 teams in the NCAA in rush defense in 2005 to a Cover 4 scheme in this video that is aimed at stopping the run. The primary reason he outlines for the change - inability to stop Reggie Bush and other Pac-10 running backs in 2005 which forced self reflection and need for change.  Both Cover 2 and 4 are two high safety schemes but have different responsibility rules. In Cover 4 safeties play a flat foot read at 8-10 yards deep instead of twelve yards and funnel down hard on run plays immediately. For this reason safeties will make lots of tackles in this scheme. UCLA safeties Dennis Keyes and Chris Horton rank #1 and #2 on their team in tackles. In Cover 2 defending against the post pass is first responsibility by the safeties and as such they line up at 12 yards deep and generally take two steps backwards while reading the play. In this game against USC the Bruin safeties may have even played tighter at times than 8 yards to stop the run but it was still a Cover 4 scheme and responsibilities on base plays from what I saw and taped. There are simple rules in Cover 4 for responding to the opponents backfield alignment and whether the backs split flow, full flow, or weak flow out of the backfield. This change along with development of personnel and the instruction of the defensive staff has improved the UCLA run defense to 9th in the country in 2006, and to 25th this year in the country this season. UCLA has accomplished this for the most part without sacrificing the ability to cover down field passes as well. When they get beat it is probably deep versus very good receivers. If anyone is interested I thought both videos were interesting and fairly well done. They were reproductions of presentations from a coaching clinic with some actual game film from 2006 mixed in as well. It would not surprise me to see more teams in the Pac-10 mix in this coverage in the future. Cover 4 Pictures Here is a link to a separate file with a link and some wider pictures and descriptions of Cover 4 for those interested (Click here). Passing Yards & Completion % Chart In terms of yardage USC was 21 of 36 passes for 206 yards and the one interception. YPA / YPC Chart Pass Play Examples Pass Play 1 This is UCLA's Cover 4 alignment versus USC's 2TE's with Twin receivers left on the first play of the game. (Note: One deep safety not in view.) Against Cover 4 the soft bubble between the WR's and corners has to be attacked to set up deeper plays later in the game. Here QB John David Booty makes the quick hitch or screen throw left to David Ausberry. The play looked promising but the inside WR released rather than block the safety coming down. Or he may have just not been able to get a good angle on him. Instead of getting a chance to break the first tackle and run, Ausberry was brought down quickly for no gain. Regardless you have to take a few shots like this against C4 to take advantage of the soft corner. Otherwise you forfeit part of the field of play. Pass Play 2 After the punt fumble by UCLA USC came back in the I Formation. Here you can see one of the safeties for UCLA down to get 8 men in the box versus this formation. It was still Cover 4 however with soft corners I suspect and the SS taking the TE. Could be Cover 3 as well. Again USC attacks the soft bubble on the perimeter with a quick screen to Vidal Hazelton. Backs flow left for misdirection. Some coaches actually consider this a "long hand-off" run play rather than a pass since it is such a high percentage throw. This time the play is good for about a 4 yard gain. If the WR beats the first man he'll easily gain another ten or so before help can arrive. Pass Play 3 Here is one more pass play in the first few minutes of the game. USC lined up in its 4 WR / Bunch right formation. From here USC runs toss sweep to the strong side, different pass plays (like the mesh play last week), or isolation plays to the single WR left. This time it was a play action hand off to the back to freeze the LB's and safeties for a moment and then an isolation pass play to the left. The TE on the left is releasing off the edge as well. The play looked to be designed to go to the WR and try to come back inside and run a little slip screen behind the TE releasing from the left. UCLA defended it well though and it was stopped for no gain. Pass Play 4 Here UCLA lines up with 7 or 8 men in the box (depending upon where you define the box) against USC's 2 TE I Formation which is a strong run formation by design. This pass is based off of play action however and tries to get the safeties and LB's to bite on the run fake to the tailback. The safety for UCLA held his ground pretty well however and stayed home. Unlike last year where at this point the QB had 2 DE's breathing down his neck JDB had more time to throw. The pass was a rifle shot through coverage that the TV did not show well. FB Havili did get open down field though and beat the Bruin safeties. That play is a nice asset that was not available last season with Havili and the other FB's all injured. The extra time generated by the offensive line I thought was critical for the play to develop and give Havili a moment to get open. Nice gain of 27 yards on the play. Pass Play 5 Here is USC's 3 WR formation with 2 WR's right and the TE and tight WR to the left. One WR was actually FB Havili who motioned back to FB before snap into the I formation. After the play fake to the tailback JDB throws a quick pass to FB Havili coming out of the backfield on an arrow route to the flats. Again it is attacking the soft spot of Cover 4 in general. This normally pits Havili versus an outside linebacker or a safety.  The effect of the WR releasing deep also clears out usually one or two of the DB's on that side of the field. In this case I think UCLA probably blew their coverage responsibilities as no one was near him after the catch and turn upfield. Normally this is good for a 7 yard gain or so. Eventually Havili was brought down however after a 25 yard gain on the play. Pass Play 6 Here USC went to the shotgun on a 3rd and long situation. UCLA has seven men near the box versus a 3WR set and presents a threat of blitz. USC motioned in a back for added protection on the play either by design or a QB call. To the bottom of the picture you can see the extent of the cushion that UCLA provided the USC WR's on the play conceding the short throw on 3rd and 11. The two WR's release and one underneath runs a quick out and is open but probably would not have gotten the first down after the catch. The second WR Patrick Turner runs a deeper curl or comeback route and is open versus the DB. The TV camera moved too quickly on the play and the image unfortunately blurred. It looked like the ball placement was pretty good to the outside shoulder helping the WR turn quickly upfield. Turner adds a few more yards before being forced out of bounds and a good gain of 16 yards on the play. Pass Play 7 Here UCLA only rushes 3 DL and puts just six men in the box versus USC's 3 WR formation on 3rd and 9. From the shotgun Booty takes the snap and the RB stays in for protection. Still one man gets beat and USC is unable to slide a man over to stop him. Booty is able to avoid him however. Shotgun helped here I suspect even though it gives away to the opposition that it is a pass play for USC. After side stepping the pressure Booty spots Patrick Turner open down field. I think Turner broke off his route and came back on the play. On TV you can't tell but that is what I thought I saw from the stands at least. The result was a nice completion and a good gain of 19 yards for first down. Due to the nature of Cover 4 you generally don't see a lot of deep balls thrown against it in the middle of the field. Usually it forces the offense to take the short throws to the flats, work in play action to backs or TE's releasing. Running 3 or 4 vertical receivers straight downfield is tough to do versus this coverage. Fred Davis did have a nice game as well catching 6 shorter passes underneath for 41 yards on the day. When the safeties in cover 4 bite too hard on play action style plays then it opens up the possibility of deeper completions. Or if the WR's can beat DB's with double moves down field routes can work. Unfortunately I did not see much of that effectively done in the game. UCLA's secondary appeared to play their pass responsibilities pretty well except for some of the plays shown above. A couple of deeper passes could have been completed by USC but were dropped as has been the case much of this year. Also a deeper pass to the end zone by John David Booty was intercepted and may have been affected by the swirling winds. Pass Histogram Here was the shape of the passing histogram in the game for USC. As noted above there were only 5 pass plays in the game by USC that were of 15 yards or greater in the game. Several others in the 10-15 yard range were completed as well. Unlike last week where ASU missed a lot of tackles on the perimeter or let Fred Davis get loose on TE release routes not a lot of yards were gained after catch. Running Game Fortunately there were quite a few good runs in the game for the Trojans this year unlike last year where USC only gained 55 yards on 29 carries for a 1.9 yard average. Cover 4 is usually hard to run against as it brings down both the safeties hard and fast against 2 back running plays and one safety against one back sets. As a result the UCLA safeties rack up lots of tackles in their scheme. For example UCLA's Safety Dennis Keyes was the leading tackler in the game this week for UCLA with 19 tackles. That is a more than they would like to see I suspect as still the front four and LB's have to stop run plays as well. Regardless of the scheme this time around the offensive line of USC and the running backs got the upper hand with 49 carries for 231 yards in the game for a healthy 4.7 yard average. The main difference I could see? For starters the strength and health of UCLA's front four was clearly not as good this time around and the loss of Justin Hickman to graduation mattered as well. Conversely USC was at full strength on the offensive line, Stanley Havili was available at FB, the RB's were slightly more experienced this year, and of course a year to game plan and prepare with motivation helped as well. USC Rush Histogram Rush Attack There were 11 runs in the game of 10 yards or more that netted 123 yards in total. A big gainer by Joe McKnight was reduced when he stepped out of bounds as well. Still compared to last season the rush offense was reliable and a big reason for victory in the game. Below I'll highlight one run each by Joe McKnight, Chauncey Washington, and Stafon Johnson. Joe McKnight Run Here USC lined up in a 3WR set on a 1st and 10 play. USC is about equal tendency to run and pass in this situation. Joe McKnight is the single setback and the play looks like a basic inside zone run to the left of the line. The left tackle Sam Baker and TE do a nice job of kicking out the 5 technique DE of UCLA and sealing off the edge to open a nice hole for McKnight. Joe McKnight bursts through the gap and the safety was slow to funnel down on this play. Once outside with a couple of yards McKnight is almost impossible to bring down. He reaches the end zone untouched for what appeared to be a TD. Unfortunately he stepped out of bounds earlier in the run. Instead of a TD USC winds up with a field goal a few plays later. Chauncey Washington Run Here is the 10 yard TD run by Chauncey Washington.  UCLA has only seven men in the immediate tackle box for some reason and is a step slow to respond to the formation change. From this angle at least it looked like a simple isolation lead draw play off of right guard. Chauncey gets lost in the surge but USC opens a small hole to the right side of the offensive line off of Chilo Rachal it appeared. Once through the hole it was all Chauncey Washington versus the second level of UCLA's defense. They should have stopped him at the five yard line it appeared but he stayed upright with his legs driving. The result was a TD that looked like 90% effort and some very tough running that will be hard to replace next season. Stafon Johnson Run Here is a wider angle shot of UCLA's defense. It is still Cover 4 but against the 3WR set one  safety comes down further than the other. The CB's stay soft on the WR's. On this play it looks like it is a base zone run play to the TE side of the line. It looked like the right tackle and tight end did a nice job sealing off and kicking out to open a good sized hole. Stafon gets through the first level of defense and has options of where to go next. Nice down field blocking by WR Hazelton as well. Instead of  heading upfield he takes it outside of the right tackle Radovich who does a nice job of staying on his block. Stafon gets outside along the sideline before being forced out of bounds for an 18 yard gain. Offensive by Downs & Run versus Pass Downs Runs Passes Total 1st 23 19 42 2nd 17 9 26 3rd 8 8 16 4th 1 0 1 49 36 85 Offense by Down and Distance Down and Distance Situation Run Play Pass Play 1st & Long 22 19 1st & Medium 1 0 1st & Short 0 0 2nd & Long 11 9 2nd & Medium 2 0 2nd & Short 4 0 3rd and Long 6 7 3rd and Medium 0 0 3rd and Short 2 1 4th and Long 0 0 4th and Medium 0 0 4th and Short 1 0 Overall 49 36 Other Notes & Reflections: This was obviously a good win for USC and puts the Trojans in the Rose Bowl versus Illinois. UCLA moves onto the Las Vegas Bowl to face BYU in a rematch of a Bruin victory earlier in the year. Somehow the Trojans managed to leave about 20-24 points on the field versus UCLA with a missed field goal, a end zone interception, a failed 4th and 1 yard play, stepping out of bounds, and a Joe McKnight fumble at the UCLA 13 yard line. Dropped passes returned again this week in full force and stopped the passing attack from much production also. UCLA's secondary deserves credit as well in that respect. Overall these type of executional errors have plagued the Trojans all season long and stopped it from scoring the 38 or so points per game that was the team average from 2002-2004. This year looks to finish about a TD short of that mark with a current average of 31.25 points per game. Fix a few dropped passes, run better WR routes, generate a few more turnovers on defense and the offense will click better. Until then it appears stuck at this overall level of about 430 yards and 31 points per game. Still it was a nice win versus a rival and those are not always easy to come by as the Trojans learned last year. With a good performance and a win in the Rose Bowl USC can finish 11-2 and perhaps be in the Top 5 when all is said and done. Most teams would envy that type of year. Due to the hard work and success of Pete Carroll, staff, and players over the past few yeas that achievement level is now viewed as average or even a tinge disappointing in some quarters. I saved games during the year of LSU, Ohio State, West Virginia, Oklahoma and a couple of others anticipating a match up versus one of those teams. Unfortunately I did not tape any of Illinois so I won't have any notes leading up to that game. One month until the final game of the season and then I go into game replay and study mode. Where did the season go? At least I won't be receiving any Christmas, New Years, or baby announcements with 13-9 written on them this year from Bruin fans. Let West Virginia take over that number.