Fair is fair. Previously in this space we have used Brian Dohn's weekly report card to excoriate the performance of Karl Dorrell. Here is Dohn report card on the Southern Cal game featuring our defense and the coaching staff, which we posted on BN last year:
Defensive line
This was the worst unit in an embarrassing game. Forget the 330 yards rushing yards Cal and Washington gained, because this dwarfed it. Somehow, USC's 430 yards rushing, including an 8.4-yard average, seemed worse than the 441 Oklahoma State had last season.
Grade: F
Linebackers
The blitzes didn't work, and Reggie Bush had too much speed to get to the corner before the linebackers could get there. The Bruins took solace in being able to rattle an emotionally unstable Matt Leinart early in the game. Geez, imagine how many points USC could have scored.
Grade: F
Defensive backs
Marcus Cassel made 16 tackles and was all over the place. Unfortunately, each time he reached a ball carrier it was 10 yards downfield. Safeties Dennis Keyes and Jarrad Page talking about how surprised they were with Bush's speed is telling.
Grade: F
Special teams
There was a botched extra point and an onside-kick attempt USC nearly returned for a TD. It also took too long to adjust to USC's pooch kicks, which nearly resulted in a turnover.
Grade: F
Coaching
Three weeks to prepare for the third-worst loss in series history? There is nothing else to say.
Grade: F
So it's only fair we post the report card for the Bruin defense and coaching staff after the Southern Cal game this year:
This was the worst unit in an embarrassing game. Forget the 330 yards rushing yards Cal and Washington gained, because this dwarfed it. Somehow, USC's 430 yards rushing, including an 8.4-yard average, seemed worse than the 441 Oklahoma State had last season.
Grade: F
Linebackers
The blitzes didn't work, and Reggie Bush had too much speed to get to the corner before the linebackers could get there. The Bruins took solace in being able to rattle an emotionally unstable Matt Leinart early in the game. Geez, imagine how many points USC could have scored.
Grade: F
Defensive backs
Marcus Cassel made 16 tackles and was all over the place. Unfortunately, each time he reached a ball carrier it was 10 yards downfield. Safeties Dennis Keyes and Jarrad Page talking about how surprised they were with Bush's speed is telling.
Grade: F
Special teams
There was a botched extra point and an onside-kick attempt USC nearly returned for a TD. It also took too long to adjust to USC's pooch kicks, which nearly resulted in a turnover.
Grade: F
Coaching
Three weeks to prepare for the third-worst loss in series history? There is nothing else to say.
Grade: F
Defensive line
USC RBs C.J. Gable and Chauncey Washington had nowhere to run, and DE Bruce Davis spent much of the day chasing QB John David Booty. Davis' and Justin Hickman's speed off the corners created havoc for the Trojans' offensive line.
Grade: A+
Linebackers
Reggie Carter and Christian Taylor had big games. A blitzing Carter set the tone early with a hit on Booty, and this unit did a fine job stuffing the run as the Trojans ran for 55 yards on 29 carries. Taylor had a game-high 11 tackles. And don't forget Eric McNeal's interception.
Grade: A+
Secondary
USC's longest pass play was for 39 yards, and was the only play of more than 20 yards. FS Dennis Keyes and SS Chris Horton were superb tackling and CBs Rodney Van, Alterraun Verner and Trey Brown were strong in coverage.
Grade: A+
Special teams
P Aaron Perez's 63-yard punt at the end of the game was supposed to go out-of-bounds, but instead went over the head of Desmond Reed. It was that type of career day for Perez, who averaged 48.3 yards on six kicks. PK Justin Medlock made both of his FG attempts and four of his five kickoffs were not returned.
Grade: A
Coaching
Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker could run for mayor of Westwood after his defense became the first in 64 games to hold the Trojans under 20 points. Funny how so many people who thought coach Karl Dorrell was overmatched before this game now believe he out-coached Pete Carroll.
Grade: A
Now if we can get the offensive issued squared away and put together a complete a game against FSU, we can ride that momentum into a Pac-10 championship in 2007.USC RBs C.J. Gable and Chauncey Washington had nowhere to run, and DE Bruce Davis spent much of the day chasing QB John David Booty. Davis' and Justin Hickman's speed off the corners created havoc for the Trojans' offensive line.
Grade: A+
Linebackers
Reggie Carter and Christian Taylor had big games. A blitzing Carter set the tone early with a hit on Booty, and this unit did a fine job stuffing the run as the Trojans ran for 55 yards on 29 carries. Taylor had a game-high 11 tackles. And don't forget Eric McNeal's interception.
Grade: A+
Secondary
USC's longest pass play was for 39 yards, and was the only play of more than 20 yards. FS Dennis Keyes and SS Chris Horton were superb tackling and CBs Rodney Van, Alterraun Verner and Trey Brown were strong in coverage.
Grade: A+
Special teams
P Aaron Perez's 63-yard punt at the end of the game was supposed to go out-of-bounds, but instead went over the head of Desmond Reed. It was that type of career day for Perez, who averaged 48.3 yards on six kicks. PK Justin Medlock made both of his FG attempts and four of his five kickoffs were not returned.
Grade: A
Coaching
Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker could run for mayor of Westwood after his defense became the first in 64 games to hold the Trojans under 20 points. Funny how so many people who thought coach Karl Dorrell was overmatched before this game now believe he out-coached Pete Carroll.
Grade: A
Meanwhile though here is something to get you smile through rest of this Friday.
Thanks to drumfool for that shot who as you can see here got up close to this thing of beauty.
GO BRUINS.