USC: What Did We Learn

Putting together some things from Holgorsen's presser with the replay. Made an interesting point that a lot of Barney's early production came on pass plays with progressions, and those just aren't working now. I think they've been cut back dramatically to make the OL's life easier, but Dylan also just doesn't trust it and is rushing things. Gave one example here, fake screen to Hunter. Holgorsen said this probably should have gone to Lindemeyer as drawn up (that DB is flat footed and Luke is running by him, but it is a CB on a TE so he's going to catch up). Second read is Barney coming across, and that looked to be coming open too. But Corocoran and Spindler are both getting beat, so he just flips it out to Hunter for no gain.
1762356880550.png

Later on the same drive, looks like Shallow cross and it's a pretty easy read to get this to Barney - a DB does trail him relatively close, but he stays open enough. But Corcoran is beat clean and both Guards lose so there's nowhere to step up. So Raiola saw Key one on one at the bottom of the screen and made a reasonable decision to throw it to him, but he was not expecting the ball. Not sure if Raiola expected an out route, tried throw it back shoulder, or if the DE got enough of his arm to affect the throw.
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The improved sack numbers are more a function of limiting the dropback passing game and Raiola getting it out quicker than they are a function of improved pass blocking. Which, in fairness to the line, is kind of expected when you've lost so many Tackles to injury.
 
Husker_In_WI said:
Putting together some things from Holgorsen's presser with the replay. Made an interesting point that a lot of Barney's early production came on pass plays with progressions, and those just aren't working now. I think they've been cut back dramatically to make the OL's life easier, but Dylan also just doesn't trust it and is rushing things. Gave one example here, fake screen to Hunter. Holgorsen said this probably should have gone to Lindemeyer as drawn up (that DB is flat footed and Luke is running by him, but it is a CB on a TE so he's going to catch up). Second read is Barney coming across, and that looked to be coming open too. But Corocoran and Spindler are both getting beat, so he just flips it out to Hunter for no gain.
View attachment 22869

Later on the same drive, looks like Shallow cross and it's a pretty easy read to get this to Barney - a DB does trail him relatively close, but he stays open enough. But Corcoran is beat clean and both Guards lose so there's nowhere to step up. So Raiola saw Key one on one at the bottom of the screen and made a reasonable decision to throw it to him, but he was not expecting the ball. Not sure if Raiola expected an out route, tried throw it back shoulder, or if the DE got enough of his arm to affect the throw.
View attachment 22870

The improved sack numbers are more a function of limiting the dropback passing game and Raiola getting it out quicker than they are a function of improved pass blocking. Which, in fairness to the line, is kind of expected when you've lost so many Tackles to injury.
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I haven't been able to go back and watch enough to know for sure. But it seems like there is a significant number of times that the pressure is coming around the outside of the tackles. However, there is a decent pocket to step up into but Dylan often doesn't do that. It's almost like he's getting too deep on his drops and dropping out of the pocket.
 
Husker_In_WI said:
Putting together some things from Holgorsen's presser with the replay. Made an interesting point that a lot of Barney's early production came on pass plays with progressions, and those just aren't working now. I think they've been cut back dramatically to make the OL's life easier, but Dylan also just doesn't trust it and is rushing things. Gave one example here, fake screen to Hunter. Holgorsen said this probably should have gone to Lindemeyer as drawn up (that DB is flat footed and Luke is running by him, but it is a CB on a TE so he's going to catch up). Second read is Barney coming across, and that looked to be coming open too. But Corocoran and Spindler are both getting beat, so he just flips it out to Hunter for no gain.
View attachment 22869

Later on the same drive, looks like Shallow cross and it's a pretty easy read to get this to Barney - a DB does trail him relatively close, but he stays open enough. But Corcoran is beat clean and both Guards lose so there's nowhere to step up. So Raiola saw Key one on one at the bottom of the screen and made a reasonable decision to throw it to him, but he was not expecting the ball. Not sure if Raiola expected an out route, tried throw it back shoulder, or if the DE got enough of his arm to affect the throw.
View attachment 22870

The improved sack numbers are more a function of limiting the dropback passing game and Raiola getting it out quicker than they are a function of improved pass blocking. Which, in fairness to the line, is kind of expected when you've lost so many Tackles to injury.
Click to expand...
So, play calling is helping the O line. I like that. Before, defenders were pinning their ears back and drilling him constantly. Now, he's getting the ball out faster AND.....the increased success EJ is having, should slow down the pass rush. It's not like we have totally abandoned the long ball. I remember at least a couple in the last game. And, the QBs seem to have more time when we try it. If defenses continue to send a bunch of defenders after TJ, the short passes is where they need to live.
 
Red Five said:
Run a bubble screen once or twice, then bam hit Barney on this for a TD. You’re welcome Dana.

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I mean that's pretty much what the first play I posted was. Not a bubble because we haven't run many of those (for which I am thankful), but it's the same TE/WR action that we've run on Hunter's big plays so you know USC is prepared for it. They just didn't bite that hard, and Raiola didn't pull the trigger to Lindenmeyer.

We also run this a lot, and I think the out and up to Barney is the only option we haven't thrown:
1762361208225.png
 
Mavric said:
I haven't been able to go back and watch enough to know for sure. But it seems like there is a significant number of times that the pressure is coming around the outside of the tackles. However, there is a decent pocket to step up into but Dylan often doesn't do that. It's almost like he's getting too deep on his drops and dropping out of the pocket.
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The middle of the pocket is worse than those screenshots make it look on those particular plays, but there are definitely times he just stays deep and the edge guys run right into him. And frankly he's been hit enough that I can't blame him too much for being scared to step up - but movement in the pocket could definitely help the OL out.
 
Wistrom Disciple said:
This is shocking! You're telling me we've benefitted from not one, but TWO offensive holding calls so far in Big Ten games? Well color me shocked.
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Madden (RIP) said on more than one occasion: "O-line holding can be called on almost every play."
Holding is basically allowed. It sucks, but it is. The two things not allowed are tackling and failing to release the hold after a few seconds.
The thing that sucks the most is in any given game the crew can call the game "tight" ... or they can "let the boyz play". It's frustrating because teams have to adjust to the tendencies of the crew. And if those tendencies change during the course of the game both teams have a reason to complain about the lack of consistency.
 
Bobby_Axelrod said:
Madden (RIP) said on more than one occasion: "O-line holding can be called on almost every play."
Holding is basically allowed. It sucks, but it is. The two things not allowed are tackling and failing to release the hold after a few seconds.
The thing that sucks the most is in any given game the crew can call the game "tight" ... or they can "let the boyz play". It's frustrating because teams have to adjust to the tendencies of the crew. And if those tendencies change during the course of the game both teams have a reason to complain about the lack of consistency.
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what sucks is that we get called for a holding and then the next series I believe Nwenari is coming around the corner with a guy draped all over him just like we got called for and its right by the QB where most officials are looking and... crickets.
 
TGHusker said:
I remember that play - I was yelling at the refs via the TV as if that is a sane thing to do.
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I did too especially because it was so close to the call against us. If they aren't calling it both ways I'm fine with it. But if its the same exact type you called just a series before call it both ways
 
I learned we’re currently in last place in Big 10 for 2026 recruiting. Ranked 65 and 85 in the nation from two national polls. Mind blowing in my opinion.
 
NWHuskerfan said:
I learned we’re currently in last place in Big 10 for 2026 recruiting. Ranked 65 and 85 in the nation from two national polls. Mind blowing in my opinion.
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We aren't taking many players. Yes, it could be better but remember, we have THE youngest team in the B1G. Our 2026 class was never going to rank very high due to the small number of players. I also think we are going to look for transfer portal solutions for the line that can play right away. True freshman on the lines aren't going to make 2026 better.
 
Hilltop said:
We aren't taking many players. Yes, it could be better but remember, we have THE youngest team in the B1G. Our 2026 class was never going to rank very high due to the small number of players. I also think we are going to look for transfer portal solutions for the line that can play right away. True freshman on the lines aren't going to make 2026 better.
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I agree plus recalibrating after the pandemic playing extensions disappear and roster limits in general. Rhule's calling out the money necessary to go shopping in the expensive aisle with the big boys goes back to your point about the portal.
 
USC back to humming offensively in a 38-17 win. Gained almost 500 yards (173 rush, 309 pass) against a Northwestern team coming off a bye week. Maiava 24/33 for 299 yds. Miller 15 rushes for 127 yards. Lemon 11 receptions for 161 yards.
 
Red Five said:
Run a bubble screen once or twice, then bam hit Barney on this for a TD. You’re welcome Dana.

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We run a similar concept to this every game. I think it's part of the package that Hunter had his 2 big catch and runs for TDs. We have about 3 or 4 different plays based off similar looks for the defense in every package. It is either a tunnel screen, bubble screen, fake bubble and go, or bubble and go with RPO, PA, or just some kind of run.
 
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