What Lessons the USC Trojans Learned in Hawaii

Just how good or how bad the Trojans will be this season is difficult to tell from their 49-36 victory over the Hawaii Warriors in Honolulu.

Remember the Fresno State game in 2005?  This was nearly a carbon copy: great on offense, terrible on defense.

One thing is for certain, the 2010 version of the USC Trojans is definitely a work in progress. 

How far into the season before that work is complete is anyone’s guess.

The Trojans lack of tackling in Fall Camp was definitely obvious; fortunately for USC, the Warriors don’t tackle either in their preseason practices and that caused both defenses to give up big yards and plenty of scores.

It was like watching human pinballs in football uniforms bouncing off one tackler after another.

The Trojan secondary doesn’t need a lot of work like some have suggested—they need experience. As they get to play against different offensive sets and different styles of receivers, these young defensive backs should grow into their positions.

But that could take most if not all of the season. 

Two pass interference penalties on safety Jawanza Starling were the result of the young safety playing the receiver instead of the ball. Torrin Harris was constantly late on coverage. Nickell Robey had his problems tackling as did blitzing linebacker Devon Kenard.

And where was USC’s vaunted front seven? Out of position mostly. Unable to hold their lanes. Like their inexperienced counterparts in the secondary, the seasoned front seven had more than their share of missed tackles. 

The defensive performance reminded me of last year’s Oregon and Stanford games.  The front seven still has their hands full with mobile quarterbacks.  It was really difficult to watch.

Monte Kiffin is going to have to put his defense through some tackling practice if the Trojans hope to stay on the field against the likes of Washington and Oregon.

As for pass defense, even Hawaii’s third string quarterback threw two long touchdowns and their second string quarterback just missed one.  

Three drops of good throws from Hawaii’s starter Bryant Moniz with yardage to spare and a vicious hit by Michael Morgan that took Moniz out of the game and the outcome could have been different.

How bad was it? Hawaii actually outgained USC in total yards, 588 to 525. In passing yardage, it was no contest. Hawaii racked up 459 yards through the air to 278 for USC.

But Trojans’ offense was their saving grace.

Matt Barkley, Marc Tyler, the receiving corps, and the offensive line were in mid-season form.

The lack of getting tackled in practice seemed to have little effect. Only one turnover.  Brandon Carswell fumbled a Mitch Mustain pass. 

Otherwise, the backs and receivers held onto the ball and operated like a well-oiled machine.

So the question for the coming week and beyond falls on the defense: Will Lane Kiffin allow his players to tackle in practice? 

And what to do about the coverage or rather the lack thereof? 

With the top quarterbacks in college football all residing in the Pac-10, I wonder if Monte Kiffin wishes he were back in the NFL.