USC Football: 8 Reasons for Trojan Fans to Smile After the Minnesota Debacle

After suffering through one of the worst Trojan victories in years, fans of the program are groping to find something positive they can take from this most embarrassing of wins.

While there are plenty of reasons for those who follow USC to be concerned, there are also some good things to come out of week one of the college football season and not all of them involved the cardinal and gold.

Included among these good feelings, at least for this writer, was the auspicious debut of a player whom many thought would be a Trojan but instead wound up signing with a rival team.

Although there are many reasons for fans of the men of Troy to have some deep, abiding concerns heading into what is a pivotal early game against Utah, there are also reasons for them to feel as though there are things to build on.

So, in an effort to spread some sunshine, lets find out what else Trojan fans have to smile about after the first week of USC football...

No. 8: De'Anthony Thomas Makes an Auspicious Debut with Oregon

The first reason on this list for Trojan fans to smile after the Minnesota game had nothing to do with that game at all.

Instead, the #8 slot on this list is occupied for a young player who spurned the Trojans at the last moment when it came time for him to sign on the dotted line for his letter of intent.

DeAnthony Thomas, the talented little running back who eventually wound up with the Oregon Ducks, had quite a debut Saturday night against LSU.

It was Thomas, and his back-to-back fumbles that helped seal the Ducks doom against the Tigers on national television.

Now typically, I would not root against a young player whose first game mistakes played a significant part in their defeat.

But in the case of Thomas, it's different.

Its personal, and I freely admit that I relished his gaffes and basked in his misfortune.

Although I was rooting for Oregon to beat LSU in a highly anticipated matchup of Pac-12 vs. the SEC, if it was not meant to be, at least it came at the expense of the player I least like in the sport.

Am I bitter and vindictive that Thomas left the Trojans at the alter on signing day?

Damn right I am.

No. 7: D.J. Morgan Has a Nice, If Not Spectacular Day Against the Gophers

While the Trojans rushing attack was ineffective overall, what should not be lost in the minutiae was the solid debut of running back D.J. Morgan.

Morgan, who is coming back from a severe knee injury, only rushed for 70 yards but he did it behind an inexperienced offensive line that was producing little in the way of gaping holes.

More to the point, there were barely any holes at all, yet Morgan was able to fashion almost four yards per attempt.

Perhaps as important, Morgan did not fumble and his ball security will be important as he moves forward.

Though this was by no means a memorable debut for the running game, it is something to build on and if both Morgan and the Trojans offensive line progresses, fans will have plenty to smile about in the future.

No. 6: Da'Jon Harris Has a Nice Start to His 2011 Season

The front defensive seven had a nice game against Minnesota, and among the front four, no one had a better game than Da'Jon Harris.

Harris set the tone by stuffing Gopher quarterback Marqueis Gray early twice and kept up the pressure throughout the game when he was in there.

Included among Harris' highlights was several stops and a sack that he wasn't given credit for because the stat official screwed up.

For Harris, now a senior, it was a very good way to start his last season with the cardinal and gold.

No. 5: Marqise Lee Doesn't Disappoint in First Game as a True Freshman

This years version of all-everything wide receiver Robert Woods, Marqise Lee, didn't blow anyone away but he had a very nice beginning to his USC career against the Gophers.

After coming up with five catches for 32 yards, Lee will build on this start to the season to become a viable threat thus taking some of the heat off of the aforementioned Woods.

Displaying soft hands and the ability to withstand some big hits, Lee followed up his solid fall camp Saturday on a day when the Trojans were nothing more than a one dimensional team.

Tough circumstances to be sure but Lee came through with a nice effort.

No. 4: Chris Galippo Makes a Statement on Opening Day

For the last few weeks up until the close of fall camp, the status of middle linebacker Chris Galippo was murky to say the least.

Hobbled by an injured shoulder, Galippo was unable to practice much prompting head coach Lane Kiffin to question his availability for the Minnesota game.

Finally, Galippo was able to return to practice and engage in the hitting that satisfied Kiffin that he was good to go.

And thank goodness for that return to health.

Galippo was the most dominant defensive player on the field after posting 1.5 sacks and several other bone jarring hits in leading his young and inexperienced linebacker corps in a game the Trojans had to have.

If Galippo can lead his team and play that way the rest of the year, the Trojans defense will be just fine.

No. 3: Matt Barkley Starts 2011 off Right

The line: 34-of-45 for 304 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Despite some complaints (mine included) about Matt Barkley's inability to lead to a second half game cementing score, the above mentioned line is a good effort by any measure.

Especially in the first half, Barkley was crisp and efficient, thanks largely to wide receiver Robert Woods (more on him later).

And it should be noted that Barkley had at least five passes dropped including a 30-plus yard toss by tight end Xavier Grimble.

And I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge that those 34 completions set a new Trojan record for completions but the big stat was that he threw no picks in so many attempts.

If Barkley can repeat this effort throughout the year and the offensive line can open some holes for the running game, the Trojans offense will be alright in 2011.

No. 2: At Least There Were No Major Injuries in the Game

As bad as this game was, it could have been worse. Much worse.

Of course, the Trojans very easily could have lost the game but in addition to that, they could have suffered a major injury to one or more key players.

That neither a loss nor significant injuries didn't occur is a blessing.

In a season where pretty much everything will have to go right in order for the Trojans to have the kind of campaign they desire, it will take a healthy roster to accomplish it.

Despite the normal nicks and bruises inherent to the game itself, the Trojans emerged in pretty good shape.

And that should make Trojan fans smile for sure.

No. 1: Robert Woods and His Record Day

This just in from the department of the bloody obvious:

Robert Woods had a very nice game against Minnesota.

Woods, who broke Johnnie Morton's USC record of 15 receptions in a game (Interesting that I chatted with Morton about his record only a couple of months ago when he reached out to me to acknowledge a story I wrote that mentioned his accomplishment) was completely on fire against Minnesota, especially in the first half.

When it was all over, Woods had 177 yards on 17 receptions along with three touchdowns.

For a receiver who is only playing the first game of his sophomore season, Woods produces like an All-American, which he made last year on their freshman list.

Now it looks like he is going to make a run at regular All-American honors and if Saturday's game is any indication, he might just find himself in the Heisman conversation too.

Conclusion

In the final analysis, there really was not a whole to smile about in the Minnesota game.

This slide show endeavored to glean something, anything, that Trojan fans could find of the positive nature stemming from this contest.

If not for the inspired play of Robert Woods, not only would the smiles be diminished but would have been replaced by an abundance of frowns because the Trojans most certainly would have lost.

If Lane Kiffin doesn't find a way to improve not only his team but himself as a coach as well, next week will find the Trojans a .500 squad.

This was not the way the season was supposed to unfold and some soul searching will be in order to ensure that that smiles remain on Trojan fans faces for the rest of the season.