USC Football: Winners and Losers vs. Arizona Wildcats

It was a much-needed win for the USC Trojans—not for standings and rankings, but for pride and to help ease the pressure on the head coaches’ shoulders.

The Trojans came into this game as big favorites over the visiting Wildcats, and they were able to squeak out a 48-41 victory over Arizona.

This was a classic Pac-12 South matchup with bragging rights on the line.

There were highlights and lowlights from the game, and here are the winners and losers for the Trojans.

Winner: Matt Barkley

It’s well known that Matt Barkley is one of the top quarterbacks in the Pac-12, and he played like it against the Wildcats.

Barkley completed 32-of-39 passes for 468 yards, with four touchdowns to one interception.

Nine Trojan receivers brought in passes, as Barkley was able to patiently wait for his targets to get open.

Barkley also had a rushing touchdown on the day to add to his other four. 

Loser: Trojans’ Run Defense and Pass Defense (Minus T.J. McDonald)

I don’t want to rip on the Trojans defense too much, because such a high percentage of the yardage and points came late in the game when USC dropped back into a prevent mode, but the numbers alone don’t look good.

On the ground, the Trojans allowed the Wildcats to rush for 129 yards and two touchdowns. That doesn’t sound that bad, but keep in mind that the Wildcats have the worst run game in the Pac-12 and the 114th worse in the entire country.

The secondary allowed Arizona quarterback Nick Foles to pass for 425 yards, as Foles completed 41-of-53 passes (77.4 percent). The Trojans defense needs to get better before they face the likes of Stanford and Oregon.

Winner: T.J. McDonald

As mentioned in the previous slide, the one player on defense that really shined was T.J. McDonald. In the game, McDonald picked off both of Nick Foles interceptions and was absolutely all over the field.

Both safeties were beat several times, but so was every defensive back.

McDonald is the best safety in the Pac-12, and he played like it.

Loser: Marc Tyler

It boggles my mind how Tyler has played so far in 2011. After a suspension to begin the season for comments made this offseason, Tyler hasn’t been able to find his groove and really make a dent in production for the offense.

Today against the Wildcats, Tyler rushed for just 35 yards on 11 carries (3.2 yards per carry). Curtis McNeal was the only Trojan back that was able to show any production, rushing for 74 yards on seven carries (long of 44).

Winner: Robert Woods

Each week, I think there is no way teams will continue to allow Woods to put over 200 yards of production. Each week, I get proven wrong.

Woods had yet another huge game for the Trojans, bringing in 14 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Some will say that Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina) or Justin Blackmon (OK State) or Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma) is the best wide receiver in the country, but I’ll take Robert Woods every time.

Nobody has proven they can stop Woods, and I will not doubt him again. Props to you Robert Woods.