USC Football: Trojans Get First Road Win but They Still Have a Long Way To Go

Well, a win is a win right?

The USC Trojans got their first road victory of 2011 but it wasn't as easy as it should have been.

Despite five turnovers by the California Bears, along with a failed fake punt, the Trojans still only found themselves up by a measly two touchdowns into the fourth quarter of a 30-9 victory on Thursday night.

And in struggling to win a game they should have won handily, they once again laid bare the same issues that have haunted them for most of this season.

Namely, when will the Trojans put together a complete game?

For the first couple of games, the offense struggled mightily as the defense came to its rescue in wins against Minnesota and Utah.

Then, the offense finally found its way and the defense took a vacation against the Arizona schools.

Against Cal, it was the offenses turn once again to disappear.

Now, on the surface, those 30 points look pretty good but in reality looks can be deceiving.

Working against a Cal secondary that has been anything but dominant this year, Matt Barkley could only reach into his pocket for 195 yards and the magical combination of Barkley to Robert Woods was largely missing in action in this game.

Sure, the two touchdowns Barkley threw were nice and he managed a clean passing game with no interceptions, but something was missing.

Speaking of missing, so was the Trojans running game until Curtis McNeal entered the game.

Of course, the main reason that young McNeal was able to show his wares was because starting tailback Marc Tyler separated his shoulder in the second half.

Now we will see if McNeal can keep it up because he will surely take the reigns going forward for the foreseeable future.

Still, for a young team seeking its identity, a win of any sort, especially on the road, is a big step forward.

And though this win seemed somewhat unsatisfying in some areas, the Trojans will take it gratefully.

Now they will focus on fixing whats broken before they venture to South Bend two Saturdays from now to take on the resurgent Irish.

But they still have a long ways to go.

And only nine days to get there.