I don’t care whom you’re taking part in.
Seven-hundred fifty-five yards are lots of yards.
That’s how a lot USC gained throughout its 59-20 victory over Georgia Southern on Saturday.
One-hundred thirty-two factors are lots of factors.
USC receiver Ja’Kobi Lane evades Georgia Southern defensive again Tracy Hill Jr. in the course of the Trojans’ win Saturday on the Coliseum.
(Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Instances)
That’s how a lot USC has scored in its two video games this season, together with its blowout victory over Missouri State the week earlier than.
If you wish to imagine the Trojans are higher than they had been of their earlier two seasons, there are developments that might additional persuade you that you simply’re proper. If you wish to imagine Lincoln Riley has elevated his workforce from mediocrity, there are statistics you possibly can cite to assist your observations.
There’s additionally proof on the contrary, in fact.
The 2 video games USC has performed this season had been roughly Rorschach exams.
The one indeniable reality to emerge was that Trojans receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane could be severe issues for each one in every of their opponents.
All the things else remained up for debate.
Whenever you watched the Trojans trample over former Clay Helton’s Eagles on the Coliseum, had been you inspired by how quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 412 yards or involved how badly he misfired on among the handful of passes he didn’t full?
Was your breath taken away by how Waymond Jordan modified course in his 167-yard efficiency or did you gasp in horror when he fumbled on the opening drive?
Have been you heartened by how USC scored each time it was within the purple zone or alarmed by its three separate illegal-use-of-hands penalties on protection?
Did you see the 39-point margin of victory as a sign the Trojans are able to tackle the massive boys or Georgia Southern’s 4 consecutive drives into their territory within the first half as an indication they’ll encounter hassle when the extent of competitors improves?
Riley was extra measured in praising his workforce than he was per week in the past.
“Positively numerous positives to take out of it,” Riley stated.
Nevertheless …
“A number of issues we have now to wash up,” he stated. “We had a few errors, I believed, particularly with penalties the place we have now to be higher as a soccer workforce, extra disciplined as a soccer workforce.”
Riley warned his workforce of the results of failing to enhance.
“It’s like I instructed the fellows final night time, there have been performs we made final week that some weeks the place if we’re not cleaner after we play extra gifted groups, the outcomes are going to appear like that,” he stated. “And, so, we have now to take a look at it via the lens of, ‘Did we do our greatest?’ We’re nonetheless an extended methods off our greatest. That’s the No. 1 factor that confirmed up.”
Riley has sounded tone deaf at instances throughout his three-plus years at USC, however this wasn’t one in every of them.
Errors could possibly be punished by Michigan State, which can current the Trojans with their first actual check on Sept. 20.
Errors could possibly be punished by Illinois and Notre Dame and Oregon.
USC coach Lincoln Riley directs his workforce from the sideline in the course of the Trojans’ win over Georgia Southern Saturday.
(Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Instances)
Errors most likely gained’t be punished by UCLA, which has been was an entire Dumpster fireplace by athletic director Martin Jarmond, however that’s one other story for one more day.
For what it’s value, Georgia Southern’s coach supplied an optimistic view of USC’s ceiling. Helton was the Trojans’ head coach for five-plus seasons and nonetheless follows this system.
“I’ll inform you what, it’s a greater personnel workforce than final yr, particularly, I believe, offensively,” Helton stated.
He pointed particularly to receivers Lemon and Lane, and working backs Jordan and Eli Sanders.
“And the quarterback [Maiava] is taking part in actually, actually inside himself. You possibly can see reps and expertise matter,” Helton continued. “I’ve at all times thought that, and the expertise he had final yr, you see his development.
“They’ve received a great scenario right here. You possibly can see the adjustments which were produced from final yr’s personnel group to this yr’s personnel group, and speaking with Coach Riley, I do know he’s blissful. He’s getting the chance to educate much more, he stated, and you may see it. You possibly can see it on tape.”
Helton nonetheless considers himself a champion of USC, and what he noticed the Trojans do towards his workforce on Saturday night time gave him hope for what they could have the ability to accomplish this season.
“I hope,” Helton stated, “they go win all of it.”
