USC vs Colorado Report Card 2016: Grading the Trojan Defense

The tale of the tape for USC vs Colorado shows a dominant performance by the Trojan defense from the front line to the back row.

Facing one of the more potent offenses in the Pac-12 this season, USC knew it would take a big day on defense to slow Colorado down.

That’s exactly what the Trojans got as the Buffaloes were held to season lows in scoring and passer rating while only Michigan held Colorado to lower yardage.

With such a disciplined performance, USC’s defense held on just long enough to secure the 21-17 victory.

SEE ALSO: Grading the Trojan Offense vs Colorado

Here’s how each defensive unit graded out against the Buffaloes:

During Trojans Live on Monday night, head coach Clay Helton noted that defensive lineman Rasheem Green thrived with one-on-one match ups against spread teams. It was certainly clear against Colorado as the sophomore big man was third on the team with seven tackles, including a half sack. He was key to keeping the Buffalo rushing game in check, limiting quarterback scrambling chances and general causing havoc in the trenches.

Fellow lineman Malik Dorton picked a good time to log his first sack of the year, forcing quarterback Steven Montez into an intentional grounding penalty to force a third-and-39 and eventual Colorado punt in the first quarter.

Facing another spread attack, USC’s linebackers had a pivotal task to disrupt the Buffalo offense and they did just that.

Uchenna Nwosu had another standout performance as he continues to grow into his new position. The linebacker, who led the Trojans in tackles with ten, was active from the get-go, breaking up a pass at the line on the second play from scrimmage. He was also there on Colorado’s last offensive play of the game, sacking Montez to force the Buffaloes into taking a field goal instead of tying the game with a touchdown.

Porter Gustin also batted a pass while on the inside Michael Hutchings and Cameron Smith each contributed on the blitz with a half sack for the former and a full sack for the latter.

Adoree’ Jackson’s performance earned him the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week Award, in large part because his interception of Montez was as impressive as it was critical.

The cornerback made the leaping grab on a ball Montez may have intended to throw away then managed to tap his toe just inbound to complete the feat. The turnover came just as USC was still reeling from three consecutive giveaways and slowed the Buffaloes momentum.

Fellow cornerback Iman Marshall was second on the team with nine tackles — most of which were on short completions and extended handoffs to the outside. He also broke up three passes on a generally strong day. However, he was responsible for a facemask penalty, one of just two flags drawn against the Trojans.

Leon McQuay was stout, sniffing out the line of scrimmage for a tackle for loss. Meanwhile, Chris Hawkins once again proved adept on the safety blitz, hurrying Montez into an incompletion on third down after USC’s failed fourth-down conversion in the third quarter.

Another spread attack faced, another top drawer defensive performance from Clancy Pendergast’s squad.

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The defensive coordinator utilized well-timed blitzes to keep the pressure on Montez, and Liufau when he entered the game briefly, preventing the Buffaloes from finding their groove. It was controlled aggression, keeping the Trojans from being too vulnerable on big play opportunities.

Of course, the Buffaloes did get their moment in, deploying a trick play to smash USC in the mouth after Sam Darnold’s third quarter fumble. A perfect pass from running back Phillip Lindsey had Bryce Bobo jogging into the endzone with ease for a 67-yard score.

It no doubt concerns Pendergast to see his team fall prey like that, but the momentary lapse didn’t undo the hard work of USC’s defenders up to that point. When the Trojan offense coughed the ball up again, the defense kept their wits about them and got the ball back.

Though they gave up another touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 14, they held when it mattered most in the end — something they could not do two weeks ago at Utah. That’s important progress, the kind that earns straight As.