USC vs. ASU Report Card: Grading the Trojan Defense

The USC defense suffered a devastating meltdown in Saturday’s 38-34 loss to Arizona State, giving up two touchdowns in the final three minutes while protecting a nine point lead.

Though they had excelled in the four games prior in defending the pass, the Trojans gave up 510 yards to Mike Bercovici and the Sun Devil air attack. Adding insult to injury, after standing as the last team in college football to not concede a touchdown pass in 2014, the men of Troy gave up five such scores against ASU.

Here’s our report card for the USC defense in week six.

B.
The Trojan defensive line had a test on their hands against D.J. Foster and the Arizona State rushing attack. They answered the call and more, holding the Sun Devils to their worst performance since 2011. Limiting Foster to 20 yards on the ground, the defense forced the ASU offense to become one-dimensional.
Unfortunately, the unit did not do enough to pacify Bercovici in the passing game. Both sacks on the night were logged by linebackers and the line failed to get much meaningful pressure on the quarterback on their own.
Antwaun Woods, Claude Pelon and Delvon Simmons were challenged by the coaches in the week to be more active, but none of them really answered the call.
J.R. Tavai led the group with six tackles and a pass break up.
. Standout. J.R. Tavai. DEFENSIVE LINE

It looked like the game against ASU could become the Su’a Cravens show all over again as the hybrid linebacker dominated the Sun Devil offense in the opening quarter to the tune of five tackes, a sack and 3.5 tackles for loss.

Unfortunately the show didn’t last as the sophomore was unheard of for the remainder of the game.

Anthony Sarao had his hands full chasing after D.J. Foster and the ASU receivers he was match up against. Though he did break up one pass, he mostly lost those battles.

Scott Felix showed up late with a sack which might have ended the contest, but it was wiped out due to defensive holding. He got the sack back a bit later but the Sun Devils still scored on the drive.

Hayes Pullard led the team with nine tackles and a tackle-for-loss. Still, he’ll only be remember for his terrible defense on the final Hail Mary play as he sat back and prepared to catch the incoming ball like a punt instead of knocking it down and out of harms way.

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C

It looked like the game against ASU could become the Su’a Cravens show all over again as the hybrid linebacker dominated the Sun Devil offense in the opening quarter to the tune of five tackes, a sack and 3.5 tackles for loss.

Unfortunately the show didn’t last as the sophomore was unheard of for the remainder of the game.

Anthony Sarao had his hands full chasing after D.J. Foster and the ASU receivers he was match up against. Though he did break up one pass, he mostly lost those battles.

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