Reign of Troy
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USC vs Alabama Report Card: Grading the Trojan Offense

By Alicia de Artola

Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Max Browne (4) on the phone during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Max Browne (4) on the phone during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Trojan offense was nowhere to be found during the USC vs Alabama game at AT&T Stadium, failing to score a touchdown in the 52-6 thrashing.

USC’s opening night was a forgettable one for the Trojan offense. Or a waking nightmare.

Facing one of the nation’s top defenses, the offense crumbled. They failed to find the endzone, salvaging a potential shut out with two field goals.

It was not a banner day for Clay Helton and offensive coordinator Tee Martin.

Here’s how each offensive unit graded out against the Crimson Tide:

D.

There were a lot of things not to like from the performance of USC’s quarterbacks, beginning with the fact they combined for just 130 yards on 48 percent passing.

Max Browne threw an interception, an ill-advised pass into coverage which was tipped up, caught by cornerback Marlon Humphrey and returned for a touchdown.

When he came in, Sam Darnold did not seem to have any answers either, throwing for 29 yards on the day.

Still, the context of this match up could not have been more difficult — a season opener and first career start against the No. 1 team in the country. A D-grade may be generous, but neither quarterback enjoyed much protection, so they’ll get the slightest benefit of the doubt.

. Standout. Max Browne. QUARTERBACK

RUNNING BACK. C.

How do you grade a position that finished with paltry numbers but wasn’t particularly at fault for them?

The official stat line says the Trojan rushers had a net gain of 64 yards, but they accounted for just 11 of USC’s negative rushing yards, so really it was slightly-respectable 101 yards gained on the ground.

Granted, USC had five yards on five carries at half time, which is a trouble stat on its own.

Ronald Jones II, Aca’Cedric Ware and Justin Davis might have been impotent against Alabama with a strong offensive line performance, but they never actually got the chance to prove their capabilities, met in the backfield as they were regularly.

Someone who watched the game might recall a single rushing play for USC which included a reasonable hole for a running back to hit — the one carry Jones took 46 yards.

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C

How do you grade a position that finished with paltry numbers but wasn’t particularly at fault for them?

The official stat line says the Trojan rushers had a net gain of 64 yards, but they accounted for just 11 of USC’s negative rushing yards, so really it was slightly-respectable 101 yards gained on the ground.

Granted, USC had five yards on five carries at half time, which is a trouble stat on its own.

Ronald Jones II, Aca’Cedric Ware and Justin Davis might have been impotent against Alabama with a strong offensive line performance, but they never actually got the chance to prove their capabilities, met in the backfield as they were regularly.

Someone who watched the game might recall a single rushing play for USC which included a reasonable hole for a running back to hit — the one carry Jones took 46 yards.

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