Talk about a game of two halves.
In the first half, it seemed that USC's Robert Woods and Matt Barkley were unstoppable, connecting on three USC touchdowns. USC's defense looked fresh and grabbed a bunch of tackles for a loss and sacking starting quarterback Marqueis Gray.
Then came halftime -- one team adjusted, the other didn't.
Minnesota changed up its defense and played close to the line, jumping on receivers and stopping the wide receiver bubble screen play dead in its tracks. Meanwhile, USC's defense seemed to be slightly confused when Minnesota players went into motion, not sure of who was responsible for each receiver, and a repeat of last year's theme: missed tackles.
Props to the Gophers whose golden freshman backup quarterback came into the game in relief of an injured Gray in the middle of the 4th quarter, and poked holes in USC's defense to bring them back, late. Fortunately for USC, cornerback Torin Harris redeemed himself after giving up a touchdown in the fourth quarter, because of a missed tackle at the Trojans 4 yard line. With a minute to go in the game and after USC had to punt the ball away, Harris pulled in an interception to seal the game.
What to like: Robert Woods broke the all-time USC single-game reception record held by Johnny Morton since 1993 with 17 catches for 177 yards, and Barkley threw for 305 yards and 3 touchdowns. Also, Harris came through in the end.
What not to like: Missed tackles including the one given up by Harris, the defense was confused at times, receivers dropped some balls, and Barkley faded in the second half (completion rate by the quarter: 82% - 100% - 67% - 60%). Even the coaching was uneven at times.
At least: They didn't embarrass the PAC-12 by losing. How lame is it, that UCLA lost to Houston, and Oregon State lost to FCS Sacramento State in overtime?
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