| 21 November 2011
The SC game turned out to be the trap, the let down, and the terrible, no good very bad day of the PAC-12 regular season for the Ducks. After clearing Washington and Stanford beautifully they stumbled awkwardly against the Trojans in every phase of the game. A last second loss resulted, one full of missed opportunities. For diehard fans, it's been a weekend of commiseration and second guesses.
Here's a look at the keys to the game, keeping in mind that the point at this point is to play better going forward, be a team that grows and rises above its adversity. How they respond, rather than this loss, will be the measure of the 2011 Ducks. A third conference title and a Rose Bowl win are still possible, representing a tremendously successful season.
photo right: Matt Barkley celebrates with his teammates and a slim contingent of Trojan fans after conquering Autzen Stadium in what may be the highlight of his college career. (Patrick Gee photo, usctrojans.com)
Make Matt Barkley cry
The Ducks didn't pressure Barkley; they coronated him. He got to lead the Trojan band in the fight song and have an evening of glory and adulation, along with his last laugh in Autzen Stadium. Barkley proved himself right: the Ducks weren't as good this year as they have been previously.
Oregon didn't get any pressure on the Trojan quarterback, managing just one sack, and he was able to carve up a young secondary with his talented wide receivers, throwing four touchdowns that were simply too easy, tossing perfect passes for big gains whenever he needed them. He wasn't harrassed, hurried or bothered, though the defense did get to him for one interception and two fumbles, nearly turning the tables on him in the fourth quarter.
Grade: D-
Let LaMichael James fly
In the Ducks two previous games against USC, both wins, LaMichael James was the best player on the field. Last night it was Matt Barkley. James was thoroughly grounded by the Trojan defense, held to 20 carries for 78 yards, 3.9 yards a carry, with a long run of nine yards. He had a brutally costly fumble at the end of the first half, taking a hit directly to the ball and his braced elbow as he tried a spin move just inside the Trojan ten. James never found his balance or room to run in this game. The young, athletic Trojan linebackers contained him beautifully, with Kenjon Barner having much more success once he took over in the second half. Barner led all rushers with 15 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns, the minimum day, along with a win, James would have needed to stay in the Heisman Trophy conversation.
Grade: F
Make Monte Kiffin sigh
Monte and Lane Kiffin had their best night of PAC-12 coaching in Autzen Stadium last night. They confused and frustrated the Ducks, and stayed one step ahead of the Oregon staff all night. The Ducks longest run was 19 yards. They contained the zone read and forced Darron Thomas to pass, and hurried him in to several poor throws when he did. Their team was better prepared, executed better and won the line of scrimmage. The Ducks helped the Kiffins with two fumbles in the red zone, dropped and misfired passes and a blocked punt. Oddly, the Ducks won the battle of turnovers, 3 to 2, but didn't do anything with their turnovers while costing themselves two scores.
Grade: F
Give The Black Momba a proper piece of the pie
Thomas broke loose for a 29-yard touchdown reception and two sensational kick returns, one for 96 yards and a score, the other tripped up by a shoestring tackle. The touchdowns gave him 15 for the season, a freshman record, and easily made him one of the stars of the game. Yet it has to be said: DAT had 3 carries and 3 pass receptions, and with Oregon continuing to struggle get open and completing plays downfield, you wonder why they don't throw him the ball 6-8 times a game. If Darron Thomas had properly led him on the last touchdown drive, he had a very good chance to win the game, wide open on an underthrown ball he had to dive for. Still, three big plays from a player the Trojans had to primed to stop is pretty impressive.
Grade: B (Baby DT was fabulous, Oregon's best weapon along with Barner, but they should have used him more, particularly in the passing game. Those tunnel and bubble screens they throw? They used those effectively all night for first downs, but with Thomas on the receiving end, one or two might have been touchdowns.)
Punch the upset monster in the eye
Sadly, the Ducks fell victim to every classic blunder in this game outside of getting involved in a land war in Asia. They had a slow start. They appeared sluggish, off-tempo, out of rhythm a little and overlooked the Trojans a little. They were outplayed and outblocked at the line of scrimmage. They had costly turnovers, lost one-on-one matchups and trapped themselves in the game USC wanted to play. They mismanaged the clock at the end. Oregon didn't play like a Top Five team, and fell victim to the upset mojo that won the weekend in college football, paving the way to an All-SEC top three in the BCS standings.
Grade: F
The loss was a failure in preparation, focus and execution, but it doesn't define this team. How they respond is the measuring stick. With Oregon State coming to Autzen Stadium in six days, fans, coaches and players have to accept the painful lessons of a wide left night, turning the page to the 116th Civil War. Beating the Beavers never gets old. or automatic.
