ASU @ USC

[Brian in Mesa]

Way to go, Devils !!!

 

[Drop D]

That was a strong finish!

 

[Absolute Zero]

Not looking forward to the Bercovici era.

 

[Mathew81]

Wow... What an unbelievable day in college football (not to mention that 18 inning record breaker in the Giants/Nats game). Don't think I have ever seen a day like it, ever!
Great win for the Devils. And tremendous performance by Berc. Our defense will ensure we will always struggle for wins, but man is our offense a machine... With the exception of our run game. Now that we are playing real teams, we suddenly can't run the ball anymore... So no run game and no defense spells trouble the rest of the way...

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Kelly not being in there really hurts the running game. Defenses can just key on the RB because Berco isn't going to run it.

 

[Absolute Zero]

I agree with TJ... Though, truth be told, I felt ASU was going to get demolished even before Berc provided the bulletin board material...

So, I guess I'll have to revise my earlier prediction and take USC's point total to over 60... Let's call it:

USC: 65
ASU: 21

Growing up can often times be painful...

Great win by ASU. The Defense still looked suspect, but better than last week. Our team with the great "lack of talent" never gave up and stayed within reach until the end. Even after the 53 yard run TD by Allen in the 4th, no one gave up.

I don't know, it sure looked like Berco, Strong and Foster (receiving) showed quite a bit of talent to me, as did our offensive line in pass protection.

Since Berco is not a running threat like Kelly, both UCLA and USC have been able to Key on Foster and stop our running game. The result tonight was over 500 yards in passing and 5 td's through the air.

Jalen Strong is one of the best wide receivers in the country and he showed it last night. 10 catches, 202 yards and 3 TD's.

I watched portions of the Stanford ND game and saw Stanford earlier in the year lose to USC. They are big and strong up front, but they are definitely beatable.

They are saying Kelly will be back against Stanford. I have mixed feelings about that. It will help our run game in this offense as the D won't be able to sell out against Foster. Kelly will have to be healthy enough to keep the ball on the option and pick up yardage on the ground.

I just don't know if that recipe will be as explosive as having Berco back there throwing for 5 TD's and 500 yards.

Prior to last night, USC had not given up a passing touchdown all year. Say what you will about ASU not having any talent, but we just destroyed one of the best defenses in the country last night.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Great win by ASU. The Defense still looked suspect, but better than last week. Our team with the great "lack of talent" never gave up and stayed within reach until the end. Even after the 53 yard run TD by Allen in the 4th, no one gave up.



I don't know, it sure looked like Berco, Strong and Foster (receiving) showed quite a bit of talent to me, as did our offensive line in pass protection.



Since Berco is not a running threat like Kelly, both UCLA and USC have been able to Key on Foster and stop our running game. The result tonight was over 500 yards in passing and 5 td's through the air.



Jalen Strong is one of the best wide receivers in the country and he showed it last night. 10 catches, 202 yards and 3 TD's.



I watched portions of the Stanford ND game and saw Stanford earlier in the year lose to USC. They are big and strong up front, but they are definitely beatable.



They are saying Kelly will be back against Stanford. I have mixed feelings about that. It will help our run game in this offense as the D won't be able to sell out against Foster. Kelly will have to be healthy enough to keep the ball on the option and pick up yardage on the ground.



I just don't know if that recipe will be as explosive as having Berco back there throwing for 5 TD's and 500 yards.



Prior to last night, USC had not given up a passing touchdown all year. Say what you will about ASU not having any talent, but we just destroyed one of the best defenses in the country last night.

Like I said, it was a tremendous win for the Devils. But I will stick to my points when I said that our defense has zero playmakers and little talent... USC's defense had a horrific game and combined with our passing game, it created the chance for the upset.
I never questioned the talent we have on offense. I've said all along that Strong, Foster, Kelly and Ballage are legit elite talents. Berc is very good as well but he's not nearly as multi-dimensional as is Kelly - who, even with his multi-dimensional threats will never play in the NFL...
My issue with Strong has always been his heart. But if/when he's giving it his all, he's a terrific talent.
Graham got this team prepared and they probably played as well as this team could, while USC didn't... Tremendous job by Graham who proved he's an extremely effective coach.
But don't kid yourself... Our defense will haunt this team all year long... Next year they should be better, though, I wonder what we'll have to replace guys like Strong and Foster on offense...


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[devilalum]

Kelly not being in there really hurts the running game. Defenses can just key on the RB because Berco isn't going to run it.

Berc NEVER makes the correct read on the read option. If he was going to be the full time QB they'd need to change the offense. He's an awesome passer, they'd need to run a west coast or a pro set type of thing to get the most.

 

[Iceman]

Deadspin posted Tim Healey's call: http://deadspin.com/arizona-state-upsets-usc-with-miracle-hail-mary-1642589660/all

Jaelen Strong outta nowhere!

Also, the gaping mouths on the USC fans in the video are hilarious. (First clip on that same page.)

What makes this even more special, is this was Tim healy's 200th football radio game. What a way to celebrate a milestone!

 

[asuhoopsnut]

Like I said, it was a tremendous win for the Devils. But I will stick to my points when I said that our defense has zero playmakers and little talent... USC's defense had a horrific game and combined with our passing game, it created the chance for the upset.
I never questioned the talent we have on offense. I've said all along that Strong, Foster, Kelly and Ballage are legit elite talents. Berc is very good as well but he's not nearly as multi-dimensional as is Kelly - who, even with his multi-dimensional threats will never play in the NFL...
My issue with Strong has always been his heart. But if/when he's giving it his all, he's a terrific talent.
Graham got this team prepared and they probably played as well as this team could, while USC didn't... Tremendous job by Graham who proved he's an extremely effective coach.
But don't kid yourself... Our defense will haunt this team all year long... Next year they should be better, though, I wonder what we'll have to replace guys like Strong and Foster on offense...


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Foster will still be there next year. Strong will probably enter the draft after this year (Junior Year).

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Being a UA Californian you definitely gain more animosity towards USC than ASU since you have to hear their nonsense all the time and last night was beautiful in that regard. They were convinced that their program was back. Unfortunately for them to have a great program you generally need a great coach. Lost in both Arizona and ASU's Hail Mary wins is how atrocious of game managers Sonny Dykes and Steve Sarkisian are.

 

[Jay Cardinal]

What a game. The defense leaves a lot to be desired, but Jordan Simone and Demarious Randall were awesome out there. Probably the only two Sun Devils that know how to tackle, they combined for over 30 tackles. Not good when your leading tacklers are the safeties. I did feel the defensive playcalling was better than against UCLA and was able to dial up some pressure a couple of times.

USC got some unbelievably favorable calls including the acting job by the kicker (happened in the UCLA-Utah game as well, must be a Hollywood/S.California thing), a Strong fumble that was not even reviewed after being called an incomplete pass, and a whole bunch of holding and pass interference no-calls on defense.

Both teams dropped a ton of passes. USC and ASU probably left 4 touchdowns on the field due to dropped passes. Todd Graham blew all the timeouts in both halves again this game. Twice only 10 people went out on defense during third down. Very frustrating to watch, but I understand why you have to call a timeout.

Berco was awesome out there. Arguably the best game in ASU football QB history with 500+ yards, 5 TDs, no pics, and seriously clutch play. He brings a TON to the table with a very strong arm, willingness to stay in the pocket, and the accuracy/power to throw the ball into tight spaces. He really adds a ton to this offense. I understand he isn't a running threat, but I think it is much more difficult to defend against a top tier passing QB (Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees) than a top tier running QB (Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick). He has won me over with this performance and has me pumped for next year's team as well.

Strong was incredible out there. They were all over him and he still made grabs and got open. I almost felt bad for USC DB Seymour, because he was completely abused out there, all game long. DJ did a good job getting open in the pass game because it wasn't happening in the run game. Off-tackle and outside runs work well against the big USC D-lineman, but they are very tough to run against straight up the middle. I was surprised the coaches didn't notice this, it seemed pretty obvious to me. I also liked the development of WR's Cameron Smith, Gary Chambers and TE Kody Kohl. I think they will combine with the redshirt 4-stars Tyler Whiley and Jalen Harvey to give us some sort of a receiving core after Strong goes to the NFL next year.

 

[Jay Cardinal]

That can't be. Their sideline cheerleading and dancing routines seemed very well coordinated.

Silliest sideline performance since our buddies down in Tucson a couple years ago....

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[Mainstreet]

The USC sideline performance seemed orchestrated. I'm surprised their coaches condone or allow this type of behavior. Cheering a play or win is much different than this. How does this happen? If this is common in Division 1 football, I have missed it.

 

[Absolute Zero]

Amazing game, I think that was the first time we beat USC in the Coliseum since 1999. Awesome that we have now beat them 2 years in a row.

 

[Mathew81]

The USC sideline performance seemed orchestrated.

Because it was. The announcers said Sarkisian was not happy with the lack of emotion on the sideline the previous week. So this week they did this overly forced, fake celebrating to make up for it.

 

[Buckybird]

And to think...plenty of ASU peeps were booing the hiring of my old HS buddy Todd just 3 short years ago. Told you guys he's a winner. Too bad he isn't coaching my Horns down in Austin. Good win fellas!!!

 

[Brian]

And to think...plenty of ASU peeps were booing the hiring of my old HS buddy Todd just 3 short years ago. Told you guys he's a winner. Too bad he isn't coaching my Horns down in Austin. Good win fellas!!!

I'd hold off on that just yet. Graham coaches the defense and special teams. Two facets of the game that haven't exactly been stellar since he's been here.

ASU under Graham has been crap in big games. Stanford (twice), Notre Dame, Texas Tech, barely beat Wisconsin on a fluke, and USC on a prayer.

ASU under Graham has been all about Coach Norvell.

I'm saying that as a huge ASU fan, but just trying to keep it real.

 

[Mainstreet]

Because it was. The announcers said Sarkisian was not happy with the lack of emotion on the sideline the previous week. So this week they did this overly forced, fake celebrating to make up for it.

Interesting.

As a head coach I would want my players to keep their mind in the game rather than be part of the cheer leading squad. If the sideline line players lack emotion and intensity, there is something more deeply wrong with the team.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I'd hold off on that just yet. Graham coaches the defense and special teams. Two facets of the game that haven't exactly been stellar since he's been here.

ASU under Graham has been crap in big games. Stanford (twice), Notre Dame, Texas Tech, barely beat Wisconsin on a fluke, and USC on a prayer.

ASU under Graham has been all about Coach Norvell.

I'm saying that as a huge ASU fan, but just trying to keep it real.

I've been sorta leaning in this direction... however, the head coach is the ultimate leader of the TEAM, not just a unit. And, there are many reports starting to surface that Graham gave one of the most amazing post-game speeches after the USC win on Saturday. Apparently, he barely mentioned the game itself, but using Berc's story as a foundation, talked about how in life, not just sports, you should never give up on a friend and then went deeper and talked about as men, you should never give up on your wife...
Pretty cool...

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Interesting.

As a head coach I would want my players to keep their mind in the game rather than be part of the cheer leading squad. If the sideline line players lack emotion and intensity, there is something more deeply wrong with the team.

Most of those guys appeared to be walk-on types. However Sark should have been focused on teaching one of them how to long snap not cheer like idiots so he could have punted the ball at the end and won the game.

 

[Absolute Zero]

I've been sorta leaning in this direction... however, the head coach is the ultimate leader of the TEAM, not just a unit. And, there are many reports starting to surface that Graham gave one of the most amazing post-game speeches after the USC win on Saturday. Apparently, he barely mentioned the game itself, but using Berc's story as a foundation, talked about how in life, not just sports, you should never give up on a friend and then went deeper and talked about as men, you should never give up on your wife...
Pretty cool...

Here's the speech
http://www.arizonasports.com/44/1772182/ASU-coach-Todd-Grahams-post-Hail-Mary-locker-room-speech

 

[82CardsGrad]

Here's the speech
http://www.arizonasports.com/44/1772182/ASU-coach-Todd-Grahams-post-Hail-Mary-locker-room-speech

AWESOME!