5 key numbers from USC’s 30-7 win over San Jose State: penalties, turnover points, down & distance, the Drake London Show, yds per reception…
4
That’s how many penalties USC had on the game. That’s an impressive number for the first week of the season, and for a USC team that’s been criticized for discipline issues for years.
14
That’s how points USC scored off turnovers, first a Drake Jackson interception that turned into a touchdown pass and the second Greg Johnson’s pick-six. With the way the USC offense struggled to move the ball for much of the game, it’s not hard to see this game going a different direction if not for these turning-point plays by the defense.
7.3
That was the average down-and-distance for USC on third down. It was a major factor for why so many USC drives stalled in the second and third quarters, and in the red zone.
2
That’s how many pass attempts went to receivers not named Drake London or Tahj Washington. K.D. Nixon and Joseph Manjack IV got exactly one target each, neither able to come down with the ball, albeit Manjack never got the opportunity given the ball was batted down at the line of scrimmage the one time QB Kedon Slovis threw his way. USC needs a more balanced attack to be able to thrive this season.
10.7
That’s how many yards per reception USC averaged. That’s right in line with last year’s average, but below the 12 per catch that USC averaged in 2019. It might have had something to do with San Jose State’s predilection for dropping eight in coverage, but it’s a number USC would like to see go up as the season progresses.
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