A “Terrorized” USC O-Line Tries To Recover

The Times of Troy: Michigan loss exposed these weaknesses on USC’s offensive line

USC offensive line coach Josh Henson has a robust discussion with Tobias Raymond

USC OL coach Josh Henson has a robust discussion with OL Tobias Raymond during the LSU game this season. (Robert Gauthier / LAT)

Ryan Kartje (LA Times)  —  Saturday was definitely a day of many emotions, for me included. Being back in the Big House for the first time in a decade brought back a lot of memories of days spent at the stadium with my dad, Kirk, who loved Michigan football more than he loved most things. He passed away earlier this year to a heart attack. He was just 61.

After the game was long over and my story was sent, I went down to the Big House concourse alone. Besides a few people cleaning up on the field, there wasn’t a soul in the giant stadium. So I went to our old section, where my grandpa always got season tickets, and I sat in silence for a few minutes, thinking about my dad and how much those days together meant in retrospect.

It was hard not to have him there. But I know a part of him will always be with the Big House now. And I’m happy to know, with USC in the Big Ten, I’ll be back again to visit soon enough.

I’m not sure Josh Henson would like to make a return trip to Ann Arbor any time soon … or ever.

No one on USC’s staff comes out of the loss to Michigan looking worse than the Trojans offensive line coach, whose unit was terrorized from start to finish by Michigan’s fearsome front.

Redshirt freshman Elijah Paige (6-7, 320, Phoenix Pinnacle, AZ), whose progress at left tackle was the talk of fall camp, was a turnstile on Miller Moss’ blindside, to the point that he had to be benched at halftime, in order for USC to even run its offense.

Paige struggled in pretty much every facet of protection, with speed rushers off the edge and bull rushes on the interior, and clearly lost confidence as the first half went along. For Paige, someone who’s needed a push in the past to ignite his competitive fire, that confidence is crucial. I expect he’ll see Michigan’s Josaiah Stewart in his nightmares for a few days after allowing him four pressures over just 31 first-half snaps.

Will Paige be able to bounce back by next week? Or might Mason Murphy take his spot at left tackle? That’s a major question that needs answering from both Henson and Riley this week.

“I don’t want to pass a lot of judgment until I can sit there and study it,” Riley said. “I know those guys battled.”

Fortunately, it’s my job to pass judgment! And personally, I don’t see how USC could withstand sidelining Paige at a position that was already frighteningly thin. Tobias Raymond, who came to USC as a raw prospect, didn’t look like the answer to USC’s problems in his 45 snaps, even if Riley praised his performance. After Raymond, the only option would be to move Jonah Monheim back to left tackle, while redshirt senior Gino Quinones steps in at center when he’s deemed healthy enough.

Quinones could be needed elsewhere first. Right guard Alani Noa was actually the first USC lineman to be replaced Saturday, and his status as a starter is even more uncertain than Paige. Amos Talalele, who saw 24 snaps as Noa’s backup, could very well get a turn at starter next week.

The truth is no one looked good along USC’s offensive line Saturday. Michigan blitzed only 27% of the time — a particularly low rate for a Wink Martindale defense — but pressured Moss 22 times.

Look, I’m not one to give much credence to Pro Football Focus grades, especially for the offensive line. But against Michigan, USC earned a grade for its pass blocking of eight … out of 100! It was the lowest pass blocking grade PFF had ever recorded for a USC offensive line in its 10 years of grading.

Not exactly an ideal first impression for a team that arrives in a new conference with the reputation of not being physical up front.

That’s on Henson, who came into the season with plans to trust his young linemen’s development, as opposed to adding in the portal.

“At some point, you’re going to take young guys and say, it’s time for that guy to make the jump, make the leap to where he’s performing at a level that’s good enough for us to go win championships,” Henson said in August. “That’s why they call us coach.”

And now, it falls to the coach to figure it out. And fast.

Extra points

USC tight end Lake McRee during a game last season.

USC TE Lake McRee during a game last season. (Kyusung Gong / AP)

  Lost in the aftermath of Michigan’s three big runs was a truly stellar performance from linebacker Eric Gentry, who has quickly established himself this season as the most disruptive player on USC’s defense. It’s a wonder what’s happened with a staff that actually understands him. Gentry had 12 tackles, three of which were for a loss, and even punched out a fumble that seemed, for a brief moment, to secure a win for USC. Working primarily off the edge, Gentry contributed four pressures on just 17 total Michigan dropbacks, a truly insane rate. It baffles me, to this day, that it took this long to figure him out. Maybe Riley should have read my story back in 2022.

—  It was heartbreaking to see Lake McRee in tears on USC’s bench after a Michigan defender tackled him low in the second half Saturday, leaving him writhing on the field. McRee had just worked his way back from an ACL tear he suffered before last year’s Holiday Bowl, his second in four years. It wasn’t clear then he’d even make it back in time for the season. But he did, and through three games, McRee had emerged as Moss’ most trusted receiving option. We don’t know how serious his injury is, but his reaction certainly gives some pause. If he’s forced to miss time, USC would probably turn to Kade Eldridge as the starting tight end,

  Is it possible that Bear Alexander isn’t the game-wrecking force on the interior we thought he was? While the rest of USC’s defensive line has clearly leveled up, Alexander seems to have faded more into the background. He played the same amount as longtime reserve Kobe Pepe, while Gavin Meyer had another strong showing. Neither Riley nor Lynn have offered much on why Alexander’s role keeps shrinking, but his 21 snaps are his fewest in a game since coming to USC.

latimes.com

___________

TrojanDailyBlog members —  We always encourage you to add factual information, insight, divergent opinions, or new topics to the TDB that don’t necessarily pertain to any particular moderator post or member comment.

 

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Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 24, 2024 8:35 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Week 4 Playoff seedings
First round bye; 1 Texas 2 Ohio St 3 Miami 4 Utah
First Round Games
5 Georgia v 12 Boise St
6 Alabama v 11 Missouri
7 Tennessee v 10 Penn St
8 Mississippi v 9 Oregon

volunteerTrojan
Major Genius
September 25, 2024 6:48 am
Reply to  Golden Trojan

So basically SEC vs B1G.

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Online
September 24, 2024 2:57 pm

So the O line looked bad against the best defense we will see all season, so can they get by against the rest of the schedule? They should if what the media says about how good the Michigan defense is, is true. Wisconsin will be a good test to see. I would love to see Monheim moved to Left Tackle for the good of the team, that is if we have a backup for center available.

Chris
Major Genius
Chris
Offline
September 24, 2024 3:35 pm
Reply to  Steveg

agreed
jonah LT
Emanuel LG
geno C
Alani RG
TR or EP at RT

our best lineman should be LT. but also, I don’t know anything. I’m just a message board nerd.

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Online
September 24, 2024 4:51 pm
Reply to  Chris

We all are, it is so humbling.

Chris
Major Genius
Chris
Offline
September 24, 2024 4:59 pm
Reply to  Steveg

But I want to be on staff and know stuff. Maybe they can hire us now that you can essentially have unlimited spots. I am in sales, and pretty good at it. It’s a lot like recruiting, I think. I’ll be a recruiter. I’ll go watch high school football games and then fly back for our game Saturday.
what position you got?

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Online
September 24, 2024 5:01 pm
Reply to  Chris

I’m retired and loving it. I’d just take a seat in the press box scouting. I hear they pretty good food up there.

Chris
Major Genius
Chris
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September 24, 2024 5:16 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Great idea.

TrojanMPA90
Noble Genius
TrojanMPA90
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September 24, 2024 3:41 pm
Reply to  Steveg

I expect LR and Josh Henson to work on that this week in practice. Hard for any line to handle that much pressure and not have problems.

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Online
September 24, 2024 5:05 pm
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

That would be a really good idea for them to work something out. I think they need to have plan A, B, and perhaps a plan C. And not be so slow to make changes for now on. Riley needs a two minute drill on killing some time on the clock. With the two tight end formations they should come up with running plays to get 3-5 yards, just remember don’t go atraight ahead anymore.

ATL D.D.S.
Noble Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Online
September 25, 2024 10:08 am
Reply to  Steveg

well, LR thinks he doesn’t need OL recruits /sarc/

LR’s inattention to recruiting anyone but skill players in his first two years—those bad chickens are coming home to roost.

parcelman007
Noble Genius
parcelman007
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September 24, 2024 12:22 pm

In the post game presser, LR almost seemed like he was praising the O-Line. They were terrible. That team is strong in the defensive secondary, strong in the LB group, adequate in the D-Line group, outstanding at QB and RB’s and have good tight ends The O-Line is a big problem. I don’t think we will win 10 games…..not with that O-Line.

PN4SC
Noble Genius
PN4SC
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September 24, 2024 2:05 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Bear looks like the quintessential athlete with a million dollar body, and a 10 cent head.

parcelman007
Noble Genius
parcelman007
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September 24, 2024 3:07 pm
Reply to  PN4SC

He looks like Tarzan but has been playing like Jane.

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 24, 2024 8:20 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

When Tarzan drops that orchid in the water look out Jane! Soon comes Boy!

Rock2112
Noble Genius
Rock2112
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September 24, 2024 2:44 pm
Reply to  parcelman007

At some point, we need to realize that turning to shout back to your QB that “he’s coming!” is not good o-line play.

parcelman007
Noble Genius
parcelman007
Offline
September 24, 2024 3:12 pm
Reply to  Rock2112

Agreed!!! When your O-Lineman lets the D-Lineman go through him like a hot knife through butter and then turns around and yells “LOOK OUT”, you need one of two things…..better O-Linemen or a new O-Line coach. I say we need a new O-Line coach.

Chris
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Chris
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September 24, 2024 3:36 pm
Reply to  parcelman007

And better lineman.

illinoisusc
Noble Genius
illinoisusc
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September 24, 2024 4:47 pm
Reply to  Chris

To Chris…..Yep!

parcelman007
Noble Genius
parcelman007
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September 25, 2024 2:14 am
Reply to  Rock2112

Not good technique

RialtoTrojan
Noble Genius
RialtoTrojan
Online
September 24, 2024 10:45 am

There’s a video on Facebook asking if there should be an investigation into the hit on Makai Lemon. The video posted says it was an intentional attempt to injure a player. The video shows one Michigan player holding Lemon up and another coming across the field targeting him. Because the TV followed the ball, the hit didn’t make much in the broadcast. The video on Facebook looks like game film and really makes a case for it being a dirty deliberate hit. Unfortunately I doubt Riley will pursue the matter and it’s likely Michigan got away with cheating from beginning… Read more »

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 24, 2024 11:31 am
Reply to  RialtoTrojan

Add to that the face mask and horse collar non calls, player safety is an issue with the Big10 refs. The ticky-tacky Pac12 refs were frustrating. The don’t call anything Big 10 is dangerous. Though I read the head ref at the Michigan game was a former Pac12 ref. Jen Cohen should be on the phone to the commissioner.

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 24, 2024 10:09 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

What plays should Riley have called on that next to last drive?

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 24, 2024 12:20 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

The only thing I thought was smart on LR’s part was to be conservative and don’t give up a killer turnover. The play calling was horrible. You are right two shovel passes in the middle of a crowd, stopping the clock, dumb. I was just curious what others would have called. 3 running plays is the basic call, safe, eats the clock, forces Michigan to call time outs. 2 TEs and a FB and sweep it would be my call.

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 24, 2024 12:24 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

The 5 minute Tulane melt down. Riley has two now.

Trojanfanatic
Noble Genius
Trojanfanatic
Offline
September 24, 2024 12:33 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

AW, the criticism of LR’s clock management ( a problem that pops up at the worst times ) and play selection are non starters. It happened. At least in the back of my mind is we knew our Oline was what some consider a continued weak link. Yes, Caleb somewhat covered that up, but Caleb was a once in a lifetime player. Our line recruiting must be laser focused. Only way to regain our glory years. I’m just worried LR’s gonna wait to be forced again ( fans / press / Cohen bullied him ) like the Grinch situation on… Read more »

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 24, 2024 8:41 am

I just got back from a long weekend in Portland and Eugene. A rumor I heard was Oregon boosters bought 4 houses in Eugene for 4 recruits and their families. There are numerous reports on Jr Tony Cumberland DL transferring from Arizona and now playing for Willamette High in Eugene. Haven’t been able to find out about the others. That’s high level recruiting! The Ducks do have a $23 million NIL fund.

Jamaica
Noble Genius
Jamaica
Online
September 24, 2024 9:41 am
Reply to  Golden Trojan

Eugene isn’t LA or Orange County so those people up there have to do things like this to interest players. But just the same, before this is all over, Congress is going to realize agents and lawyers are targeting CFB to where they will steal this sport away from the Universities and be forced to do something about it.

ATL D.D.S.
Noble Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Online
September 24, 2024 10:11 am
Reply to  Golden Trojan

No, Phil Knight has a $23 million NIL fund. I think the rest of UO’s supporters are probably cheapskates.

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 24, 2024 8:17 am

One of the questions for this season was the job Josh Henson is doing developing the OL. They just faced probably the best DL of the regular season, maybe one of the best in the country. Riley and Henson shuffled the OL at halftime. You don’t do that on a whim. They must have had that plan B already. It worked. USC scored 21 second half points to take the lead, despite giving up a pick 6. Seems like Riley/Henson should keep that 2nd half alignment. If they continue to develop over the next 2 months Henson keeps his job,… Read more »

ATL D.D.S.
Noble Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Online
September 24, 2024 6:24 am

I wonder if Alexander’s light has come on, alerting him to listen to his coaches on technique and playing his role in whatever defensive play is called. I think that is the problem–he hasn’t realized that he has the best D-line coach he will ever have and he is not buying in.

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Online
September 24, 2024 7:49 am
Reply to  ATL D.D.S.

I am thinking two things, either he is not that good to begin with, or he is just to busy counting his NIL money. If his heart is not in the game and not buying in he needs to be taught some humility.

Jamaica
Noble Genius
Jamaica
Online
September 24, 2024 9:48 am
Reply to  Steveg

When Bear was rumored to be entering the Portal, I think we all got a notion he was leveraging. Now you have to wonder is an agent telling him not to risk injury playing all out and save himself for his next payday in the Pros?

illinoisusc
Noble Genius
illinoisusc
Offline
September 24, 2024 11:55 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Yep. It’s not just OL recruiting.

ATL D.D.S.
Noble Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Online
September 24, 2024 10:13 am
Reply to  Jamaica

I hadn’t thought of the his agent directing him to play protected this season and wait for the NFL to overpay the Bear. It has certainly happened before….

volunteerTrojan
Major Genius
September 24, 2024 11:07 am
Reply to  Jamaica

I can’t see that at all. In order for a big NFL paycheck, you have to show some pretty good mojo in college. This guy has not done it yet. Why would an NFL team give him big bucks when he has been a career mediocre player? I’m not a draftnik, but I can’t see this guy going in the top 4 rounds.

Jamaica
Noble Genius
Jamaica
Online
September 24, 2024 5:41 am

Is Moss encapable of rolling out of the pocket to throw passes? Many of us have asked that question. Yes a QB might be limited in seeing the whole field of recievers running to one side but what’s the alternative, being rushed and tackled for a loss or injured? As many times Miller was hit in this last game it’s a wonder he didn’t have to leave the field. Coach Hensen’s player ability showed its ugly head against a good D-line. I hope this game has angered his players enough they won’t be dominated like this again. But every opponent… Read more »

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Online
September 24, 2024 7:45 am
Reply to  Jamaica

They did move the pocket, he did roll out, always to his right side though. It gave him some added time to throw.

ATL D.D.S.
Noble Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Online
September 24, 2024 6:29 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

In the NFL, you need to find the right situation to really contribute and be a valuable contributor. Sam has found a home. I hope he plays so well that the Vikes will need to make a hard-decision at the end of the season about their other first round QB. Fight On Sam!

ATL D.D.S.
Noble Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Online
September 24, 2024 6:30 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Heal quickly and well, Lake McCree. Fight On!