USC continues to wrestle with the right fit at rush edge…
Solomon Byrd, Korey Foreman and Nick Figueroa have all had moments when they’ve satisfied the coaching staff and others when they’ve left Trojan coaches scratching their heads
Adam Grosbard (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — In Alex Grinch’s defensive scheme, the edge rusher has always been an important position. Grinch’s philosophies rely on getting pressure on the quarterback to take pressure off of the defensive backs in the modern game of high-flying passing attacks.
And throughout Grinch’s history, from Washington State to Ohio State to Oklahoma, it’s been a productive position for the defensive coordinator. Now at USC, Grinch and the Trojans are still searching for the right man, or men, to fill the job.
That’s why veteran Nick Figueroa (50) has been moved from defensive end, a more traditional hand-in-the-ground position, to edge rusher in recent weeks as USC looks for the right answer to the equation.
“We need the production to go up,” Grinch said after practice Wednesday. “There’s been times we’ve had and there’s been times we haven’t and what we don’t do is we don’t just sit there and say, ‘Let’s hope we have it this coming Saturday.’”
USC (6-1 overall, 4-1 Pac-12) went into the Utah game leading the nation in sacks (24), but the rush edge position has remained a bit of a dart throw all season.
Auburn transfer Romello Height was the starter from spring camp to the season opener, then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 2. Solomon Byrd moved up from off the depth chart to starter in the blink of an eye, but he has been unable to maintain the high level of play that got him there.
All the while, the frustration of Korey Foreman’s unrealized potential as a former No. 1 recruit has hung in the background like a thick haze.
Figueroa did not see much of the field during the first few weeks of the season, or at least not as much as he did as a starter the previous two years.
Against Utah, however, the senior had 65 snaps, his season high, and a big jump from the 14 he received in the previous game against Washington State.
“Nick’s one of those guys that as games were going on and he was playing more of a role situation, he was able to make plays and be very productive and we wanted to look to find ways to get him on the field a little bit more,” head coach Lincoln Riley said. “I think we’re continuing to look for the most productive and consistent players (at edge rusher).”
Figueroa did provide some; in his 38 pass-rush opportunities he had one hit on Utes quarterback Cam Rising and three hurries. But he had several opportunities when he couldn’t get home on the QB, including on the game-winning two-point conversion.
So no one is running away with the job at edge rusher to this point. Byrd, Foreman and Figueroa have all had moments when they’ve satisfied the coaching staff, and others when they’ve left the coaches scratching their heads.
Until there is a clear answer, expect a rotation and maybe even new faces trying their hand at the job.
“We definitely want to get more production out of that position,” said Riley, whose 10th-ranked Trojans play at Arizona (3-4, 1-3) on Saturday. “So the combination of those guys – again, whether it’s all three or whether it’s one that steps up and separates himself – we feel like we have three good players there that really need to take off and play good for us.”
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I agree completely with Grinch’s philosophy coaching penetration of D linemen into the opponent’s backfield. Fumbles, take downs behind the LOS, pass knockdowns & rushed passes turning into picks, they all happen causing disruption.
“We expect guys to be in the backfield, not just hold point,” Grinch said. “If we wanted a guy sitting on the line of scrimmage, we’d recruit a 355-pound guy, sit him on the edge and stand there and take on blocks. Our M.O. has been to have guys that are athletes, allow them to be athletes and go hunt the quarterback. That’s something we need more of.”
Utes beat Cougs with a second-string QB and 3rd-string RB in WSU’s backyard!!! stunning defeat for WSU. and putting things in perspective, USC had some trouble early on with the Coug D [“it was a struggle all game long]. Analysis: either WSU played very very well against SC or USC isn’t that good. As Lou Holtz would say, “the truth usually lies somewhere in between. [ yes, I know, SC has improved…and apparently, WSU has regressed]
rosegreen, This is a really tough season for the Cougars. They are 1-4 in league and tied for last. SC won the WSU game primarily running the ball. Same for the Utes. Candidly, the Cougs are good team that has made some really bad plays that cost it games. It was at best two bad plays away from beating the Ducks, another two bad plays from beating the Utes, and probably three or four bad plays from beating us. Against the Utes, they had one kid on the punt return team run into the returner who fumbled and that gave… Read more »
Good point about WSU just not knowing how to win. Amazingly, this has been their historical legacy, hence the demeaning WSU slang — “Couging It”. They did it again last night and I kinda feel sorry for them and their fans who have watched their team snatch defeat from the jaws of victory so many times over the years.
As defined in the Urban Dictionary:
Couging It — The uncanny ability of the Washington State University football team to, despite all odds, lose football games at the last possible moment in a spectacular display of giving the football to the other team.
Allen, I thought you were kidding. I looked it up. It is both in the urban dictionary and in dictionary.com. And, this entire year WSU has been “couging it”. In fact, it is the definition of their year. On talent and coaching, this team could as easily be 5-0 in league as well as 1-4. Amazing one team has created that type of legacy.
Allen: Good observation. Last night, WSU sucked big time. I can tell you from my personal experience of playing competitive tennis for 50+ years around the country: It is a lot easier [mentally] to play up than to play down [ one knows instinctively that one has to play better against a better opponent]. But versus a weakened Ute team, WSU apparently was not thinking that Utah was superior…in fact, they probably felt they were in a great position to win.
You notice PAC12 commish George Kliavkoff isn’t attacking USC in his comments on the LA schools moving to the Big 10. Is it because he knows the administration, if not the alumni-fanbase would attack him back and then some? On some of the UTube streams, they are accusing him of not only sabotaging the conference prestige, or what’s left of it, but more so of his reputation. It is believed the Big 12 will get a superior TV package leaving the PAC with leftover crumbs. And he isn’t isn’t helping the situation with his sour grapes verbiage. If Oregon and… Read more »
While I had hoped that WSU would beat Utah last night, I did not expect it. And, to be honest, it is very much in SC’s favor that Utah won that game. We need to Utes to be highly rated if they beat Oregon and end up with only 1 league loss. But, at least the Cougs covered. And, Utah won without its #1 QB and its #1 RB, who were injured in the SC game and still had not recovered. We now need the Trojans to beat the Wildcats most likely without their #1 LB (and probably best D… Read more »
That backup QB for UTAH really came through with some clutch plays. The line between success and failure can be a very thin one, as it was last night for the Utes, who barely escaped Pullman, and. some would say luckily.
The refs were again a factor, so USC isn’t the only school with complaints. It seems like there are just too many penalties being called and some of the review stoppages are just crazy from this fan’s point of view. Maybe I’m suffering from baby boomerism! 😅
Another “touching-the-passer” penalty [however inconsequential] called late in the game on Baltimore Ravens; this “penalty” was similar to the nefarious two penalties made against USC last week. Adding insult to injury, the jellyfish announcers made no mention of it.
Brady has now been sacked 555 times in his career (326 games), which makes him the most-sacked QB in league history. Longtime Steeler Ben Roethlisberger held the previous record. Update — Brady was sacked again, making his total 556.
Wow! That was not the same WSU team that played USC. WSU gave up so many more yards after initial contact. WSU got beat by Utah with a second-string QB and a third-string running back !!! Like all sports, sometimes you execute great, sometimes good, and sometimes poorly. Tonight= very poor.
The Targeting rule has just completely changed the game. I don’t know how these coaches can teach D. So many games are being completely altered. It’s the new college football.
Just announced on KUSI 51 San Diego, Lincoln HS, Linebacker David Peevy, 3 * 6’4″, 230 lbs, commits to USC. Vows to do more than Marcus Allen did at USC. Picks the Trojans over Oregon and Washington.
I don’t care whether he’s 3 or 4-stars for rankings purposes. He was offered way back on March 3 when the Trojans hosted a group of about a dozen prospects from SD Lincoln (per Scott Schrader) so LR and crew have been sold on Peevy for a long time.
Credit Roy Manning — “Me and Roy Manning are really tight,” Peevy said. “I have a great relationship. We kind of share a lot of the same things like our lifestyle, family stuff and we also play the same position. We both play the same position and he coaches my position.”
KUSI is the station I just mentioned on another blog. That televised Lincoln vs. Mayer Dei (San Diego). It wasn’t a contest. Lincoln was bigger stronger and faster.
By this time of the season they should have the guy. The fact that they haven’t found the guy that can do the job play after play says USC needs players. I can see Figueroa doing it if he can just take what he has learned and have it all come natural to him, get in the zone and make every play a problem for the O line he is facing. The one guy that needs to get into a zone is Caleb Williams. At times I think he is so attached to Riley that he cannot just go play… Read more »
Since both USC and UCLA hung 42 points on UTAH, anything’s possible, but 4-3 WSU’s relatively low-scoring offense (24.6 ppg, 95th of 131) doesn’t inspire much.
WSU last beat UTAH 28-24 in 2018 when the Cougs finished 11-2 and beat IOWA ST in the Alamo Bowl.
Traveling Plans Erik McKinney (WeAreSC) — “Thursday morning, Lincoln Riley was asked about Jordan Addison, Eric Gentry and LB Ralen Goforth, and whether they will be available on Saturday against ARIZ. “We hope to,” Riley said. “The bye week has certainly been helpful for all those guys.” Riley considered all three of those players ‘limited’ this week. “They haven’t been full participants, but not anybody that I would want to say a definite no or yes on right now,” Riley said. “Fully plan on them traveling, being there, and probably something that comes down to the wire in terms of a… Read more »
Just having all 3 players in uniform on the sidelines would be a boost in morale for the Trojans and an ever present threat for the Wild Cats. Putting Addison in as a decoy might work, but if the ball came his way he’d try to score. The same is true for Gentry who did his best impression of Monty-Python’s black knight from the holy grail movie during the Utah game. I suspect if he were allowed, he’d say, “Tis just a scratch,” while hopping around on one leg. The spirit of this team is off the charts
Can the USC passing attack find some consistency? Adam Grosbard (OC Register) — “Even with the odd down game, the passing attack has been a strength of the USC offense in 2022. The Trojans are third in the Pac-12, averaging 293.1 passing yards per game. Quarterback Caleb Williams is 18th nationally in passer efficiency. Lincoln Riley’s schemes and game plans keep defenses guessing and fans entertained by their creativity. “But after three strong performances to start the season, USC has gone cold-to-hot the past four games. Twice, the Trojans failed to throw for 190 yards, let alone 200. Neither performance… Read more »
Chip Kelly’s (24-26 at UCLA) still not a hit with the preps Antonio Morales (The Athletic) — “UCLA is 6-1, ranked 12th in the country and in the midst of Chip Kelly’s best season in Westwood. It’s been more of the same, however, on the recruiting front. Acquiring talent — at least from the high school ranks — has not been Kelly’s strength since he arrived at UCLA. Last year, the Bruins’ class ranked 65th nationally. Even with the on-field success, UCLA’s class ranks 91st in the 2023 cycle. “The Bruins lost their top-rated commit, four-star running back Roderick Robinson II,… Read more »
The Rose Bowl (committee)would sure like to USC in the bowl game. Some of those seats haven’t been occupied for at least a year. If Ucla makes it the big 10 team will have the place packed.
Adam Grosbard (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — In Alex Grinch’s defensive scheme, the edge rusher has always been an important position. Grinch’s philosophies rely on getting pressure on the quarterback to take pressure off of the defensive backs in the modern game of high-flying passing attacks.
That’s why veteran Nick Figueroa (50) has been moved from defensive end, a more traditional hand-in-the-ground position, to edge rusher in recent weeks as USC looks for the right answer to the equation.
“We definitely want to get more production out of that position,” said Riley, whose 10th-ranked Trojans play at Arizona (3-4, 1-3) on Saturday. “So the combination of those guys – again, whether it’s all three or whether it’s one that steps up and separates himself – we feel like we have three good players there that really need to take off and play good for us.”
I agree completely with Grinch’s philosophy coaching penetration of D linemen into the opponent’s backfield. Fumbles, take downs behind the LOS, pass knockdowns & rushed passes turning into picks, they all happen causing disruption.
Grinch said it especially well too:
“We expect guys to be in the backfield, not just hold point,” Grinch said. “If we wanted a guy sitting on the line of scrimmage, we’d recruit a 355-pound guy, sit him on the edge and stand there and take on blocks. Our M.O. has been to have guys that are athletes, allow them to be athletes and go hunt the quarterback. That’s something we need more of.”
Utes beat Cougs with a second-string QB and 3rd-string RB in WSU’s backyard!!! stunning defeat for WSU. and putting things in perspective, USC had some trouble early on with the Coug D [“it was a struggle all game long]. Analysis: either WSU played very very well against SC or USC isn’t that good. As Lou Holtz would say, “the truth usually lies somewhere in between. [ yes, I know, SC has improved…and apparently, WSU has regressed]
rosegreen, This is a really tough season for the Cougars. They are 1-4 in league and tied for last. SC won the WSU game primarily running the ball. Same for the Utes. Candidly, the Cougs are good team that has made some really bad plays that cost it games. It was at best two bad plays away from beating the Ducks, another two bad plays from beating the Utes, and probably three or four bad plays from beating us. Against the Utes, they had one kid on the punt return team run into the returner who fumbled and that gave… Read more »
Good point about WSU just not knowing how to win. Amazingly, this has been their historical legacy, hence the demeaning WSU slang — “Couging It”. They did it again last night and I kinda feel sorry for them and their fans who have watched their team snatch defeat from the jaws of victory so many times over the years.
As defined in the Urban Dictionary:
Couging It — The uncanny ability of the Washington State University football team to, despite all odds, lose football games at the last possible moment in a spectacular display of giving the football to the other team.
Allen, I thought you were kidding. I looked it up. It is both in the urban dictionary and in dictionary.com. And, this entire year WSU has been “couging it”. In fact, it is the definition of their year. On talent and coaching, this team could as easily be 5-0 in league as well as 1-4. Amazing one team has created that type of legacy.
Good thoughts, agreed. But the Cougs did NOT “coug it” against USC [please see my immediate previous comment…they KNEW they would have to “play up”].
Allen: Good observation. Last night, WSU sucked big time. I can tell you from my personal experience of playing competitive tennis for 50+ years around the country: It is a lot easier [mentally] to play up than to play down [ one knows instinctively that one has to play better against a better opponent]. But versus a weakened Ute team, WSU apparently was not thinking that Utah was superior…in fact, they probably felt they were in a great position to win.
could be😉
As they say up there, they “Couged it” again.
You notice PAC12 commish George Kliavkoff isn’t attacking USC in his comments on the LA schools moving to the Big 10. Is it because he knows the administration, if not the alumni-fanbase would attack him back and then some? On some of the UTube streams, they are accusing him of not only sabotaging the conference prestige, or what’s left of it, but more so of his reputation. It is believed the Big 12 will get a superior TV package leaving the PAC with leftover crumbs. And he isn’t isn’t helping the situation with his sour grapes verbiage. If Oregon and… Read more »
While I had hoped that WSU would beat Utah last night, I did not expect it. And, to be honest, it is very much in SC’s favor that Utah won that game. We need to Utes to be highly rated if they beat Oregon and end up with only 1 league loss. But, at least the Cougs covered. And, Utah won without its #1 QB and its #1 RB, who were injured in the SC game and still had not recovered. We now need the Trojans to beat the Wildcats most likely without their #1 LB (and probably best D… Read more »
That backup QB for UTAH really came through with some clutch plays. The line between success and failure can be a very thin one, as it was last night for the Utes, who barely escaped Pullman, and. some would say luckily.
The refs were again a factor, so USC isn’t the only school with complaints. It seems like there are just too many penalties being called and some of the review stoppages are just crazy from this fan’s point of view. Maybe I’m suffering from baby boomerism! 😅
Another “touching-the-passer” penalty [however inconsequential] called late in the game on Baltimore Ravens; this “penalty” was similar to the nefarious two penalties made against USC last week. Adding insult to injury, the jellyfish announcers made no mention of it.
For those of you who don’t like Tom Brady
Tampa Bay lost tonight to the Ravens 27-22.
Brady has now been sacked 555 times in his career (326 games), which makes him the most-sacked QB in league history. Longtime Steeler Ben Roethlisberger held the previous record. Update — Brady was sacked again, making his total 556.
If Ward would realize his line doesn’t block he could roll out and have a heck of a game. If he stays in the pocket Wazzu looses.
Wow! That was not the same WSU team that played USC. WSU gave up so many more yards after initial contact. WSU got beat by Utah with a second-string QB and a third-string running back !!! Like all sports, sometimes you execute great, sometimes good, and sometimes poorly. Tonight= very poor.
TD Cougs! 7-0 with 13 mins to go in the 1st half. Nice.
Another bad call. Gave Utah a TD.
The Targeting rule has just completely changed the game. I don’t know how these coaches can teach D. So many games are being completely altered. It’s the new college football.
That was so borderline and the play so important, I think only the PAC refs would have called it. Just awful call. But WSU sure Cooged the 1st half.
Trojan killer Cam Rising isn’t playing for UTAH, even though he warmed up like usual.
At least I can now say Dalton Kincaid doesn’t catch every single throw!
Just announced on KUSI 51 San Diego, Lincoln HS, Linebacker David Peevy, 3 * 6’4″, 230 lbs, commits to USC. Vows to do more than Marcus Allen did at USC. Picks the Trojans over Oregon and Washington.
Always nice to beat ORE and UW, especially on a kid from San Diego Lincoln, Marcus Allen’s school.
Peevy, 6-4.5, 235, who just turned 17, will play the Edge, just what USC has been searching for.
Great news, I have been pulling for him for a while.
I don’t care whether he’s 3 or 4-stars for rankings purposes. He was offered way back on March 3 when the Trojans hosted a group of about a dozen prospects from SD Lincoln (per Scott Schrader) so LR and crew have been sold on Peevy for a long time.
Credit Roy Manning — “Me and Roy Manning are really tight,” Peevy said. “I have a great relationship. We kind of share a lot of the same things like our lifestyle, family stuff and we also play the same position. We both play the same position and he coaches my position.”
KUSI is the station I just mentioned on another blog. That televised Lincoln vs. Mayer Dei (San Diego). It wasn’t a contest. Lincoln was bigger stronger and faster.
By this time of the season they should have the guy. The fact that they haven’t found the guy that can do the job play after play says USC needs players. I can see Figueroa doing it if he can just take what he has learned and have it all come natural to him, get in the zone and make every play a problem for the O line he is facing. The one guy that needs to get into a zone is Caleb Williams. At times I think he is so attached to Riley that he cannot just go play… Read more »
Reminder — for those interested, it’s #14 UTAH at WSU at 7:00 PT (Fox1)
Don’t expect it to happen, but would love for the Cougs to pull the upset. As long as WSU is in it, I will keep watching.
Since both USC and UCLA hung 42 points on UTAH, anything’s possible, but 4-3 WSU’s relatively low-scoring offense (24.6 ppg, 95th of 131) doesn’t inspire much.
WSU last beat UTAH 28-24 in 2018 when the Cougs finished 11-2 and beat IOWA ST in the Alamo Bowl.
Go Cougs!
Traveling Plans Erik McKinney (WeAreSC) — “Thursday morning, Lincoln Riley was asked about Jordan Addison, Eric Gentry and LB Ralen Goforth, and whether they will be available on Saturday against ARIZ. “We hope to,” Riley said. “The bye week has certainly been helpful for all those guys.” Riley considered all three of those players ‘limited’ this week. “They haven’t been full participants, but not anybody that I would want to say a definite no or yes on right now,” Riley said. “Fully plan on them traveling, being there, and probably something that comes down to the wire in terms of a… Read more »
Just having all 3 players in uniform on the sidelines would be a boost in morale for the Trojans and an ever present threat for the Wild Cats. Putting Addison in as a decoy might work, but if the ball came his way he’d try to score. The same is true for Gentry who did his best impression of Monty-Python’s black knight from the holy grail movie during the Utah game. I suspect if he were allowed, he’d say, “Tis just a scratch,” while hopping around on one leg. The spirit of this team is off the charts
Can the USC passing attack find some consistency? Adam Grosbard (OC Register) — “Even with the odd down game, the passing attack has been a strength of the USC offense in 2022. The Trojans are third in the Pac-12, averaging 293.1 passing yards per game. Quarterback Caleb Williams is 18th nationally in passer efficiency. Lincoln Riley’s schemes and game plans keep defenses guessing and fans entertained by their creativity. “But after three strong performances to start the season, USC has gone cold-to-hot the past four games. Twice, the Trojans failed to throw for 190 yards, let alone 200. Neither performance… Read more »
Chip Kelly’s (24-26 at UCLA) still not a hit with the preps Antonio Morales (The Athletic) — “UCLA is 6-1, ranked 12th in the country and in the midst of Chip Kelly’s best season in Westwood. It’s been more of the same, however, on the recruiting front. Acquiring talent — at least from the high school ranks — has not been Kelly’s strength since he arrived at UCLA. Last year, the Bruins’ class ranked 65th nationally. Even with the on-field success, UCLA’s class ranks 91st in the 2023 cycle. “The Bruins lost their top-rated commit, four-star running back Roderick Robinson II,… Read more »
Yahoo Sports Newest Bowl predictions (New Year’s Six bowl games)
Orange Bowl (Dec. 30)
Wake Forest vs. Tennessee
Sugar Bowl (Dec. 31)
TCU vs. Alabama
Peach Bowl (Dec. 31) [CFP semifinal]
Georgia vs. Michigan
Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 31) [CFP semifinal]
Ohio State vs. Clemson
Cotton Bowl (Jan. 2)
Oklahoma State vs. Tulane
Rose Bowl (Jan. 2)
Penn State vs. USC
Article link >>>>> https://sports.yahoo.com/bowl-projections-the-aac-champion-looks-set-to-make-a-new-years-six-bowl-181912687.html
I really hope that if USC plays in the Rose Bowl, which would be just great with me, OHIO ST or MICH is our opponent, not James Franklin and PSU.
Playing the Nittany Lions seems like leftovers after Jim Harbaugh humiliated them 41-17 just two weeks ago.
Yea Penn State would be my 3rd choice also ……But getting back to the Rose Bowl SURE would feel good …..Fight On !!!!!
The Rose Bowl (committee)would sure like to USC in the bowl game. Some of those seats haven’t been occupied for at least a year. If Ucla makes it the big 10 team will have the place packed.
Message to Bruin fans. Go Wisconsin!
Just not excited about another round of those same 4 teams in the playoff. Would love to see some outsiders butt in, like say, USC!
Fight On!