Tuli Tuipulotu and Ralen Goforth celebrate Trojan defensive success
Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch was happy with the Trojans’ discipline in sticking to the scheme’s philosophies and in making tackles against Colorado, but the Bruins are the best offense they have faced all season
Adam Grosbard (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — After a tumultuous couple of weeks, the USC defense finally showed some progress in last week’s 55-17 victory over Colorado. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch was happy with the team’s discipline in sticking to the scheme’s philosophies and in making tackles that had slipped through the Trojans’ hands in previous weeks.
That was nice. But the seventh-ranked Trojans (9-1 overall, 7-1 Pac-12) will be pushed to their limit on Saturday against No. 16 UCLA (8-2, 5-2), the best offense USC has faced all season.
The Bruins are fifth in the nation in yards per game (504.0) and 11th in scoring (39.3 points per game). And the last time UCLA faced USC, the Bruins gained 609 yards and scored 62 points.
All things in that contest and with UCLA this season begin with quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The senior has always had raw ability, but his ability to read defenses and make correct decisions have soared this season.
Thompson-Robinson has posted a career-high 71% completion rate while being on pace to set personal bests in passing yards and touchdowns, too.
“There’s so much to like from a quarterback evaluation standpoint. Obviously from a defensive perspective, a lot of frustration,” Grinch said after practice Wednesday. “Very smooth and very efficient, meaning he’s going to take what’s there when he needs to.”
Where Thompson-Robinson can really punish USC is on the ground. Yes, he can run the ball, but he can also escape pressure and look for receivers in the scramble drill. For the USC secondary, that will mean having to avoid breakdowns for long periods of time while waiting for the pass rush to get home.
“We just gotta lock in and focus and play the whole play,” safety Bryson Shaw said. “We just gotta hone into our craft and keep going and keep swinging at every play.”
Then there’s also running back Zach Charbonnet to contend with after his 167-yard performance against USC a year ago.
“You’re talking about probably the best tailback that we’ve faced this year,” Grinch said. “Run through tackles, runs hard. Has a patience to him that really frustrates you defensively because you might feel like he’s kinda got bottled up and he’s just getting started.”
Grinch is very familiar with the UCLA offense run by head coach Chip Kelly. The two coaches were on staff together at New Hampshire in 2005 and 2006, Grinch serving as cornerbacks coach and Kelly as offensive coordinator.
So Grinch knows better than most what kind of wrinkles Kelly can fold into a game plan, how he can try to sow doubt in defenses with motions and odd alignments. And Grinch is trying to prepare the Trojans for just that.
“What you gotta do is you gotta say, ‘Our rules are our rules,’ and you gotta rule it out,” Grinch said. “If you send a guy in motion and you get a mind explosion, you’re looking for a particular play. You’re not trusting your rules. And along those lines, you gotta trust the guys next to you. There’s no alternative.”
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UC regents delay a final decision on UCLA’s Big Ten move until December
Sounds like a shakedown to me.
LAT — “Despite UCLA’s push for clarity, the University of California Board of Regents declined Thursday to settle questions surrounding the Bruins’ move to the Big Ten and instead plans to finalize a decision at a Dec. 14 special meeting…”
If I know anything about California politics, which controls much of the Regents decisions, the power behind this delay is hoping for its ability to secure a voice in Big Ten matters as those wielding influence over the Board considers UCLA State property. No matter how the Big Ten would consider legal action, if CA State demands UCLA’s voting measures in all BG10 matters and its share of revenue sent directly to it, as owner/authority, how could any court not support that right? Technically The State could take this revenue and not give UCLA a penny of it. This could… Read more »
If that is true, and if I were the B10, I would run for the hills as fast as possible by withdrawing the invitation to join. I would think the B10 would want nothing to do with CA state politics.
I’m wondering if this UCLA problem with the Regents is any kind of distraction for the players. You could say, what do they care, right?? Nothing happens until 2024 anyway. But it’s a weirdism for the program nonetheless.
The Regents are trying to make UCLA pay for its move while USC scoots into the B1G unfettered. Maybe Bruin players don’t like that. I’ll take any edge I can get for Saturday, and I do believe I’ve just made one up out of thin air!
I don’t believe UCLA will end up not going to the B1G. Massively too much money for their bankrupt athletic program to lose, and they love their Olympic sports. The Regents will exact their pound of flesh, but that’s UCLA’s problem, not the B1G’s. JMHO.
It wouldn’t surprise me as I said a few weeks ago if the UC Regents halt UCLA from going to the Big 10. Could easily see them go for Stanford, Oregon, or Washington as back ups.
I don’t believe it. The Regents could have “tried’ to say no today, and they didn’t. They just gave UCLA more time to come up with concessions. And it’s never been established that the Regents even have the power to stop UCLA. The Regents just said they had this legal power after UCLA suddenly left, like they were making up their own laws to suit themselves. The Regents simply got caught with their pants down, and they know it. Their only hope as I see it is to see if UCLA will voluntarily back down, since so many UCLA supporters… Read more »
I may be off base in my thinking. There’s big money to gain and UCLA is part of the State UC system. I read somewhere where each school administration has the freedom to decide its own course supposedly. But the money is so huge that I don’t see the Regents letting one school keep it all or even most of it. This is the price the Regents may demand in giving this matter a yes vote?
My point is that the Regents aren’t all-powerful. They can’t just stop people from doing what they are legally empowered to do, and UCLA’s lawyers advised them they could make this move if they wanted. Legally, it’s my opinion that UCLA had the right to do what it did, which its lawyers signed off on after reviewing all the facts, documents, etc. The Regents also have to worry about defending themselves for trying to pull the rug out from under a school that has the absolute right and duty to become fiscally responsible. I like UCLA’s position, as well as… Read more »
You and I agree. I do not see the Regents stopping the move. Most likely, they are just figuring out the correct “reparations” to extract from UCLA as part of the move and how to structure it. Gavin Newsome can then gain political points for “protecting the integrity” of the UC system as a cover to extract money from UCLA.
Allen, I have no doubt this is a shakedown. I think it was delayed, in part, because of Cal’s loss of its stadium sponsor. I do not think that the Regents want to have a voice in the running of the B10. I think they want part of the $100 million per year revenue stream that UCLA will be generating as a result of being a member. I think the issue is simply how much and when. My guess is the goal is to shore up Cal’s athletic department budget and so how much and when will depend on just… Read more »
CAL Football Takes Another Hit. UCLA Can’t Fix This One Either…
UC Berkeley Suspends Stadium Naming Rights Deal With Fraudulent FTX
The 10-year deal is the latest to fall through in the wake of the crypto exchange’s bankruptcy filing.
“The deal was originally planned for 10 years and lasted just 450 days. The sponsorship was inked in Aug 2021 for $17.5 million. It was paid entirely in cryptocurrency and was the exchange’s first partnership in college sports. With the deal, CAL’s football stadium was named FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium.
Earlier today, LR described Travis Dye as the “heartbeat of the team” on The Herd. He also said this Trojan team was very internally unselfish, close-knit, and willing to “win for each other.”
No. 7 USC at No. 16 UCLA, 8 p.m. ET (Bleacher Report prediction) USC looks like the Pac-12’s last hope to get a team into the playoff. If TCU stumbles, or a couple of two-loss conference champions emerge, the Trojans could have a shot. USC is 9-1 and will close its season with two ranked opponents in UCLA and Notre Dame. Saturday’s game looks like USC’s biggest test yet. The Bruins are 8-2 with losses to Oregon and Arizona. They beat the team that beat USC earlier in the season in Utah. Like USC, UCLA has an offense that scores… Read more »
I really feel that if USC can come out with the same energy, focus, and execution that it did in the hostile environment of Utah, where most thought we would be manhandled and blown out, we will win this game. I think it’s going to be a carbon copy of that shootout in Utah, and if the refs call a fair, consistent game, I think we can get that one or two important stop in the second half like we did in the early season.
USC at UTAH was such a great game, despite the refs and the outcome.
Lincoln Riley just finished his Colin Cowherd segment. He went into detail about how he lives for big end-of-game moments when there’s nowhere to hide. It’s good to know we now have a coach who mentally thrives on two-minute scenarios, late rallies, tight moments and performing when the chips are down (Sorry Chip!).
So I see Karen Bass will be the new mayor for you Angelinos. Too bad, there goes LA’s chances for fixing any problems, or would Caruso have done any better?
If Caruso could get LR to USC (a major miracle as far as I’m concerned but I imagine his private jet is very impressive), why couldn’t he fix absolute disaster zone L.A.? I was really rooting for him, but even his own cool $100 mil couldn’t get him close enough to the job. Too bad he didn’t get a shot at effectuating his vision as far as I’m concerned, but I’m a big fan of his. I’m very grateful for all that he’s done for USC. I really liked his campaign message combined with his business savvy, and I would… Read more »
It’s sad. I travel quite a bit and the drug, crime, and homelessness problem is way beyond out of control. In my opinion, it should be addressed as one of, if not the top priorities of both parties. Every major city on the west coast has a huge problem.
Chris, it is sad. I doubt the present Democratic party in CA, or OR, or Washington state is capable of solving it. In fact, they will probably make it worse. And, given the new voting rules in those states, I doubt there is any way to remove them from office. Oregon just re-elected a Democrat governor, CA gave Newsome a landslide victory.
I am long gone from CA and its messed up politicians. A Jerry Brown clone (“Beto” O’Rourke – really Robert O’Rourke who created a Hispanic sounding nickname) was just clobbered in the race for TX governor. Given the new CA voting rules, I cannot imagine anyone not backed by the unions winning in LA. A bit like running against a Daly when the Daly machine ran Chicago. Caruso ran a much better race than I thought possible. Interesting tidbit, I was taught in high school by Rick Caruso’s uncle.
Nah. He’d sooner take the tried and true path and run for the Bobby Kennedy/Hillary Clinton carpetbagger seat in NY. He’ll probably adopt some Irish sounding nickname like Paddy, not that he would need to. Unless he’s running in the primary against AOC; then he’ll stick with Beto.
I hope to be out of here in 6-8 month’s, to either Utah or Idaho, where people are ” normal”, and don’t keep reelecting Marxists. This state is a grease fire. LA could have made a sensible choice with Caruso, but went with buzz cut Bass, who is a Socialist. Soon, California will not a have a middle class.
LOS ANGELES — USC DL Tuli Tuipulotuhas been selected as a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. This award, presented by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown honors the nation’s top defensive player.
Tuipulotu’s 11.5 sacks are the most in a single season at USC since Kenechi Udeze set the Trojans’ record with 16.5 in 2003.
Tuipulotu is USC’s second Bronko Nagurski finalist and first in 14 seasons. The other finalist was LB Rey Maualuga in 2008.
The other three finalists for the award are Alabama LB Will Anderson Jr., Pitt DT Calijah Kancey and Georgia S Chris Smith.
Several weeks ago, I said here that Tuli reminded me of the great Junior Seau. Of course, there will always be only one Junior. But as you suggest, without Tuli on this team, I shudder to think what our already challenged D would look like.
All things in that contest and with UCLA this season begin with quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The senior has always had raw ability, but his ability to read defenses and make correct decisions have soared this season.
“You’re talking about probably the best tailback that we’ve faced this year,” Grinch said. “Run through tackles, runs hard. Has a patience to him that really frustrates you defensively because you might feel like he’s kinda got bottled up and he’s just getting started.”
UC regents delay a final decision on UCLA’s Big Ten move until December
Sounds like a shakedown to me.
LAT — “Despite UCLA’s push for clarity, the University of California Board of Regents declined Thursday to settle questions surrounding the Bruins’ move to the Big Ten and instead plans to finalize a decision at a Dec. 14 special meeting…”
latimes.com
If I know anything about California politics, which controls much of the Regents decisions, the power behind this delay is hoping for its ability to secure a voice in Big Ten matters as those wielding influence over the Board considers UCLA State property. No matter how the Big Ten would consider legal action, if CA State demands UCLA’s voting measures in all BG10 matters and its share of revenue sent directly to it, as owner/authority, how could any court not support that right? Technically The State could take this revenue and not give UCLA a penny of it. This could… Read more »
If that is true, and if I were the B10, I would run for the hills as fast as possible by withdrawing the invitation to join. I would think the B10 would want nothing to do with CA state politics.
I’m wondering if this UCLA problem with the Regents is any kind of distraction for the players. You could say, what do they care, right?? Nothing happens until 2024 anyway. But it’s a weirdism for the program nonetheless.
The Regents are trying to make UCLA pay for its move while USC scoots into the B1G unfettered. Maybe Bruin players don’t like that. I’ll take any edge I can get for Saturday, and I do believe I’ve just made one up out of thin air!
Hey ….I’ll take ANY edge we can get …..Fight On !!!!!
Thin edges are sharp edges.
B10 must be looking at Plan B right about now. Hey Oregon, Interested?
I don’t believe UCLA will end up not going to the B1G. Massively too much money for their bankrupt athletic program to lose, and they love their Olympic sports. The Regents will exact their pound of flesh, but that’s UCLA’s problem, not the B1G’s. JMHO.
It wouldn’t surprise me as I said a few weeks ago if the UC Regents halt UCLA from going to the Big 10. Could easily see them go for Stanford, Oregon, or Washington as back ups.
I don’t believe it. The Regents could have “tried’ to say no today, and they didn’t. They just gave UCLA more time to come up with concessions. And it’s never been established that the Regents even have the power to stop UCLA. The Regents just said they had this legal power after UCLA suddenly left, like they were making up their own laws to suit themselves. The Regents simply got caught with their pants down, and they know it. Their only hope as I see it is to see if UCLA will voluntarily back down, since so many UCLA supporters… Read more »
I may be off base in my thinking. There’s big money to gain and UCLA is part of the State UC system. I read somewhere where each school administration has the freedom to decide its own course supposedly. But the money is so huge that I don’t see the Regents letting one school keep it all or even most of it. This is the price the Regents may demand in giving this matter a yes vote?
My point is that the Regents aren’t all-powerful. They can’t just stop people from doing what they are legally empowered to do, and UCLA’s lawyers advised them they could make this move if they wanted. Legally, it’s my opinion that UCLA had the right to do what it did, which its lawyers signed off on after reviewing all the facts, documents, etc. The Regents also have to worry about defending themselves for trying to pull the rug out from under a school that has the absolute right and duty to become fiscally responsible. I like UCLA’s position, as well as… Read more »
You and I agree. I do not see the Regents stopping the move. Most likely, they are just figuring out the correct “reparations” to extract from UCLA as part of the move and how to structure it. Gavin Newsome can then gain political points for “protecting the integrity” of the UC system as a cover to extract money from UCLA.
Allen, I have no doubt this is a shakedown. I think it was delayed, in part, because of Cal’s loss of its stadium sponsor. I do not think that the Regents want to have a voice in the running of the B10. I think they want part of the $100 million per year revenue stream that UCLA will be generating as a result of being a member. I think the issue is simply how much and when. My guess is the goal is to shore up Cal’s athletic department budget and so how much and when will depend on just… Read more »
CAL Football Takes Another Hit. UCLA Can’t Fix This One Either…
UC Berkeley Suspends Stadium Naming Rights Deal With Fraudulent FTX
The 10-year deal is the latest to fall through in the wake of the crypto exchange’s bankruptcy filing.
“The deal was originally planned for 10 years and lasted just 450 days. The sponsorship was inked in Aug 2021 for $17.5 million. It was paid entirely in cryptocurrency and was the exchange’s first partnership in college sports. With the deal, CAL’s football stadium was named FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium.
coindesk.com
Hilarious! Only Cal would take a deal paid with crypto, Ha, Ha Ha. Now that 17 million is worth 5. Communists make the worst capitalists!
A deal PAID with crypto or a deal with a PROMISE to pay in crypto? I can’t believe FTX paid the entire 10-year fee up front.
Either way, it’s a wonderful example of the business acumen of the experts running our public institutions.
USC gets good news on Eric Gentry and Mario Williams two days before UCLA game
Shotgun Spratling — Lincoln Riley expects Mario Williams and Eric Gentry to be available on Saturday against UCLA.
Good News! Even without Dye, SC is slightly better on offense and defense. Just enough containment of Charbonney and DTR will win it.
Earlier today, LR described Travis Dye as the “heartbeat of the team” on The Herd. He also said this Trojan team was very internally unselfish, close-knit, and willing to “win for each other.”
No. 7 USC at No. 16 UCLA, 8 p.m. ET (Bleacher Report prediction) USC looks like the Pac-12’s last hope to get a team into the playoff. If TCU stumbles, or a couple of two-loss conference champions emerge, the Trojans could have a shot. USC is 9-1 and will close its season with two ranked opponents in UCLA and Notre Dame. Saturday’s game looks like USC’s biggest test yet. The Bruins are 8-2 with losses to Oregon and Arizona. They beat the team that beat USC earlier in the season in Utah. Like USC, UCLA has an offense that scores… Read more »
I really feel that if USC can come out with the same energy, focus, and execution that it did in the hostile environment of Utah, where most thought we would be manhandled and blown out, we will win this game. I think it’s going to be a carbon copy of that shootout in Utah, and if the refs call a fair, consistent game, I think we can get that one or two important stop in the second half like we did in the early season.
USC at UTAH was such a great game, despite the refs and the outcome.
Lincoln Riley just finished his Colin Cowherd segment. He went into detail about how he lives for big end-of-game moments when there’s nowhere to hide. It’s good to know we now have a coach who mentally thrives on two-minute scenarios, late rallies, tight moments and performing when the chips are down (Sorry Chip!).
Lincoln Riley will be on the Colin Cowherd Show today at 11:30 PT.
Walter Camp Player of Year Semifinalists Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh, RB Will Anderson Jr., Alabama, LB Stetson Bennett IV, Georgia, QB Brock Bowers, Georgia, TE Chase Brown, Illinois, RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA, RB Blake Corum, Michigan, RB Jayden Daniels, LSU, QB Max Duggan, TCU, QB Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State, WR Hendon Hooker, Tennessee, QB Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee, WR Drake Maye, North Carolina, QB Michael Mayer, Notre Dame, TE Bo Nix, Oregon, QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington, QB Bijan Robinson, Texas, RB Noah Sewell, Oregon, LB CJ Stroud, Ohio State, QB Tuli Tuipulotu, USC, DL Caleb Williams, USC, QB Bryce Young,… Read more »
So I see Karen Bass will be the new mayor for you Angelinos. Too bad, there goes LA’s chances for fixing any problems, or would Caruso have done any better?
If Caruso could get LR to USC (a major miracle as far as I’m concerned but I imagine his private jet is very impressive), why couldn’t he fix absolute disaster zone L.A.? I was really rooting for him, but even his own cool $100 mil couldn’t get him close enough to the job. Too bad he didn’t get a shot at effectuating his vision as far as I’m concerned, but I’m a big fan of his. I’m very grateful for all that he’s done for USC. I really liked his campaign message combined with his business savvy, and I would… Read more »
It’s sad. I travel quite a bit and the drug, crime, and homelessness problem is way beyond out of control. In my opinion, it should be addressed as one of, if not the top priorities of both parties. Every major city on the west coast has a huge problem.
Chris, it is sad. I doubt the present Democratic party in CA, or OR, or Washington state is capable of solving it. In fact, they will probably make it worse. And, given the new voting rules in those states, I doubt there is any way to remove them from office. Oregon just re-elected a Democrat governor, CA gave Newsome a landslide victory.
I am long gone from CA and its messed up politicians. A Jerry Brown clone (“Beto” O’Rourke – really Robert O’Rourke who created a Hispanic sounding nickname) was just clobbered in the race for TX governor. Given the new CA voting rules, I cannot imagine anyone not backed by the unions winning in LA. A bit like running against a Daly when the Daly machine ran Chicago. Caruso ran a much better race than I thought possible. Interesting tidbit, I was taught in high school by Rick Caruso’s uncle.
What’s Dancing Beto gonna run for next? 😂
Move to CA, take CA residency, and run for US Senate or Governor. He would fit right in.
Nah. He’d sooner take the tried and true path and run for the Bobby Kennedy/Hillary Clinton carpetbagger seat in NY. He’ll probably adopt some Irish sounding nickname like Paddy, not that he would need to. Unless he’s running in the primary against AOC; then he’ll stick with Beto.
I hope to be out of here in 6-8 month’s, to either Utah or Idaho, where people are ” normal”, and don’t keep reelecting Marxists. This state is a grease fire. LA could have made a sensible choice with Caruso, but went with buzz cut Bass, who is a Socialist. Soon, California will not a have a middle class.
LOS ANGELES — USC DL Tuli Tuipulotu has been selected as a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. This award, presented by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown honors the nation’s top defensive player.
Tuipulotu’s 11.5 sacks are the most in a single season at USC since Kenechi Udeze set the Trojans’ record with 16.5 in 2003.
Tuipulotu is USC’s second Bronko Nagurski finalist and first in 14 seasons. The other finalist was LB Rey Maualuga in 2008.
The other three finalists for the award are Alabama LB Will Anderson Jr., Pitt DT Calijah Kancey and Georgia S Chris Smith.
usctrojans.com
That is amazing, considering how awful this D has played at times. What does that say about the rest of the D talent?
Several weeks ago, I said here that Tuli reminded me of the great Junior Seau. Of course, there will always be only one Junior. But as you suggest, without Tuli on this team, I shudder to think what our already challenged D would look like.