USC vs. Arizona final score: Five takeaways from the Wildcats’ blowout loss to the Trojans

This one was never really close

The Arizona Wildcats are now on their bye week after getting trounced by the USC Trojans Saturday afternoon in Arizona Stadium.

This game was never really close, and the Trojans took it to the Cats throughout the day. The Arizona offense was never able to get into a rhythm, and the Arizona defense struggled to shut down Sam Darnold and JuJu Smith-Schuster in this one.

So here are five things we took away.

1. Third down defense -- still killing this team

USC converted six of their first seven third downs in the game, allowing them to get out to an early lead, as well as absolutely wear out the time of possession stat. I used to think this was a problem with the SWAT team mentality of Jeff Casteel, but there are larger issues, as illustrated by this screenshot:

@tysny9 @snyds7 3rd and 2. Why are Zona's DBs 10 yards off? http://pic.twitter.com/wUAczqUlZT

— John Snyder (@jcats88) October 15, 2016

How are you supposed to force a fourth down with that?

2. Khalil Tate can not succeed against a first-team defense...right now

With Anu Solomon not even listed on the gameday depth chart, and Brandon Dawkins out with a concussion, the 17-year-old true freshman out of Serra got his first career collegiate start.

It didn’t go well. Tate was only able to complete one pass in the first half, a four-yarder to Samajie Grant that was almost dropped on third and long. Tate had a severely overthrown interception, and a costly fumble that gave USC good field position on both occasions. This all resulted in a negative passer rating, which I didn’t even know was possible.

It’s important to remember that Tate is 17, but you also have to take into account that his only periods of sustained success this year have come against backup defenses late in games. With a bye week forthcoming, you’d think Dawkins will be back for the next game, giving Arizona a better option behind center.

3. Save Nick Wilson from himself

In the end, the decision to let a player play comes from the medical staff and what that player tells the medical staff about their condition. It’s time to save Nick Wilson from himself. His ankles/knees can’t take whatever is happening to him at this point, and he should be held out. No reason to risk long-term health.

4. What other team uses its fourth-string TE at quarterback?

To start Arizona’s final drive of the third quarter, tight end Matt Morin took over the reigns of the offense, coming on in place of Tate. Morin doesn’t necessarily have the athleticism of any of the Wildcats’ quarterbacks, but it was interesting to see him run the offense, and do so with conviction. There may be a time down the road when Morin will have to be used at quarterback, and he at least got some reps in a game situation.

Morin ended up throwing an interception, and now has more career passing TDs than Chaparral HS teammate Connor Brewer. Let that one sink in.

5. Attendance numbers mean nothing

The announced attendance for this game was 55,463, and was considered a sellout. There were definitely not more than 40,000 people at this game at any given time, and there were about 20,000 to start halftime, including about 200 remaining ZonaZoo members.

When you get indifference about your program from your fanbase, you have your biggest problem of all. Arizona is there now.

from Arizona Desert Swarm - All Posts http://ift.tt/2e47m3w
via IFTTT