The story of the 2nd half

Really, there are two stories. 

One, USC defense.  They came out on fire.  They dominated the 3rd quarter.  They boosted the energy in the coliseum and invigorated their offense.  And they held the Irish back for the 3rd... then they held the Irish back for 10 minutes in the 4th.  Interceptions were the highlight, but only a small part of the story.  The defense just plain shined.

Two, play calling.  But this is hardly a story.  It is rather a theme for the entire season.  Kiffin continues to make questionable and strange play calls.  I mean, come on... he called the exact same play 4 downs in a row, and it took all 4 downs to punch it into the end zone from the 9-yard line.  Granted, the calls had some improvement in the 4th.  But, as good as the defense was playing, the USC points should have been much higher than 16 when the Irish finally scored with less than 3 minutes remaining on the clock. 

Should have been, but they weren't.

So when the Irish finally got things together, they didn't have far to go.  And one interception for the Irish defense was all they needed.

the best part about the weekend...

At the half-way point of a 4-day weekend, I think  its fitting to remember why weekends are so great...

Football.  Yesterday there were some great games!  And on the weekend, we actually have time to watch them :)  This is especially note-worthy because, after having weekends off for 5 years, I was nervous I might have to miss the games this year.  Thankfully, I only missed a part of one game due to work.  But now that I have weekends off again, it is great knowing I can watch all the games :)

Breakfast.  During the week, breakfast is normally the muffin I grab on the way out the door.  Sometimes I'll have enough time to make a smoothie or pour a bowl of cereal to take with me.  But on the weekends?  I can fry up some sausage, bake a German pancake, pour some OJ, and smother my toast with homemade jam.  On this 4-day weekend, I'm having German pancakes twice.  Because I can.

To-do lists.  Yes, this is a benefit of the weekends.  Like it or not, life includes a to-do list.  And on the weekends, I actually have time to scratch a few things off.  When Monday (or the case of this week, Tuesday) comes along, my list will be a little shorter.

Yes, I love my weekends.  This weekend I may not have the luxury of a nap, but that's okay.  I have football, breakfast, and accomplishment underneath my belt!

At the half...

42-0.  USC v. Cal

The last time USC had a lead over 40 at the half?  2008 in Pullman, WA.  At that game, the score was 41-0 at the half.

In 2008, USC was ranked 6 going into the game and WSU was dead last (or somewhere near that), not winning any games in the NCAA that year (though they did win against PSU that year).

So what does this say about today's game? USC is not even in the top 25.  Cal is not too far behind them, wherever they fall.  Either Cal is having a very off day today, or USC has finally pulled things together.  I have to say, the defense... looking pretty good so far today.

At the half...

USC v. Stanford.  14-14.

Here's the problem: USC defense.  Wrap up, guys!  You can't just tap a guy on the shoulder and expect him to fall down.  You've gotta wrap up and drag him to the ground.

So why is USC missing this?  Because they had no contact all summer.  When you don't hit in practice, you get used to tapping a guy on the shoulder and expecting him to stop.  That's not the way it works during the season!

Who's doing well?

Havili.  He's getting yards and he fights for them.

Why does he have so much success?  Because he doesn't go down.  Even when he gets flipped around by the defender, he keeps fighting.  He back-pedals and picks up extra yards. 

Barkley.  He's threading needles with his accuracy in passing.  Sure, there have been some missed throws, but can you complain when his pass completion is well over 60% (65.9% to be exact)?  And he's continuing to improve.

a weekend away

There's something refreshing about a change of pace and a change of setting. 

The drive was long.  For some reason, sitting in the back seat makes a drive feel longer to me than if I was driving.  But I made the most of the time, either napping or studying. 

The weather was great.  Nearly perfect, in fact.  Something about walking around in jeans, flip flops, and a tank top just feels right.  Studying outside makes it that much better.

The game was awesome.  I mean, a solid win is always good, right?!  Of course I could go on and on about the defense (they are obviously still adjusting to a new defensive coach and Monte's defensive scheme) or the improvements of the other team since the last time they hosted USC (which was a devastating loss for WSU at 69-0), but I will refrain.  Still, it was a good game.  The season should be interesting.