What We Learned: How USC is trying to fix its running game

The Trojans ran when they absolutely needed it versus Utah. Will they be able to do so when they want to versus Washington?
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest difference with USC this year compared to last is the offense as a whole. Look no further than the quarterback play. The Trojans have essentially won with three different guys, with each playing well. One of them hadn’t played in three years. Another hadn’t played at all.

Whereas this year’s team is a play away from being unbeaten, the 2018 Trojans playing the 2019 schedule might be 0-4.

With that said, there’s been a running issue with the offense the past few weeks: the running game. Last week against Utah, the Trojans were approaching the school record for rushing futility after three quarters, having gained -- no, that’s not the right word -- having disposed minus-17 yards on nine attempts.

Frustration over the matter prompted offensive coordinator Graham Harrell to chew out offensive line coach Tim Drevno and the linemen at halftime, per sources.

“We changed the blocking schemes and it worked out perfectly,” center Brett Neilon said afterward. “It led to a touchdown and a couple first downs down the stretch. When it counted, we ran the ball.”

That’s technically true. The Trojans tallied 45 yards in the final frame to run up its total to 28 -- not including the 15 yards that were subtracted by taking a knee on the final three plays. Of course, running while ahead late in the game is the easiest set of circumstances, and also not enough.

“Up front, if you look at a lot of the negative runs last week it was just miscommunication,” Harrell said. 

Communication, he then noted, is even more crucial on the road. This weekend in Washington isn’t your average game outside the Coliseum, as Husky Stadium is among the loudest venues in the Pac-12.

“There were a few (times) where the noise got us (at BYU),” Neilon said. “I think that was a big learning curve for this week.”

The sophomore center said he and the linemen have been working more on their hand signals and other non-verbal cues in preparation for a raucous atmosphere in Seattle. How much they can clean up in a week might be the X factor on the road Saturday. Things haven’t exactly been smooth at home either, mind you.

There was a play versus Utah in which Neilon misunderstood Matt Fink and relayed a pass play to his peers. Alijah Vera-Tucker ended up pulling, while Neilon and McKenzie were positioned to protect. The play, fortunately, only went for no gain.

“That kills the whole play,” Neilon said.

The players admit their struggles sometimes extend beyond communication. Bad technique has led to linemen blocking at the wrong angles. They’ve also struggled to recognize how defenses are playing their blocks and countering their schemes. Through four games, USC is averaging only 3.6 yards per carry. Even when isolating the attempts by the running backs, the figure is just 4.6.

Washington’s defensive front doesn’t appear to be as good as it has been in recent years. But McKenzie said the Huskies have speed on the edge, while the inside guys are crafty and laterally quick. 

Harrell said he liked how USC pass protected last week. But he also knows he needs more from his ground attack against Washington, which the Trojans expect will dare them to run by playing Cover 3. Harrell is hopeful his O-line turned a corner during the final drives of the Utah game. 

The Trojans didn’t have a single carry go for more than five yards until the fourth quarter, when Vavae Malepeai broke off four of them. Markese Stepp, who didn’t appear until about 10 minutes remained in the game, also ran for a 4-yard TD to push USC’s lead to 10 and later converted a third-and-1 that allowed the Trojans to run out the clock.

The million dollar question is whether we'll finally see more of USC's 235-pound bull versus the Huskies. That answer won't be known until Saturday. Just as important is if USC's offensive line experienced a moment of clarity in the second half against the Utes.

“If they can play with that mentality the entire game, you got something special,” Harrell said. “That’s the message: Just go out there, know that teams are going to try to make us run at times, especially with the monsters we have at receiver. There are going to be days where they’re going to try to force you to run the football.”

Here’s guessing Saturday will be one of them.

FOOTNOTES

Defensive end Christian Rector (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday. 

Quarterback Kedon Slovis (concussion), safety Talanoa Hufanga (concussion, shoulder) and cornerback Olaijah Griffin (back) remained out. While Helton will presumably update their statuses when he addresses the media again Thursday, sources say Hufanga and Griffin are out for Saturday's game at Washington.

Hufanga, as you know, is coming off the best performance of his career.

“He’s a guy that’s a playmaker,” defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast said. “You try to use him up around the line of scrimmage. You try to use him in coverage. He’s playing well and getting better the more he’s out there. Not only is it hurting us as a team and defensively, but when he’s not out there he’s not gaining valuable reps himself. It hurts in all areas.”

Not having Griffin, the team's best cornerback thus far, will hurt as well. Isaac Taylor-Stuart, who returned this week from a concussion, would start opposite Chris Steele. 

Hufanga's absence might prompt Pendergast to turn to more of a committee at strong safety, not totally unlike how Harrell has been repping different players at quarterback this week. Chase Williams has claimed the bulk of Hufanga’s reps. The redshirt freshman has produced mixed results while alternating between safety and nickel.

“Very smart, cerebral guy that can do a lot of different things,” Pendergast said.

The USC DC then mentioned C.J. Pollard, Briton Allen and Jordan McMillan might also rotate with Williams.

“All those guys are getting work,” he said. “When you get to this point in the year, guys are nicked up. The next man up is going to have to play.”


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Adam Maya
ADAM MAYA