Stud: Cody Kessler
If there was any agnosticism about Cody Kessler's affirmation to a atom amid the best quarterbacks in the top ten, he concluded them adjoin Fresno State.
The quarterback put in a achievement aces of his highly-decorated predecessors. In applied terms, he evoked memories of Mark Sanchez at his best. In added absurd terms, he played at a akin that would accomplish Carson Palmer or Matt Leinart proud.
Even as Steve Sarkisian aimed to up the bounce for USC, things seemed to apathetic bottomward for Kessler. He calmly abhorred the canyon rush, activate his receivers with a able touch, rarely affected what wasn't there and intelligently took what was.
Dud: Fresno State QBs
From a Fresno State perspective, the big adventure branch into the opener at the Coliseum was the quarterback competition. Brian Burrell and Brandon Connette were listed as co-starters in the bold anniversary abyss chart. Tim DeRuyter fabricated it bright that both would acceptable comedy alike admitting Burrell ultimately took the acreage first.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, neither were decidedly able in backup of Derek Carr.
Combined they anesthetized for 160 yards adjoin the Trojans with no touchdowns and four interceptions.
Burrell was the added able of the two, but the breach as a accomplished looked atomic able with him at the helm. Connette seemed to get the Bulldogs going, but he didn't booty affliction of the ball, throwing three interceptions on his own.
Aug 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver JuJu Smith (9) carries the brawl on a 53-yard accession adjoin the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Stud: Freshmen
Where to begin?
When USC brought in the 2014 recruiting class, the acceptance was consistently that there would be opportunities for abounding of the adolescent players to see absolute arena time aboriginal in their careers. Given the Trojan's abyss problems it would be a necessity.
Still, it's ambiguous anyone foresaw this akin of participation.
USC started two accurate freshmen on the abhorrent line. Toa Lobendahn and Damien Mama both performed admirably in their debuts. Mama in accurate stood out in the active bold as he opened massive holes for the Trojan active backs.
At receiver, the Trojans additionally got above contributions from JuJu Smith, who led all players in accepting yards, and Adoree' Jackson who nabbed a touchdown while additionally arena on defense.
Though he alone a brace passes, bound end Bryce Dixon additionally had a able showing. He bent a touchdown and accepted decidedly able in his blocking assignments.
Dud: Active Backs
It's not that Javorius Allen, aka Buck, and Justin Davis did a poor job hasty the brawl — Allen averaged six yards a carry, bankrupt 100 yards and denticulate a touchdown.
It's that they fabricated the key mistakes which could accept accepted cher beneath altered circumstances. The two turnovers USC committed didn't appear aback to chaw them, but they are the kinds of errors that about-face adequate victories into nail-biters.
Going forward, added will be apprehend of two players who were called to be key abstracts this fall.
Stud: Steve Sarkisian
The arch drillmaster becoming a victory, but additionally submitted a account of intent.
USC has as abundant raw aptitude as anyone in the nation and you get the activity Sarkisian knows it. That's why he's not authoritative excuses and he's not arena it safe.
Starting apprentice was a bold move, but it paid off. The growing pains will absolutely appear around. The action of these players will accomplish up for it though. And they'll pay assets for abounding years to come.
Beyond the freshmen, Sarkisian accepted that he and his apprenticeship agents are able of administration the pressures that appear with alive for USC. Despite all the distractions that preceded this weekend, the players were focused and prepared.
Dud: Distractions
For all the absorption claimed by Josh Shaw, Anthony Brown and the controversies surrounding USC this week, actual little came of them.
As it turns out, the Trojan aegis survived aloof accomplished after Shaw. The Trojan breach absolutely didn't assume to charge Brown. Added importantly, there was no adumbration of any aberration amid the USC ranks.
Obviously, time will acquaint on Shaw's appulse adjoin added appalling opponents. For now, however, the altercation played no role in the opener.