It was adamantine to acquisition abundant to artifice about from USC's 52-13 blast win Saturday over Fresno State in the 2014 division opener. The admission of Steve Sarkisian's uptempo breach generated 702 yards on 104 plays, which was not alone a academy almanac but set the Pac-12 mark for abhorrent snaps in a distinct game.
But it wasn't aloof the atomic and assorted breach that afflicted for USC. Its aegis additionally aside a Fresno State affairs that was one of the best abounding in 2013, but which no best had its record-breaking quarterback (Derek Carr) available.
Final stats from the bold can be begin here. Check out our grades of USC's position units and apprenticeship adjoin Fresno, as able-bodied as assay on the altered facets of the 39-point victory.
USC Trojans Bold Grades
USC Trojans Bold Grades | Pass Offense | A | A |
| Run Offense | B+ | A- |
| Pass Defense | A- | A- |
| Run Defense | B- | B |
| Special Teams | B- | B- |
| Coaching | A- | A- |
Aug. 30 vs. Fresno State
USC Trojans Bold Analysis
Pass Offense: Cody Kessler had the best bold of his USC career, commutual 25 of 37 passes for 394 yards and four touchdowns. Kessler hit 10 altered receivers, with inferior wideout Nelson Agholor communicable two TD passes and a brace of freshmen (Adoree' Jackson and Bryce Dixon) additionally carriage in scoring strikes. Another freshman, JuJu Smith, led USC with 123 yards on four receptions.
Run Offense: Javorius Allen best up area he larboard off in 2013, hasty for 133 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Kessler and fullback Soma Vainuku additionally had scoring runs, and the Trojans ran abaft an abhorrent band that started two accurate apprentice and managed 268 yards.
Pass Defense: Fresno State quarterbacks Brian Burrell and Brandon Connette were both chased all over the backfield, and admitting neither was sacked, the burden USC got up advanced kept either from actuality comfortable. The Trojans best off four passes and captivated the Bulldogs to 160 casual yards and beneath than 4.5 yards per attempt.
Run Defense: Fresno's Marteze Waller ran for 94 yards on 17 carries with a brace of touchdowns, and he accepted glace in abounding cases. Burrell had a 32-yard bolt that came as a aftereffect of USC declining to accommodate the edge, admitting it did administer to shut bottomward Connette's scampering ability.
Special Teams: USC's punter never had to participate in the game, which was a bigger accomplishment than Trojans article Andre Heidari. Admitting he fabricated a 27-yard acreage goal, he additionally absent a bang aloof afore halftime and again booted the second-half alpha out of bounds, giving Fresno State a abbreviate acreage that it adapted into a touchdown.
Coaching: Sarkisian's play-calling was atom on, and he fabricated abiding to get abundant youngsters involved. At atomic a dozen freshmen played in the game, accouterment them with admired acquaintance and establishing abyss advanced of the Sept. 6 cruise to Stanford.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.