Balls and bombs: USC at ASU edition (slideshow)

November 9, 8:39 AMUSC Trojans ExaminerNeal Leitereg

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Photo by Tim Lutes

A Southern California defense kept the Trojans in it for much of the game and ultimately allowed USC to escape Tempe, Arizona, with a victory... [Continue Reading]

Looking back at the Trojans' most recent game against the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday, there were a few notable performances and there were also a number of plays that made you want to pull your hair out.

Let's take a look at some of the game balls and game bombs.

And the offensive game ball goes to...Damian Williams

Damian Williams receives the offensive game ball for a second week in a row due to his contributions on Saturday against the Sun Devils. While it was not exactly the offensive explosion that Southern California was looking for against Arizona State, Williams did supply us with both the play and the offensive performance of the game. The play of the game came on a short screen pass from Matt Barkley to Williams in the 3^rd quarter. Credit Barkley for getting the pass to his wide receiver; but, after that, it was all Damian Williams at work, as he took the ball 75 yards all the way for the touchdown. This touchdown would also be the decisive score of the game, as the Trojans snuck out of Tempe with a 14-9 win. With Williams' success on punt returns, it was only a matter of time until he broke off a touchdown reception such as this one against the Sun Devils.

Honorable mention...(The blockers on Williams' touchdown run. Great blocks and no penalties negating the play.)

And the offensive game bomb goes to...Matt Barkley

Arizona State is a very tough defensive team and the Sun Devils proved this fact against the Trojans on Saturday, so we will give our true freshman, Matt Barkley, a little bit of credit. However, 7-of-22 for 112 yards, one touchdown and one interception will not get it done in the long run for USC, especially with a showdown against the Stanford Cardinal looming. Barkley's one interception on the day could not have come at a worse time as it allowed the Sun Devils to get a crack at the victory in the waning moments of the game. That being said, I will remind you all that, while he has not played like a true freshman for most of the year (he has played much better), Barkley still is a true freshman and will be prone to a mistake or two as he learns on the job. Have no fear, this is a special kid and we have yet to scratch the surface in terms of what he can do.

Dishonorable mention...The individuals who committed offensive penalties. (You know who you are. These penalties stalled drives and sucked the life out of an already unproductive USC offense.)

And the defensive game ball goes to...Will Harris

This is what we call a no-brainer. Harris came up huge in the game against Arizona State, providing a shot in the arm to a Trojans' defense that needed it more now than ever. Harris' pick-six of Arizona State quarterback Danny Sullivan could not have come at a better time for USC. Without Harris' big interception of Sullivan and subsequent 55-yard touchdown return of said interception, the Trojans could very well have gone into halftime trailing, yes trailing, 3-0. Harris' second interception of Brock Osweiler in the waning moments of the game was icing on the cake for this particular member of the Trojans, although it appears that half of that INT should go to Taylor Mays. I have a feeling Harris will not mind sharing.

Honorable mention...Josh Pinkard (7 tackles and 1 fumble recovered)

And the defensive game bomb goes to...(The defensive players who committed penalties, you know who you are.)

See a common theme working here? Nine penalties for 98 yards just cannot happen even against an offensively challenged team such as Arizona State. Imagine giving up 98 yards on the field to Stanford next weekend. Scary thought, right? The Trojans need to figure out how to keep playing high octane football without all the transgressions.

Dishonorable mention...Nobody (Trojans' defense played a great game holding the Sun Devils to under double-digit points. Looking beyoun the penalties, this group rebounded from the Oregon game and played very well.)

And the coaching game ball goes to...Pete Carroll

Coach Carroll, you were able to win the game even with your offense not having the greatest day on the field. You kept your guys motivated and in the right state-of-mind to capture this victory in the desert. When you add the fact that Arizona State may have the best defense in the Pac-10, you deserve not only credit but the coaching game ball of the week.

And the coaching game bomb goes to...Dennis Erickson

Coach Erickson, you had your guys amped up and ready to play, but your decision to insert true freshman quarterback Brock Osweiler into the starting lineup should have come weeks ago! This Osweiler kid, all 6-foot-8 of him, is equally intriguing as he is talented and I for one cannot wait for the next Barkley-Osweiler showdown sometime next year. Better luck next season Coach Erickson.