The revered host of the 1932 Olympics, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, underwent a much-needed facelift in the off season that was needed every bit as much as those undergone by 60-year olds, living in Hollywood, who were once starlets. Job well done!
Yet this transformation was one-upped by another for the Trojans. USC was implementing the air raid offense, even after Kliff Kingsbury bolted for the Arizona Cardinals (talk about failing forward!!). Another Texas Tech alum, Graham Harrell, was tabbed as the offensive coordinator after Kingsbury’s unexpected departure.
Except for a goal-line interception thrown by JT Daniels, the Air Raid was humming in the first half to the tune of 300+ yards. Then, disaster! Just before halftime, Daniels’ night came to an abrupt end when he was sacked. After being helped off, worst fears became realized on Sunday when ligament damage ended Daniels’ 2019.
Despite being significantly outplayed, Fresno State managed to go into halftime down by only 17-10. Knowing that USC would be going with a backup QB in the second half, the Bulldogs had to feel that they were truly a live dog that could potentially add to the glorious first week for the Mountain West (Arizona was upset by Hawaii, Missouri was shocked at Wyoming, Purdue collapsed at Nevada — all were double digit favorites against the Mountain West teams. In addition, Boise State was physically the much stronger second-half team in the mugginess of Tallahassee as they upset Florida State).
Enter true freshman Kedon Slovis (no, he did not prep in Fresno’s largest suburb, Clovis) as Daniels’ replacement. What had happened to Jack Sears? In Sears’ one 2018 start, he played well against Arizona State. Sears evidently had a tough camp and was not even clearly designated as the 2019 backup. He entered the transfer portal last week. Prematurely, one could not help but think?
To make matters worse for Trojan worshipers, not even the most ardent USC fan would say that Clay Helton was the coaching equal of his Fresno counterpart, Jeff Tedford. Tedford’s last two years produced the greatest turnaround of the 21st century – easily. Fresno State won only 1 game in 2016. Enter Tedford. In 2017-18, the Bulldogs won 22 games under the helm of the former Fresno State QB. Tedford previously led another stunning turnaround at Cal, before some recruiting deficiencies did him in at the end of his 11-year tenure at Strawberry Canyon.
Critics of Helton often pointed to his indecisiveness and game mismanagement. Both issues were borne out Saturday night. Velus Jones electrified the crowd with an opening 75-yard kickoff return. After an interminable delay, USC was flagged for having 2 players wearing the same number. Really? THIS malpractice on the first play of the season? With 9 months to prepare?
Jones was heard from again. Was he ever! His 3rd quarter KO return touchdown gave USC’s raw freshmen QB some needed breathing room. Such room was needed as one of the surprises of the night was the play of unheralded JC transfer, Fresno QB Jorge Reyna. His elusiveness frustrated the Trojans all night. Perhaps we should not be surprised as Tedford has had a well deserved reputation as a QB whisperer (Marcus McMaryion was much improved as a QB in 2017-18. Tedford was also key in the development of Aaron Rodgers and Trent Dilfer).
Nursing a 31-23 lead in the waning moments, USC made a reasonable decision to go for it on 4th and 1 in plus territory. What resulted was a Keystone Kop play as a USC running back and Slovis collided after the snap. Fresno ball. A 30+ yard pass play gave Fresno the ball deep in Trojan territory. An end zone interception preserved a narrow USC win.
Talent-wise, Fresno had no business staying so close to USC. Take another bow, Jeff Tedford! Can USC beat a tough Stanford defense this Saturday night with Slovis? As Stanford may also be playing a backup QB, this could be a first-to-17 game. By all accounts, Clay Helton is a nice guy. Which is a shame, because he is going to need to do well in 2019 against a tough schedule with a true freshman QB.