It took one quarter for USC’s offense to show some spars they had been lacking this season under former head coach Lane Kiffin. Cody Kessler completed two different touchdown passes of at least 60 yards, one to Nelson Agholor and another to Tre Madden, to get the Trojans off on a fast start against Arizona Thursday night.
With Ed Orgeron coaching his first game for the Trojans under the interim tag, filling in for the fired Kiffin, it has quickly become apparent there is still life within the USC program. Social networking conversations suggested Orgeron was giving everyone a breath of fresh air, from players to fans. So far, it may have made a difference. For one half, at least.
Kessler is already well on his way to a new career high for passing yards in a game, with 218 yards at the half to go with two touchdowns. He set a career high in USC’s loss two weeks ago to Arizona State with 295 passing yards. The USC running game may not have big numbers, but the power running game seems to have found a groove late in the half. USC has also done a very good job shutting down Arizona’s running offense, holding Ka’Deem Carey to 50 yards on 11 rushing attempts.
Arizona did manage to score one touchdown, with a 57-yard lob and run from B.J. Denker to Nate Phillips in the final minute of the half. Will that turn things around, or will USC continue to perform the way they have so far?
The Trojans even have a blocked punt to get the special teams involved.
USC is without some players, including receiver Marqise Lee, but does welcome back running back Silas Redd to the offense.
Is this what USC will look like in the second half of the season? If so, could Orgeron actually coach himself in to a position as a favorite to retain the duties of head coach beyond this season?