Trojans Get a Day to Rest and Reflect

On a Sunday as gloomy as USC’s recent losing streak, the coaching staff gave the players a rest from their regular afternoon running.

“We felt we could use the day off our legs,” Coach Paul Hackett said.

So the team spent the day in meetings and reviewing film of Saturday’s loss to California, looking for clues as to why the offense bogged down in the second half.

The Trojans scored 16 points in the first 30 minutes, none thereafter. They gained 265 yards in the first half, 55 thereafter. Seventeen first downs in the first half, five thereafter.

Both of Carson Palmer’s interceptions came under a heavy pass rush during the second half.

“They came out blitzing like crazy,” Palmer said. “It was hard to get ourselves out of that.”

*

Palmer took a hard sack on the last play of the game, well after it was clear the Trojans had no chance of coming back. Hackett was asked why he didn’t play reserve quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst in the final minutes.

“Carson has more escapability than Van Raaphorst does,” he said. “It was clear we had to pass, it was clear they were going to come flying upfield. It would have been a disservice to Van Raaphorst.”

NEXT UP FOR USC

WHO: Arizona State

WHERE: Tempe, Ariz.

WHEN: Saturday, 6 p.m.

TV: Fox Sp. Net 2

RADIO: XTRA (690)