[BostonCard]

[quote author=stupac2 link=topic=18246.msg216408#msg216408 date=1512190597]
It was a 3-point game, there are probably 20 different plays you can point to and say "what if?"

But based on ESPN's graphic after the onside kick the ypp differential was 2.0 in U$C's favor. It's a minor miracle that we were still in it. It's just frustrating and sad that we lost in basically the same way as the earlier game, we just couldn't stop their offense.

Yeah, it was a miracle the game was close at all. The offense was OK. Could've been better, but not at all bad. The defense was poor. I have no way of going back to it, but it seemed like it surrendered of exceedingly large proportions chunks of yardage routinely in 3rd down and other advantageous situations. That's frustrating, but perhaps indicates that this iteration was not so far away. Of course, Phillips' departure will knock the defense back several steps, and I don't think the upcoming defensive linemen have incubated yet.
[/quote]

Interestingly, we actually converted a higher percentage of third downs (6/12) than USC (6/13). Of course, one of those non-conversions was Perez' unsportsmanlike that resulted in a first down.  And also, USC was 2/2 on fourth down, we were 0/1, and it was a very costly one.

BC

[BostonCard]

[quote author=stupac2 link=topic=18246.msg216408#msg216408 date=1512190597]
It was a 3-point game, there are probably 20 different plays you can point to and say "what if?"

But based on ESPN's graphic after the onside kick the ypp differential was 2.0 in U$C's favor. It's a minor miracle that we were still in it. It's just frustrating and sad that we lost in basically the same way as the earlier game, we just couldn't stop their offense.

Yeah, it was a miracle the game was close at all. The offense was OK. Could've been better, but not at all bad. The defense was poor. I have no way of going back to it, but it seemed like it surrendered of exceedingly large proportions chunks of yardage routinely in 3rd down and other advantageous situations. That's frustrating, but perhaps indicates that this iteration was not so far away. Of course, Phillips' departure will knock the defense back several steps, and I don't think the upcoming defensive linemen have incubated yet.
[/quote]

Interestingly, we actually converted a higher percentage of third downs (6/12) than USC (6/13). Of course, one of those non-conversions was Perez' unsportsmanlike that resulted in a first down.  And also, USC was 2/2 on fourth down, we were 0/1, and it was a very costly one.

BC