David Bridges
So, in a game where the over-under was 70 points, how many people thought USC would not score a touchdown in any of the first three quarters? How many people thought USC would produce one touchdown drive of over 26 yards for the whole game? How many people thought USC would hold Oregon State to 14 points? How many people thought USC would fail to score 20 points and still win?
This game defied expectations on so many levels, and there are so many layers of the onion to peel away that we’re not going to capture every single angle of this game. Here’s a first look at how Twitter processed this game as it unfolded:
TULI
They really don’t get any better than Tuli💯
— Reign of Troy (@ReignofTroy) September 25, 2022
EARLY CONCERN
Justin Dedich is nowhere near 100%. He is limping around with that brace/splint thing on his leg between plays. I don’t think the appliance lets him even flex that leg.
— RichSC (@OriginalRichSC) September 25, 2022
JOIN THE CLUB
USC rushes for 37 on the first play and then doesn’t run for the rest of that drive. Weird.
— Don Smalley (@Donald_Smalley) September 25, 2022
TACTICS
Wonder at what point Riley goes up-tempo to snap the Trojans into rhythm?
— R.J. Abeytia (@RJ_Abeytia) September 25, 2022
CROWD NOISE
There’s 8:03 left in the first quarter and #USC has already used two timeouts.
— Antonio Morales (@AntonioCMorales) September 25, 2022
PATIENCE
Caleb Williams has yet to throw a strike. Keep running and/or attack the flats until he’s got it. Wasting time otherwise right now.
— Michael Castillo (@MichaelCastFS) September 25, 2022
SUBOPTIMAL
Raleek Brown was open. Caleb Williams’ throw was at his feet. Even with the pressure coming, that’s one USC needs to complete.
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) September 25, 2022
THE BIG QUESTION
#USC getting a lot of learning lessons from new experience tonight.
Will those be night-long lessons or will the Trojans make adjustments during the game?
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) September 25, 2022
GOTTA DO SOMETHING WITH THIS
The Trojans defense forces its 11th turnover as linebacker Eric Gentry grabs an interception over the middle. It’s the danger zone trying to throw anywhere near Gentry’s 7-foot wingspan. Huge play for #USC.
— Ryan Young (@RyanYoungRivals) September 25, 2022
ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED
You mean the empty backfield, stare down the first read deep isn’t working for you?
— Jack Foley (@JackDFoley) September 25, 2022
NO ONE EXPECTED THIS
#USC trails Oregon State 7-3 at the break.
The #Trojan defense came to play. The offense has not.
— Chris Treviño (@ChrisNTrevino) September 25, 2022
VERY WEIRD
Caleb Williams was 6-18 for 64 yards in the first half. Travis Dye ran 9 times for 92 yards.
— USC Football News (@USCFootballNews) September 25, 2022
TRUE STATEMENT
Pooch punt notwithstanding, that was a great stop from USC led by its best player, Tuli Tuipulotu.
Trojan defense has answered the bell nicely tonight.
— R.J. Abeytia (@RJ_Abeytia) September 25, 2022
LACK OF CLARITY
Caleb not seeing the field. Wide open Addison for 6
— John U Choi DDS, PhD (@jcperio1) September 25, 2022
SEE WHAT’S THERE
#USC really needs some quicker hitting plays. #Trojans are waiting around for Oregon State to line up on some of these naps.
— Gerard Martinez (@gmartlive) September 25, 2022
IMPORTANT DETAIL
Justin Dedich is struggling with his right leg injury. He came out for one play but then came back in after the failed second-down run.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) September 25, 2022
AN OPPORTUNITY
Pressure on the stunt from Solomon Byrd and Earl Barquet causes the misfire and Ceyair Wright is there for the INT.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) September 25, 2022
CRAZYPANTS
If you’d have told me USC wouldn’t score a touchdown in three quarters vs. Oregon St., I’d have called you a liar.
If you’d have told me USC would hold Oregon St. to just 7 points through three quarters, I’d have called you insane.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) September 25, 2022
HE CAME TO PLAY
The gamble pays off big time. Travis Dye breaks through the arms of a tackler and is into the end zone for USC’s first touchdown of the game. Trojans up 10-7
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) September 25, 2022
OH BOY
this Oregon State-USC 4th quarter has big “42 combined points in the final 10 minutes” energy
— carlos: a pac-12 enjoyer (@equitybruin) September 25, 2022
CAUGHT SOME BREAKS
lol embarrassing officiating in this game
— Kyle Kensing (@KyleKensing) September 25, 2022
UPSIDE-DOWN
USC holding one of their best opponents to only 7 and yet still being in trouble is NOT one any single person on planet Earth had at any point this season.
— Ian Hest (@IanHest) September 25, 2022
HARD TO EXPLAIN
Caleb Williams had Jordan Addison wide open cutting across the field on third down and threw it down by his legs where Addison was unable to haul it in. Trojans defense will have to rise to the occasion again as Oregon State gets a gift and the ball with 7:37 left. #USC
— Ryan Young (@RyanYoungRivals) September 25, 2022
PAYING THE PRICE
The fact that #USC might lose having given up 14 points all night is wild
— Chris Treviño (@ChrisNTrevino) September 25, 2022
Clara Hastings
