Gritty Tough Win on the Road

[BigBalls]

. Nebbie  pulled out all the stops, blackout, Ruhle contract extension, hype, freaking balloons,  etc. This was a huge game for Nebraskas season.

Raiola getting knocked out played a role, he was 10/15 for 91 yards. Not great. Credit to the defense on the play we issued him a disability voucher. Physical.#6 had his best game as a Trojan. But we won because Riley pounded the rock. 200+ rushing yards. I haven’t seen that many gashes since Kim Kardashians last video. Miller is the real deal and not a flash in the pan. How was he overlooked out of HS?
For a change our D limited their big plays. No gashing of the Trojans. We only allowed 3 points in the second half. On the road? What?

Nebbie’s secondary was really good. Maiava’s struggled but pushed thru for a gritty performance. Oline was solid, allowed only one sack. 8 penalties, the one on 17 for unsportsmanlike conduct really fried my ballz. Maiava running was a difference maker, you could see Nebbie didn’t expect or believe he would run.  Maiava running made a huge difference in this game.

Bottom line, this was a game USC needed to win, so much at stake. Trojans were down at halftime and out scored Nebbie 15-3 in the second half. Down 2 rb starters and three OL. Riley continues to show that he is still learning. Winning the coin toss and deferring, the dumb trick play, the 4th and 2 gaffe, continuing to throw inside the opponents 10 yard line. Oy Vei!
USC won, we are on our way to 8-2 heading to Eugene, we won a big road game on national tv, we are in the conversation in November and still have the #1 recruiting class. Try to enjoy this win, it was a good one.

 

 

[Java]

Yeah very true.  I’m sure the PT and fraud and grocery stickers haters will piss in their own cereal bowl over this one.

never fun to lose RB. But looking long term I’m glad Sanders is a Senior.  If he comes back miller may leave.  I like the idea of Miller Jordan and Jackson as a big back.  If Jackson sticks around.  That’s a really good rb room. And they have some young guys coming.  If they aren’t scared off by what they see.

I bet miller went to a school that wasn’t a power and probably played on a .500 team with 200 lb OL. Marcus Allen can’t run through a hs defense by himself.  So maybe miller didn’t get j votes to combines and camps.  I know when my kids were in hs out in Apple valley they totally got overlooked and we didn’t know any of those camps or stuff. Luckily my kids were smart and the game plan was college for academics.  But I have always wondered what I could have done to get them more pub

so maybe miller was that guy.   Small league. ??

something that concerns me is 25.  Williams.  Talks a lot of trash.  Thumbs down to the other bench or crowd.  Even after the 15 yard penalty USC defenders still are running their mouths.  That penalty was massive.  It was a turnover.  And it’s uncalled for.  Not needed.  USC does that way too much and I get that they are hyped but all the talking just throws away opportunities.

[BigBalls]

Nebbie’s OC was picking on Williams. Ref’s seem a lot less sensitive to excessive celebrations than they used to be. I feel like Williams would have been flagged for PI on a few plays by the old pac 12 ref’s. Grabbing the WR and not turning his head to look for the ball. And for trash talking.

https://x.com/khollowell_/status/1985018939970388374?s=46

[Butkus51]

Bruddah Java, No King Miller was a 4*, played at Calasbasas HS, who is a top D-4 CIF, FB program.  In the last 10 years, Calasbasas HS were top 3 in their division and won a CIF title and went to the State game.  King played against some of the top SS CIF FB teams.  His Jr. season he rushed for 1,600 yds, 12 TD’s and was highly recruited, 4*.  USC made him a top RB recruit, he was like 95% lean to USC.  USC was his dream school.

Unfortunately, the following FB season, 1st pre-season game he had a bad, season ending injury (bad luck).  Colleges stopped recruiting him, including USC.  But, he stayed in contact with C. LR, rehab all year.  After C. LR checked out his leg, offered him a preffered WO.  I’m sure he has a free ride now and monthly allowance (maybe a nice car)?  Glad, we stayed in touch with King Miller.  Shoot, King Miller is a Godsend to our FB program…  Cheers

• This reply was modified 1 week, 6 days ago by Butkus51.

[BigBalls]

Good backstory thank you , what about his brother the OL guy? Also a PWO who almost beat Noa out in fall camp. He got in the game last night too.

[Butkus51]

You’re right on Bruddah Ballss, his twin brother Kaylon, 3 * OL has been in the rotation and doing a fine job.  Yeah, Kaylon was an all league OL for Calabasas HS and a PWO too.  He should get a free ride as well.  Another great example of a 3* rising up in college FB and playing well.  Big Shaka to the Miller brothers…  Cheers

[Java]

Ok interesting.  That sounds like the Troy Polamalu story.  He got hurt his senior year too.

troy also played rb a lot which might have masked his greatness as a safety.

there’s always a backstory.  How guys slide through the cracks.  Thanks

[Java]

I also wonder about D4.  I think that’s the division oak hills and some others out here play in.  You start getting down that low in division and I wonder if it’s also easy to get overlooked.   Apple valley oak hills and a few others go to playoffs a lot but you don’t tend to see them or their players at the top of the tv ratings and charts.

[Butkus51]

Bruddah Ballss and Bruddah Java, the lesson for coaches, GM’s and recruiting staff.  Freaken Calif (CIF) at all levels have these types, under da radar players.  USC must dig and find these guys.  The recruiting services do a pretty good job evaluating players from camps and regular season.  But, they make mistakes at every position (giving out stars).  Sometimes I see how they rate QB’s and I have to laugh.  So many of the R services people did not even play the game and they are experts talent evaluators.  Give me a break.

Hell look at the NFL draft, how many times their people who are X players and coaches make mistakes with their picks.

So many players from small schools do not make the summer camps and fail to get exposure getting a ride and now NIL money.  HS FB coaches are at fault, they must help their kids get exposed.

The smaller FB programs, Boise St, Fresno St, San Diego St, Cal, ASU, Zona, Indiana, Minnesota, Oregon St, Washington St have to dig deep, search hard for these under da radar players.  And, they do a great job.  Just look at the NFL, they are loaded with players from small college programs… Cheers

[GTrojan]

Butkus, IMO you nailed it.  I believe SC has a future LB star in a hidden gem.  Taylor Johnson I believe is his name.  Incredible video on this kid.  As I recall he is about 6’2″ but only about 200 lbs but very instinctive.

[Butkus51]

Yep Bruddah GTrojan, Taylor Johnson, 3* is a great example of an A+ under da radar player.  I agree with you he will be another Troy Polamalu, Oregon HS.  Give props to GM Bowden for finding this fine FB player.

What I really like about our 2026 class is the many top 3* FB players dat GM Bowden and his R staff found and got for the football program.  I would not trade any of these 3* players for nothing.  I believe we got hidden Gems.  I love 3* players.

1.  Taylor Johnson, LB, 3*, 6-1. 200 lbs, Cajon HS.  Saw his HL tape, man what a physical LB.  Yeah, we scored big time.  Kid is old school.  He needs to put on 25 lbs.  Fast LB.

2.  Jayden Crowder, DB, 5-11, 170 lbs, 3*, Santa Margarita Catholic HS.  Nah, Jayden is 4* and one of the SS CIF top DB’s.  We scored again.

3.  Andrew Williams, 6-5, 220 lbs, 3*, DE, Fremont HS, what a steal, quick, strong.  Needs to put on 40 lbs.  He will be a star for us.

4.  JaMyron Baker, 3* Wr, 6-1, 170 lbs, 10.65 100 m, Sierra Canyon HS, strong hands, catches everything.  Big time steal.

5.  Kannon Smith, 3* OL, 6-4, 290, Valor Christian HS.  impressive HL tape.

6.  John Fifta, 3* OL, 6-7, 350 lbs, St Francis HS, San Jose, a Gem OL, another great under da radar OL

7.  Chase Deniz, 3*, OL, 6-7, 295 lbs, Catheral Catholic HS, San Diego, another great 3* pick up.  His HS is one of Calif power teams.

8.  Malik Brooks, 3* DL, 6-3, 350 lbs, St Pius HS, Los Angeles, D-12.  A project dat will surprise everyone.

 

 

 

[GTrojan]

Thanks for your takes Butkus.  I’m also high on Malik Brooks, he is going to be an elite NT.

[Butkus51]

Bruddah Java, Yep Troy a 3* athlete played at a small FB program, Douglas HS, Oregon.  He was an All State FB player and received some good offers (USC, Oregon, Oregon St, UDub, Washington St, Colorado, Illinois, but got injured just like King Miller which hurt his recruitment.

Troy was from Orange Connty, Santa Ana, Calif., USC was his dream school.  What influence him mucho, his uncle, Kennedy Pola was an AA HS player at Mater Dei HS and All PAC at USC.  Most likely, Troy would have attended Mater Dei HS.  Around 10 yrs old, his mother sent Troy to live with her brother and family in Oregon.

 

[GTrojan]

Maiava is a head case, especially on the road. At home he can play lights out then suddenly make the dumbest mistakes of any football player in existence.

[BigBalls]

Not to argue your point because Maiava was not throwing very well last night but I think teams are watching film and adjusting to Maiava. Last night we saw a lot of man on man defense ( relax Daystalker man on man defense does not mean what you think it means). Man on man with a safety over Lemon. Basically daring us to beat them with someone other than Lemon. I don’t think Lane is 100% yet. Hines really needs to step up.

Maiava flipped the script by running more and you could see the Neb defense was surprised by that. Key to the win was Maiava running.

[Author]

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