USC was lined up in the I-formation, a yard shy of the end zone, when it ran a toss sweep for running back Stephen Carr.
It did not harken to the student-body right offenses of past teams.
After Carr received the pitch, he faced little open space. Surrounded by three Texas defenders, he was left to run parallel to the line scrimmage and attempted to turn the corner toward the end-zone pylon before he was stuffed for a loss of 2 yards.
The failed fourth-down attempt cost the Trojans a potential touchdown late in the second quarter of their 37-14 loss at Texas on Saturday night. The run was also emblematic of a ground game that has seen continued early-season struggles.
The Trojans finished with minus-5 rushing yards against the Longhorns, marking their lowest in a game since they were held to minus-20 yards in a loss to Arizona in 1999. Through three weeks, they rank 117th among the 130 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision in rush offense.
Coach Clay Helton attributed USC’s latest rushing troubles to movement and zone pressure from Texas’ defense that made it difficult to clear holes for its running backs.
“During the week we had showed a good picture to be able to pick it up,” Helton said, “but it didn’t happen as well as we wanted during the game.”
Among USC’s three running backs, Aca’Cedric Ware, Vavae Malepeai and Carr, they rushed for a combined 24 yards on 12 carries. The results were dismal. On six occasions, they were stuffed behind the line of scrimmage or limited to no gain. They totaled a combined 1 yard on 11 carries outside of Carr’s 23-yard touchdown run on the opening drive.
The run troubles had a sort of cascading effect on the rest of the offense too. Freshman quarterback JT Daniels was left to throw a career-high 48 passes in his third start, finishing with 322 passing yards and an interception. The Trojans attempted to mount a comeback as they were outscored 34-0 over the final three quarters.
The Trojans ran the ball less often than in any previous game under Helton and offensive coordinator Tee Martin. Only 16 of their 64 total plays (25 percent) against Texas were runs. Only in three other games had they run less than 40 percent of the time.
“In Tee’s defense, you’re looking there, not having success in that area, and all of a sudden the pass is working,” Helton said. “He leaned on it. The ball was moving. All of a sudden, we get a little bit behind and you’re forced to move the ball.”
Helton cited the over-reliance on the passing game, due to a limited running game, as a concern with a matchup against Washington State looming for Friday night.
“We always want to be more balanced,” Helton said. “Sometimes the game dictates, especially when you’re behind and trying to catch up that more passes are going to be called. That’s going to dictate the numbers sometimes. In an ideal world, we’d love to be 50-50.”
Helton said, “We’re usually at our best when we’re a balanced offense.”
MCGRATH OUT FOR SEASON
Sophomore kicker Chase McGrath will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, Helton said Sunday.
McGrath suffered the tear during the third quarter of USC’s loss to Texas when his 50-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
After the kick was recovered by Texas’ Anthony Wheeler, who returned it for a touchdown, McGrath followed him along the sideline in an attempt to make a tackle, but fell after a hit and injured his right knee.
Without McGrath, third-year sophomore Michael Brown will take over kicking duties.
Helton said he was “very confident” with Brown, who returned to training camp after recovering from season-ending surgery for a torn ACL that was suffered last fall.
“I was very proud for him, coming off a major knee surgery, especially as a kicker, and what he was able to do in camp,” Helton said. “He really pushed Chase.”
McGrath made six of eight field-goal attempts this season, including five in a season-opening win over UNLV. His two misses were on attempts from 50 or more yards.
As he was injured in the fourth game, McGrath will be able to redshirt this season.
QUICK HITS
Several of USC’s players suffered injuries against Texas, including defensive lineman Malik Dorton (quad contusion), linebacker John Houston (wrist) and right guard Andrew Vorhees (knee sprain). Helton said they will be monitored during the week. … Seniors Reid Budrovich and Chris Tilbey, who each punted at Texas, will be evaluated in practices by special teams coach John Baxter to see who is “most effective” for Washington State, Helton said. … USC opened as a 4.5-point favorite against Washington State.