The first drive of the 2023 USC football spring game lasted three plays. The Trojan offense scored and made the defense look really bad. Players acknowledged afterward that a blown coverage led to a long downfield pass which set up the touchdown. It was a very ugly start for a defense still smarting from the Cotton Bowl implosion against Tulane. The rest of the day could have been one continuous and unending disaster, but the defense was able to turn the tide.
What happened? Better communication, as safety Calen Bullock said to 247Sports:
“Christian Pierce’s pick,” Bullock said. “There was a lot of communication going on in that play … The group had that play understood. They knew what the check was, just out there communicating. ‘If he motions, we’re going into this or that.’ That’s major.”
The growth in understanding and awareness is undeniably positive. We will see if this truly translates into improved instincts and better habits when the season begins on August 26 versus San Jose State.
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