Play of the Game: Buck Allen and USC's balanced offense vs. Stanford
Despite leading just 10-7, Stanford spent much of the third quarter in control of its game against USC on Saturday. The Trojans' first two possessions of the second half resulted in three-and-outs, and Kevin Hogan was leading a clock-eating march to the end zone -- a Stanford special -- when suddenly the game turned. USC's defense silenced the home fans with a stand on 4th and 1 from the 3-yard line. It was time for the Trojans offense, which had been stagnant since its first drive of the game, to respond.
USC's offense likes to work the perimeter of the defense with a quick passing game while maintaining a power running attack between the tackles. Many of these plays are paired, or tagged, so that Cody Kessler has an option to check into a run or pass based on the defensive alignment. The quick passing game sets up potential one-on-one matchups for uber-athletic receivers like Nelson Agholor and George Farmer. Stretch the defense to commit extra help to the outside, and running back Buck Allen can you make you pay up the middle.
Much like Gus Malzahn, Steve Sarkisian's up-tempo attack features a lot of basic plays packaged together, with reads and different formations to keep opponents guessing. Their styles are different, but I'd bet they agree on at least one thing: you run the dang ball when you've got a numbers advantage.
When Sarkisian was at Washington, Bishop Sankey racked up 3,509 yards and 36 touchdowns in two seasons as the Huskies' starting running back. Allen opened the 2014 season with rushing performances of 133 and 154 yards, and his 50-yard run in the third quarter may have been his biggest carry so far in this young season.
Taking over from the USC 3-yard line, Kessler moved the Trojans out of the end zone with a quick sideline toss to Farmer, which he took 15 yards upfield. Two plays later, another quick toss to Farmer by the sideline for another first down.
USC approached the line of scrimmage in 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE) for 1st and 10 from the 34; Kessler in the gun, with Allen lined up to his left. USC recognized an opportunity in Stanford's defense. By taking advantage of soft zone coverage on the outside earlier, the Trojans created an opportunity for an advantage in the box. Stanford is showing four down lineman, but it's only two defensive lineman as Kevin Anderson (48) and James Vaughters (9) are listed as outside linebackers and play down in this sub package.
You can see Kessler checking off above. Allen shifted to the right side of the quarterback and prepared to attack the strong side of the line. Now we see this inexperienced, but talented, USC offensive line get to work against an undersized Stanford front.
Sophomore tackle Chad Wheeler (72) and freshman guard Toa Lobendahn (50) move Aziz Shittu (9) with a combo block while junior center Max Tuerk (75) explodes off the ball to join sophomore Zach Banner (73) in another combo block on Henry Anderson (91). Freshman guard Viane Talamaivao (60) pulls around to lead Allen into the hole, and Vaughters is left unblocked.
Allen could have been brought down by linebacker A.J. Tarpley, but the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Tallahassee, Fla. native somehow finds a way to "get skinny" and navigate the traffic to explode through the hole.
The finished product, a 50-yard run to set up the game-tying field goal, is a beauty to watch.
USC won't run 100 plays and rack up 700 yards every week, but don't expect Stanford's performance in the game (59 plays, 291 yards) to be the norm either. As long as the Trojans have speed and talent on the outside and a successful ground game to pair with it, the USC will continue its current trajectory towards Pac-12 title contention.
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