College Football 25 - Arkansas at USC

hello I'm Desmond Howard and welcome e the Los Angeles Coliseum a place traveler calls home in the crowd loves to fight on when supporting the USC Trojans there's just something about the night cap after a day of wall toall football it just seems this is when chaos ensues as we'll see a squad from the SEC the Arkansas Razer taking on a squad hoping to prevent another L this week the USC Trojans for EA Sports college football ree Davis with you alongside David poock and Jesse Palmer time to get this game [Music] [Applause] started the Razer backs will put total Lea and we'll get started on the move from inside is five good job by the coverage unit put a stop to that return they' got the Big Fellas out there a three tight end look on first and [Applause] 10 running back searching for a hole navigates that mass of bodies and gets four out to the 17 SEC versus the Big 10 they compet at everything they tried to outspend each other and they certainly want to beat each other on the field so many national championship so many Heisman Trophy winners shared between these two conferences David everybody gets SU excited when the Big 10 takes on the SEC and these games matter so much the fans get so amped up so Juiced up to the point where we hear in the stands whatc secc they wouldn't say that if conf Pride wasn't a real thing it's an offense that takes pride in being physical they try to get it going on the ground but no gain on that one does Nowhere to Run not a lot of wiggle room for the ball carrier this defense came in knowing that they had to match their physic let's see if they can keep it [Applause] up on Third and long he has to throw for it quickly out to the tight end gets the job done on third down as he gets it to the 25 before he's brought down pick up the first against Zone coverage the biggest key there is the quarterback understanding that a it's Zone but B what kind of zone is it is it one high safety is it two high safeties and then you know instinctively where your best throw where your highest percentage completion is based on what type of Zone coverage it's going to be takes a hand off it's Peterson Works ahead for a couple they'll stop him at the 27 I like feeding my guy I like getting my running back touches beating the ball so he can break some of those big runs but I'm also okay with these little ones set the tone stay balanced after picking up a couple it's second and eight trying the left side he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple yeah I think the running back kind of went rogue on that last running play I'm not sure it was designed to go that direction he tried to make it happen on his own and unfortunately ended up losing yards if they can convert here that type of play can really give you a shot of [Applause] momentum on Third and long he's going to have to throw for it at the 35 he's open up the first down and gets down to avoid contact nice job nice way to end that play for the QB he does a really good job scrambling getting the first down and getting down because defensively I'm trying to get a link anytime I can hit the quarterback that is a win and the Trojans are flying down the field to the ground with the back he makes the stop at the 43 Y Line it's a pick up of 15 and they've got it in plus territory pick up the first down on the ground like that and it would make Sam bam Cunningham prow all right I'm going to need a little education give me give me some context on Sam bam Cunningham he was a great powerful hard-nosed running back for some of those great Trojan teams of John McCay he just couldn't hold his water long enough in the line of scrimmage it'll be a penalty so the decision has been made and the coach will take the penalty they're about to snap it for the seventh time on this drive gives it to the back on the draw nice solid form tackle from this sophomore this offensive line better figure out a for this D tackle he is tough to block with one guy you might want to start double teaming him he's going to be a problem moving forward you saw all of his ability on that last play tried to pound it on first down now back to the line on second down looking again to throw no where close on that one as he got drilled trying to deliver the football and now they face third down doesn't take this defense a lot of time to get to the quarterback man they've got speed all over the place they hit him so quickly and because of that the ball Falls incomplete ninth play of the drive coming up but they'll have to convert third and long to keep it going looking to throw and he needs a bunch he's going for it all that was almost picked off and what a disaster that would have been to throw a pick on the opening drive instead it's Fourth Down offenses know work on it all week third Downs third downs we got to be really really good this offense not good on this third down it could come back to bite fourth down and the punt team sends it the other way looking for a block it's satna everybody stays in their Lanes well enough and they stop him at the 31 yd line [Applause] [Music] [Music] this crowd full throat splitting the eard drums and letting them know it's going to be a long day swings it out to the flag they stop him almost immediately a short gain there and still a little ground to cover to pick up the first one well he comes up with the reception but not a lot of room to run after that yeah and I like the QB doing this I I'm going to find ways to give him the football and see if he can make a miss and I'm going to bet most of the time my guy is a little bit more athletic than that defensive guy defense won this battle but I like trying to get this guy the ball in Space the give to the back you want to make sure to maximize those types of runs and he gets it out to the 41 and a nice job by the running back finding space getting downhill making the good run great job finishing with hiss they got it at the 41 third and short trying to keep the change moving quart back keeps it they get him on the ground and with that we'll head to the second quarter back at it to open the quarter with this first down play used the play fake now to throw skips away from pressure and the quarterback was trying to extend the play and the defense brought it to a close well you can see why this team thinks this kid has a real bright future it's amazing he's only a true freshman he's not built like one and you saw it on that last play trust me that is the first of many sacks in this kid collegiate career a first down sack can be a drive killer now it's second and 13 one back in the back field and they'll give it to him and he's able to bounce off one tackle but still not a whole lot of running the running back didn't get much there nice job by the defense you can tell they're focused in on this running back on this run game being getting knock backs limiting his carries de Rising as the crowd Gets behind this defense on third down looking to throw it's greed throws to the wide out makes the grab defense was right there but they couldn't stop him from making the catch and he's got it to the 30 that's a really nice looking throw and I'll tell you he fits in great with this offense because there's been this philosophical shift recently in the SEC offensively it used to be you had to run the football eye formation three yards in a cloud of dust if you wanted to win but today though you have got to be able to throw a for win a win you think about all the great offensive play callers now in the SEC all the Heisman Troy winners that have played recently at the QB position you got to do it through the air and this guy in Arkansas gives them a chance wide receiver coming across in motion on second down just keeps firing catch in the middle it's Anthony and the Razer backs will keep this drive going and when you run those drag routes it just takes a little bit of knoow and when I say that the receivers got to understand find Space my quarterback's going to find me he's looking for that space at the same time nice throw nice catch way to get the first down now from inside the Red Zone touchdown Arkansas and they made it to the house where they found that six points waiting on them and with the extra point they get the first seven of the game they took it 71 yards down the field and the Capper a 19 yd toss for the touchdown kickoff team lining up to send this one [Applause] away that ball skips through the end zone it's a touch back and they'll take over at the 25 yd line and guys USC has the ball back and sending the offense onto the field that last one looked like a back breaking Drive David but they ended up hunting yeah and they put some plays together put some yards together but the most important stat is putting points on the board and this offense has to finish Jesse when they get across that 50 yd line and start getting in scoring territory yeah there there was some good execution no doubt about it but I think it's the critical down in distances third down in particular they've got to be better moving forward didn't get much on first down it's second and [Applause] nine wide receiver shows motion crying play action grabbed in the back field it's Peterson and the defense settled in to stop that one for a short gain you know sometimes even a short game like that can be used to set up something bigger later on no doubt Reese they can pump that and take a shot down the field and don't worry they're going to go back to that same play CU they know this guy with the ball in his hands is dangerous he makes one guy Miss he can take it to the house somebody needs to make a play here it's third and long from the 26 now the quarterback changing the original play call on third down he drops to throw that pass not close as he got Dr trying to deliver it and it'll bring up fourth down great job by the defense dialing out some pressure on third down they hit the quarterback and force the incompletion fourth down and the punt team send the other way bringing it back it's sategna and he's going to get it up to about the 29 yd line before he's brought [Applause] down the Hogs send that offense back onto the field that last Drive really productive David wound up with a touchdown they'll try to do it again yeah so I don't expect this offense to change too much Reese they had a great Drive they got the touchdown everything working I would expect them to keep pushing this ball down and just imagine if they could put another touchdown on the board right here they could capture so much momentum in this game with backto back TDS looking for a huge play makes the grab on the left side and they were looking for a chunk play and and they got it the explosive picks up more than 30 and what a massive play for the offense not only getting the football across the 50 but they've now put themselves in position to steal a few more points here before the half looking down field it's green getting some heat the Freshman able to get home with the sack and how about the true freshman we've heard about this guy we heard he's got a chance to be really really good talking with coaches this week and he gets his listen guys I'm a pass rusher everybody remembers their first really need to find a productive play this time on second and long off the play fake looking to the big tight end finds a man on the left that is exactly what you're looking for when you talk explosive plays the defense finally able to make the stop the Razer backs have it with a first and 10 he to throw can't find his man as he took a shot trying to deliver that football and it'll be second down well this defense felt coming into the game that if he was going to try to throw from the pocket they could get to him and affect his accuracy and they did on that last play operating in the Red Zone here on second down quick pass on the jet motion they'll give him four on that one it's third and six well and on these little push passes timing is so important you're trying to snap it right as he's getting a full head of steam when he gets the ball he's hitting the outside David it puts the defense in such a difficult spot you immediately have to be rotating when you see that motion so everybody's got to communicate and kind of bump over that's why offenses love to run it just it makes the defense communicate and see if you can just get him out of a spot third and long and he'll try to throw for it that ball is intercepted at the goal line and they get the takeway and prevent points from going up just before the end of the half man that is Picture Perfect cover zero when I play cover zero I'm bringing pressure Ball's going to come out look at the defense ready for that ball to come out of the quarterback's hand nice job breaking on the football and going to makeing the interception time dwindling away as they try to put points on the board right before the half they're going to open this drive with a pass he can find his man and the clock stopped with six seconds left they'll have just enough time to get one more snap before the half quarterback making adjustments with his receivers looking the throw on second down this time he's got it and he'll step out of bounds after a very productive play and a great play design here in this type of situation obviously trailing you're trying to put something up on the scoreboard and just using the sideline using the boundary getting the ball out of bounds and stop one more play before the teams head to the locker rooms they'll try to pick it up on the ground he'll be brought down and that's the final play of the half that's going to wrap up the first half here and now we join Kevin with the halftime [Music] update we ready to get it started here in the second [Applause] half fielded In The End Zone it's Stevens gets it across the 30 to the 31 nice pick up on the return there and Arkansas ready to send out this offense they got plenty done through the air in the first half and we'll see if they even need to look for balance as we start the third quarter well and I I think defensively you understand like the running game isn't a big part of the plan I wonder how they adjust and play more coverage to this pass happy offense yeah so you're going to have to be ready if you're a quarterback then you're probably going to see some different coverages you might see a little bit more Blitz in the second half as well so you have to know where your answers are the Hogs getting it done through the air evoking memories of Ryan Mallet and that's what the fans of Arkansas want to see they always got that physical ground game they always want to have a little bit of balance and when they get that balance they get that offense cooking they get everybody pretty excited you might even get a woo Pig here he goes breaking the pocket and he just Chucks it into the fourth row and how nice is it to have the home crowd going absolutely bananas communication harder snapping the football everybody being on time man this crowd really affecting the football game pocket starts to collapse and the Freshman will talk up a sack the defense continues to have a great game both defenses has played well these offenses are going have to change something up protect their quarterbacks a little bit better here Comes This Home crowd as the defense tries to get off the field on third down looking to move the chain they throw it complete to the left and he's not going to get there the defense Stands Tall and makes the Stop and the Razer back to line up the pl it [Applause] away a low Line Drive in short kick and they'll let that one go and it'll roll out of bounds this Trojan offense is ready to go back to work the sledding has been tough scores have been at a premium Jessie in every possession seems like it could switch the momentum of the game yeah re for this offense just feels like they just haven't been as physical for this offensive coordinator David he's having to go deep into The Playbook just to try to generate a first down and the good thing is there's not a ton of game pressure cuz the other side's not scoring either but if you can find that one thing that get that one positive play and then maybe you get those juices going and something can start to build linebackers moving trying to confuse the quarterback pulls it in it's Peterson there to make the tackle but the big throw is good enough to give them a first down doesn't SC always a quarterback right out of Central Casting and one that'll pick up a first down for you with his arm yeah and and it doesn't matter the year it just doesn't matter the number it continues to churn out they find those guys just such an easy place to recruit when you got that kind of pedigree you always find Superstars at the quarterback spot I'll tell you this defensive end not only can he pass rush but he can play the run as well you see him beat the offensive lineman there trying to block him and get in the back field to make that tackle for loss that was impressive on second down he'll let it fly outside the pocket lets it Go complete to the right all kinds of Running Room touchdown Trojan and once he found open space the band might as well start playing and what a nice start for this offense the throw game getting working getting the touchdown pass this quarterback getting a little bit of confidence this passing game getting in a rhythm nice start for this offense and let's check in with Kevin Conor in the studio Kevin all right guys a little update on what else is happening in college football this weekend pen state is getting glitched right now in Beaver Stadium in front of that super loyal fan base loyal but my goodness that's being tested today they're trailing by 14 to Texas A&M any big developments in this one we've got you covered with the best studio team in the business gentlemen oh and how about that I know Kevin and those guys will be keeping an eye on it for us the Hogs send that offense back onto the field and then a low scoring game like this one David every possession is magnified and I think more than anything it just gets frustrated and you got to put that behind you you got to see what this defense has been doing to be so successful PA now use it against yeah David I think for a play caller this is tough right it's like you have to have the perfect play on just to get a first down in these types of games I think you're just trying to get guys out in space see if a dude can break a tackle maybe that generates an explosive play and it breaks this trend looking to throw it's green time to take a shot makes the grab inside the 30 and a pick up of better than 30 yard on that completion before the defense brings him down and how about the big strike down the field I love when offenses take shots down the Fieldy to big plays now they're set up in the Red Zone looking to pass inside the Red Zone buys a little time with his feet he can't find anybody it'll be incomplete as the defense does a really good job in coverage and and that was good defense again and unfortunately we've been saying that all game long really really good defense or listen you can spit on the other side this offense is really B what a finish we could have tie game third quarter here second and 10 he's looking to throw coming after him escapes the sack he found a little opening and got loose they couldn't stop him in the back field so a solid pick up there well great job there by the defense because they weren't able to get him sacked right away but you saw the coverage in the back end nowhere the quarterback to throw the football didn't sack obviously you don't get the negative play but you also don't give up a big one you're feeling pretty good about where you are right now in this drive PS through the defense touchdown Razer backs they take the lead with the six and this design QB runs man they really test the physicality of this defense knowing this quarterback's going to Tote The Rock they know that there's now an extra block or so somebody on defense is going to have to make a superhuman effort get off a block and make a play they could not get that done right there the kickoff team out there to boot it away in 15 yard farther up the field after the roughing the kicker penalty and he takes this from inside the five and the return is no place to run no place to hide and a place to be tackled poor starting field position here for this offense off the play fake on first down and he was drilled just as he released the pass it's incomplete and finally the defense is able to get some pressure on this quarterback they been trying trying all game long different ways to affect him weren't able to get there but on that play because of the pressure it affected his accuracy that's why the ball Falls incomplete the incomplete pass leaves him with second [Applause] down he'll do it himself got the first down and more and he was loose and in the open field and on his way a tremendous pick up on that one this is obviously a great play physically by the quarterback but how about mentally making the right decision he was keying on the right Defender he saw the body language of that player and knew he had to keep the football and made the decision so quickly good football IQ there by the QB here's the hand off pry good effort on that one to work his way up to the 42 five to six yards a pop I don't know if you guys are really good at math but that usually equals a first down every couple carries so don't forget about the Run game keep them honest count that rock halfway there on first down it's second and [Applause] five the end of the third qu of theore [Applause] Arc will start the quarter offense about to snap it on second down they'll try the right side this offense has to get this guy the ball in as many ways as possible he showed you all of his tools on that one the Trojans are marching down the [Applause] [Music] field on the run it's Peterson still running at the 40 makes the stop at the 35 yd line they rip off 15 Ys on one and they all roll I tell you what with this kind of success on the ground I I think you two Knuckleheads can call play I mean that's how easy it is for this offense right now they got the ground game working it's really easy now you can open up for other things but you guys could even try your hand because they're dominating right now big drive for this offens leate trying to tie the game they pieced together a couple of first downs and here they come again looking to move it through the air fires to the big F and they pick up just a few on that completion this offense has their work cut out for him man because the coverage has been so tight and if you're not throwing to the sideline or you're not getting past the sticks this defense is going to tackle you inbounds like they just did on that last play and bleed the clock and the short completion brings up second down he's looking to throw trying to get to him nowhere to go with the ball and down he goes at the 39 all right well that QB knows he now has to get the ball out of his hands quick because that defensive then turned the corner fast seventh play of the drive coming up but a long way to go on third down looking to throw and he needs a chunk play fires left tremendous awareness along the sideline and the ability to get the foot down for the big pickup it's hard right now on defense you got the lead and you're not expecting the opponent to run it as much as they've been doing on this drive so run run run and now you're wanting to be aggressive you're wanting to play downhill and on that third down you see the play fake you're expecting it again and they throw it over your head right now this defense they're on their heels a little bit welcome to the frustrating reality of college football like the guy at the quarterback spot he can just do that pull it down get positive yards makes the defense have to account for him every single play and that was a creative play call but a better defensive play to stop it for no game it is so easy when you're a defensive player when you watch a little misdirection the ball go one way to turn and to run that's not my job my job is to stay home the did a good job of that defense stayed home made the play the offense gets a quick timeout at this point every second is [Music] [Applause] precious they line up with some serious work to do if they want to convert this [Applause] one they'll Run play action they're bringing Heat and the defense a got him at the 27 that Defender was not fooled At All by the play action he never thought the offense was running the football he had his ears pinned back used his speed to get to the QB we reached the two-minute warning and the defense needs to come up with a stop to close this thing out [Applause] [Applause] down a possession here in the fourth and they'll need to convert on this fourth down quarterback reacting to what the D is showing on fourth down going to the air a shot toward the end zone and the ball is picked off going the other way and he's got room and they capitalized not only on the pick but the great return to give the offense tremendous field position and that is a back breaker it's fourth down though listen you got to throw the football you got to try to make a play but the defense came up big in a big moment the offense will have to use its first time out of the half looking for a productive play on first down motion from the offense coming out on first down with the play fake can't his man as he took a shot trying to deliver that football and it'll be second down he didn't have a whole lot of time to get rid of that one the defense was all over him right after the snap no wonder that thing fell in after Mis firing it's second down looking for a man it's green gets it out fast and they'll finally get him down after a terrific pickup good job by the receiver there not to run into coverage but to find a spot that the quarterback could throw him the ball yeah on those types of routes Rees they say if you're looking you're booking so if that's man coverage the receiver staring at the quarterback all the way across the field that time the receiver didn't give the quarterback his eyes so they were on the same page they both knew it was Zone and they executed that perfectly fires to the wide out missed it receiver there it's incomplete and I tell you what know it's little when these QB Miss and the ball's not right to but man it makes such a difference when yard after the catch in this case even catching the football it was just a little bit off just made it a little bit difficult for his wide receiver to try to make the catch on second down they'll take to the air El off it high and deep down the left side man it slips through his fingers incomplete that would have been a huge gain if he could squeezed [Applause] it these fans stepping up to help this defense on third down from the gun wants to pass looking down the middle here's an interception oh did they need that turnover not much of a chance on the return but they'll have the ball at the 33 let's go now we got ourselves a ball game this one looked like it was almost over in the two-minute situation get a few first downs walk out of here with the w no sirve Defense Forces the turnover offense it's your turn working that left side and he was Off to the Races and he gets it to the 45 B is still running and they have to get everybody lined up going up top on first down quick strike complete he's brought down quickly minimal gain there still a bit short of the first down quick Tempo no huddle off and second down pu [Applause] running now the play fake the sweet feet buy a little time they finally get him on the ground but before he rips off up for a first down hog stops momentarily for the first down they'll hurry to the line wants to throw on first down he makes the catch close to MTI but he'll be a little short of the first down Precision execution there to work the sidelines pick up the first down and stop the C yeah great job by the offense you got to understand the situation the clock is the enemy late in the ball game got to have a score like you work the outer part of the field so I can catch the football and get out of bounds movement from the linebackers trying to mess with the offensive Line's assignments looking to go up top on first down got away from trouble and got rid of it excellent coverage and good use of the hands to knock it away how nice is it as a def You' got a corner that can play on an island and be as dominant as this guy has been all game long you just saw another great example of it right there breaking on the ball and knocking it away and the incompletion brings up a second down for this [Applause] offense he's looking to throw unloads to the right and the pass it's picked off trying to take it back and they capitalized not only on the pick but on the great return to improve this field position we've seen this defense make plays time and time again in this game they may have just sealed it with that takeaway the offense lining up for a first down play wide receiver now comes in motion touch pass on the Run just sort of a Relentless run getting everything that was available to him and they'll Mark him down 40 they get the timeout call with 7 seconds left on the clock they'll line up for a second down [Applause] play back to throw it's green looking to take a shot it's complete fans of Defense probably love this game guys fans of offense not so much but fans of winning oh everybody's a fan of winning and they found a way to get it done a win is a win is a win is a win it doesn't matter now you get it done this was not pretty by any stretch phenomenal defense offense they've got a lot of work to do coming up at the end of the day David that's a happy Locker yeah you know what you you pretty boys say it's not pretty that was beautiful that was gorgeous you talk about hitting people you talk about tackling you talk about physicality yes please I like all those it's pretty to me that's going to do it for us from here for Jesse Palmer David poock I'm ree Davis and this has been another presentation of baa sports college football