By Art Thompson III
November 14, 2009
STANFORD’S SMASHMOUTH VICTORY
It was decisive and emphatic. Unranked Stanford (7-3, 6-2) left no doubt about which team was superior Saturday afternoon, as it wrecked No. 10 USC’s homecoming day, with a resounding 55-21 victory.
USC’s once-proud run defense was barreled through as the Cardinal rushed for 325 yards. So dominant was Stanford’s performance that they scored on every one of its fourth-quarter possessions except for the last one, when backup quarterback Tavita Pritchard took a knee to end the game. The Trojans were shut out in the fourth quarter, while Stanford scored four touchdowns.
Stanford kept USC (7-3, 4-3) off balance by mixing up its offense. The Cardinal had great success running read rushing plays out of the shotgun, by using a hurry-up attack at times and by throwing on first down. USC’s defense had great difficulty in keeping Stanford’s offense off the field, evidenced by the Cardinal’s overwhelming 13-minute advantage in ball possession.
IN PERSPECTIVE
The 55 points allowed by USC was the most in school history. The 34-point margin of victory by Stanford was the most lopsided loss suffered by USC since 1991, when the Trojans were beaten at Cal 52-30. USC had not suffered a more humiliating loss at home since a 51-0 lashing in 1966, by Notre Dame.
NO HYPE, HE’S HEISMAN MATERIAL
The time has come to consider Stanford running back Toby Gerhart as perhaps the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy at this juncture of the season. Gerhart, who rushed for a school-record 223 yards on 38 carries last week against Oregon, trampled the Trojans’ defense en route to a 178-yard rushing day, on 29 carries. For the second week in a row, he scored three touchdowns.
Gerhart’s season totals now, through 10 games are 1,395 yards and 19 touchdowns, on 262 carries. When asked his feelings about being considered for the Heisman Trophy, Gerhart said, “It’s exciting and it’s an honor. But I consider it a tribute to our team and our program.’’
WILLIAMS’ABSENCE HURTS
USC was missing its big-play receiver, Damian Williams, who had to miss the game because of a strained hamstring. Williams also was missed as a punt return specialist, although his impact there likely would have been negated because Stanford only was forced to punt twice and neither punt was returnable. With Williams out, Ronald Johnson and Brice Butler combined to catch 13 passes. USC quarterback Matt Barkley connected with Butler on a 36-yard touchdown pass.
TALE OF THE TAPE – FRESHMAN QUARTERBACKS
Although Barkley completed more passes for more yards (21 of 31 for 196 yards) than his first-year counterpart, Andrew Luck of Stanford (12 of 22 for 144 yards), Barkley also threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. Luck, who came into the game as the Pac-10 leader in passing efficiency, did not commit a turnover. Barkley’s killer interception was a pick-six of 43 yards by Stanford cornerback Sherman Richard. It occurred three and a half minutes into the fourth quarter and boosted Stanford’s lead to 42-21. Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, in his post-game interview, called Richard’s theft, the play of the game.
Richard said he was ideal position to make the play because not only had he studied it during film session in preparation for the game but noted that USC ran the same play earlier in the game. “I pressed it and I read Barkley’s drop,’’ he said.
WHAT STANFORD’S VICTORY MEANS
It keeps the Cardinal in the thick of the Pac-10 championship race. Stanford, which owns a victory over Oregon, hopes that the Ducks are upended next week by Arizona. Stanford’s two conferences losses are to Arizona and Oregon State. Stanford hosts Cal next week in the annual Big Game on Versus, before closing out the regular season at home against Notre Dame. At the very least, Stanford will be going to a bowl game for the first time since the 2001 season.
WHAT USC’S LOSS MEANS
Any Rose Bowl hopes that the Trojans had are gone now. USC will still get a bowl bid but for the first time in seven years, it won’t be a BCS bowl game.
Art Thompson III is an award-winning sports writer who has covered the NBA, the NFL and Major League Baseball, in addition to college sports. He was The Orange County Register's lead college writer and its UCLA beat writer for seven years.
