Spotlight #1: USC OT Matt Kalil

Spotlight #2: USC MLB Chris Galippo  

1^st quarter

13:21: Gallipo is the blitzer, bites big time on the play fake and chases the running back instead of continuing unblocked to the quarterback.

12:35: Kalil on a pull block on an outside run, didn’t do a great job on a play that went for a loss of 5.

11:09: Gallipo with a big hit, but somehow it’s broken.

9:22: Kalil knocks down a guy. Makes it look easy.

9:00: Galippo with a tackle for a gain of just 3 on an outside run.

8:12: Galippo sticks his nose in as 4 or 5 guys stop the ball carrier for a loss.

7:34: Galippo in on a fumble recovery.

7:08: Kalil allows a guy to beat him for a tackle for loss.

6:40: Pancake block by Kalil, completely dominates his man.

5:54: Galippo blitzing, blocked quickly, can’t get off.

5:04: Galippo tries for a tackle, but the running back is able to spin away to break the tackle. Still, he was able to slow him down enough for another guy to come in and stop him for no gain.

3:31: Kalil with a very nice cut block on a screen.

2^nd quarter

14:30: Kalil allows a quarterback pressure.

8:53: Kalil lets a guy get around him, but good recovery to shove him off his path to the quarterback with a 2^nd effort.

8:07: Kalil absolutely swallows up a pass rusher.

7:37: Kalil’s block is disengages from, allowing some pressure on the quarterback again.

7:21: Galippo on a big tackle for loss after a botched handoff.

6:43: Galippo in coverage, reads the quarterback’s eyes, gets a pick.

6:40: Kalil with another nice cut block. He’s been really good with the finesse stuff tonight.

4:43: Galippo with an explosive play on the ball to bat it down, almost had his 2^nd pick of the night.

4:21: Kalil plows open a huge hole.

3:49: Two consecutive run plays towards Kalil’s side has rejuvenated a USC rushing attack that has been very poor to this point tonight. Another big gain on the ground.

3^rd quarter

9:54: Excellent push forward by Kalil on a run play.

6:52: Galippo gets in on a tackle for a loss after the back slips in the back field.

4^th quarter

5:47: Kalil with another excellent block. He’s been really good tonight, even if I haven’t always made a note of him. I’ve really just written down when he’s made a mistake because his mistakes have been so rare. He’s been awesome once again tonight.

0:00: Matt Kalil is the consensus top left tackle in this draft class and possibly the best player in this draft after Andrew Luck. Did he struggle a little tonight? Yes, he did, but for the most part, he was awesome, especially as a run blocker, but he didn’t even come close to allowing a sack either. Cal’s defense has plenty of talent and is one of the toughest challenges Kalil has had yet and he rose to it.

As for Galippo, he had a nice game. He was a potential top prospect from the day he took over as a starter, but he’s struggle to this point in his career, especially in pass coverage. He looked really good in pass coverage tonight. He’s obviously not an ideal fit for Monte Kiffin’s Tampa 2 defense, but he could have fooled you if you watched him against California. He had one pick and could have had a 2^nd one and overall looked mobile in coverage. All these games and practices in this Tampa 2 defense have really helped him. Other than in pass coverage, he also made few other plays, but needs to show better instincts. Overall, he looked like a solid day 2 prospect.