Spotlight #1: USC TE Rhett Ellison
Spotlight #2: Colorado G Ryan Miller
1st quarter
13:28: Miller gets beat on a run block, but another USC player gets the tackle for loss first because Miller can allow it.
11:02: Ellison with a great block on an outside run on a 3rd and 2 conversion. Impressive, powerful hands. Kalil also had an awesome pull block.
10:30: Ellison on the other side now, helps seal a big hole for the running back.
10:03: Ellison makes a tough catch for no gain after Barkley just had to get it away. Ellison started as a blocked and allowed the pressure on the blitz, but redeemed himself with the nice catch.
9:26: Ellison redeems himself more with a nice pass block on a passing touchdown. Barkley with a nice NFL caliber throw deep to Marqise Lee.
9:18: Miller with another great pass block. He’s been better in pass protection than run blocking early.
8:40: Miller with a great cut block, takes the guy down. Good form.
8:09: Miller whiffs on a 2nd level block, not strong enough to maintain balance, easily disengaged.
5:20: Ellison with another nice pass block.
3:45: Miller with another nice but block.
3:05: Miller allows some pressure, did have to block for a while.
2nd quarter
13:42: Nick Perry hasn’t done much as a pass rusher tonight, aside from a few pressures, but here he explodes for a tackle for loss on a check down to the back, loss of 6.
12:02: Ellison at a fullback with a nice cut block to protect Barkley.
10:23: Miller with a powerful lead block but a poor block before him doesn’t allow Miller’s block to be utilized.
9:20: Ellison with a nice lead block to open a small hole from the fullback spot.
8:16: Barkley with his first bad decision of the night, forces it to a well covered tight end over the middle. Could have been picked.
4:09: Ellison contributing on special teams as well, blocked kick.
2:27: Ellison seals a good run on 2nd and 3, converted 1st down.
1:59: Ellison takes a check down for a bunch, tough to take down in the open field, draws a horse collar penalty as well, hurt. I’ll watch Kalil now.
0:37: Barkley picked off, bad decision. Good effort to make the tackle afterwards.
0:09: Nick Perry with a sack. Miller has to block for a long time and does a good job against a bull rush opposite from the sack.
3rd quarter
14:06: Kalil looks like a tight end moving outside on what looked like a route, but throws a 2nd level pull block on a screen for a good gain. So athletic and talented.
8:51: Chris Galippo good in coverage, quickly reads quarterback’s eyes, almost gets a tough pick, but dropped.
7:16: Kalil great job one on one, throws his guy to the ground.
5:34: Kalil seals a hole on 3rd and 7, conversion.
4:47: Kalil throws another guy.
4:08: Kalil stands up a spin move.
1:33: Miller misses a pull block, gives up pressure on a quick drop.
4th quarter
7:06: Barkley sets a new USC record with 6 touchdowns.
6:30: Miller powers a guy off the line, opens a good hole for the back.
5:47: Miller blocks really well for a long time.
5:40: Miller playing some right tackle now.
0:00: Ryan Miller stands out as the best offensive player on a team lacking offensive tackle. Colorado sent Nate Solder to the NFL last year and Miller looks to follow in his footsteps. The 6-8 300 Miller is built like a tackle more than a guard, but plays right guard for Colorado, though he occasionally plays right tackle in a pinch, as he did towards the end of this game.
Miller seems better in pass protection than run blocking. He’s not a very powerful player and could stand to add more strength, but he has quick feet and good technique and would fit a zone blocking scheme best. Miller helped propel Colorado to a 5.6 YPA average, rushing for 134 yards on 25 carries, but as I said, he was best in pass protection as his lack of functional strength didn’t serve him well in run blocking. He’d be best as a zone blocking guard at the next level or maybe even a right tackle because he does have the frame. He looks like a late day 2 pick or an early day 3 pick.
On the USC side, Matt Kalil had an awesome game once again. He wasn’t playing the toughest competition obviously, but he had yet another fantastic game. He’s so athletic on the outside and can just throw guys around. I can’t wait to see what this kid can do once he gets to the level and bulks up a little. USC’s whole offense had a dominant game against lowly Colorado in a 42-17 win.
Matt Barkley set a school record with 6 touchdowns, going 25 of 39 for 318 yards, those 6 touchdowns and just one pick, though he could have had a 2nd one. Those two bad throws were his only mistakes of the night really and he made several throws that will make NFL scouts drool. He’s the early favorite to go #1 overall in 2013 now that he’s returned for his senior season.
Rhett Ellison looked very good for the time he was in the game, leaving with an injury in the 2nd quarter. The hybrid tight end/full back lined up in the backfield, at tight end, and also in the h-back position, and he displayed great run blocking ability out of all 3 positions. He also held up in pass protection and showed good hands and good open field ability on his 2 catches for 10 yards. He’s a better blocker than a receiver, but he did catch 21 passes in 2010 and 22 this season. The 6-5 250 pound Ellison looks like a good mid round selection as either a fullback or a tight end and he can also play special teams. He also blocked a punt in this one.
Defensively, Nick Perry had another nice game, getting consistent pressure against not the toughest matchup. He had a sack and a huge tackle for loss, blowing up a play in the backfield on a pass in the flat. Chris Galippo had a good game, almost having a pick. The once heavily recruited linebacker didn’t have the best season with just 46 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, but he has really improved in pass coverage in USC’s cover 2 scheme, despite his size at 6-2 255. He has 5 deflections on the season and has consistent looked good in coverage when I’ve seen him. USC safety TJ McDonald didn’t play the first half after a suspension and didn’t make a noticeable difference when he returned. I still contend that McDonald is an overrated, dirty player who doesn’t have the production to match his measurables and doesn’t have a good fundamental grasp of the game, especially tackling.
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