Balls & Bombs: UCLA at USC rivalry edition

In this latest version of the Crosstown Rivalry, the Trojans capitalized on a strong performance from its defense to knock off the Bruins, 28-7. [Continue Reading]

Looking back at the Trojans' most recent game against the UCLA Bruins this past Saturday, there were a few notable performances and there were also a number of plays that made you want to pull your hair out.

Let's take a look at some of the game balls and game bombs.

And the offensive game ball goes to...Allen Bradford

Bradford gave the Trojans a boost when they needed it most and helped the team put away the rival Bruins. Besides extending drives in the second half by plowing through UCLA defenders, Bradford made sure kicker, Jordan Congdon, would not be needed, by scoring two goal-line rushing touchdowns. Bradford finished the game with 62 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns on the day, earning him offensive game ball honors.

Honorable mention...Anthony McCoy (3 receptions for 61 yards, 20.3 ypr)

And the offensive game bomb goes to...Matt Barkley

I hate to keep picking on Barkley, who has endured his fair share of growing pains this season, but criticism comes with the territory when you are USC's starting quarterback. Barkley's stats would have looked a lot worse if he had not thrown the bomb to Damian Williams with under a minute to go in the game. Barkley finished the game with 206 yards passing on 18 of 26 throws, one touchdown, one interception and one fumble. Take away the Williams touchdown and Barkley's stats would have looked something like this: 17 of 25 for 158 yards, one interception and one fumble. Not that great. Thankfully, Barkley and Williams hooked up late, resulting in a better looking stat line for Barkley. Learning to limit his mistakes will come with experience on the field, something Barkley is getting a crash-course in this season.

Dishonorable mention...Butch Lewis/Charles Brown (each had a false start penalty on USC's third offensive possession of the game, stalling the drive)

And the defensive game ball goes to...Malcolm Smith

Was there any question it would be Malcolm Smith? I don’t think so. Smith had arguably the play of the game for the Trojans when he intercepted a Kevin Prince pass and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown. Besides his pick-six, Smith was all over the field on Saturday, leading the way on defense with a team-high 15 tackles and 1.5 tfl.

Honorable mention...Josh Pinkard (6 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception)

And the defensive game bomb goes to...Will Harris/Michael Morgan (Combined for four of USC's twelve penalties on the day)

And the coaching game ball goes to...Pete Carroll

Carroll had his defense playing exceptionally well and in early season form, which was the main key to the victory for the Trojans over UCLA. Bruins' fans might be a tad peeved about Carroll's decision to go for the long pass play to Williams in the last few seconds of the game; however, Rick Neuheisel needs to learn to grab the olive branch when one is given to him. Pete Carroll and Matt Barkley were both ready to take a knee and save the Bruins from further insult, but 'ole Rick would not lay down and play dead. Nobody wants to submit to defeat, especially in a rivalry game such as this one, but there was little-to-no chance that Neuheisel's team could have scored 14 points with less than 45 seconds to play.

And the coaching game bomb goes to...Rick Neuheisel

Better luck next year Rick.

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