USC Trojans: Soma Vainaku
USC's defensive front leads scrimmage
March, 16, 2013
Mar 16
3:14
PM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
The Trojans wrapped up the second week of spring ball with a scrimmage at the Coliseum that featured a strong performance from the defensive front.
“I really thought the front seven on the first-unit defense played well,” USC coach Lane Kiffin said. “Hayes Pullard played great at linebacker while George Uko and Leonard Williams were dominant up front. The defense is really picking things up with the new scheme. I can’t imagine being more pleased.”
Pullard led the way for the defense with six tackles, including one for loss, while Kenny Bigelow added two sacks and Anthony Sarao had four tackles.
The offense was led by Cody Kessler, who continues to split time with Max Browne while Max Wittek is out with a knee injury. Kessler (13-19, 161 yards, one TD) provided the highlight play of the day with a 75-yard touchdown strike to Nelson Agholor while Browne (6-9, 69 yards) added a big play of his own with a 52-yard completion to Darreus Rogers. Buck Allen was the top rusher on the day with 11 carries for 65 yards.
“Kessler played great today,” Kiffin said. “He just continues to make plays. I thought Buck had a good day, too. He’s had a good camp overall.”
Kiffin confirmed that the injury to Wittek – who is expected to return to the field when the team comes back from spring break on March 26 – likely means that the quarterback competition will not be settled by the end of spring.
“I really thought the front seven on the first-unit defense played well,” USC coach Lane Kiffin said. “Hayes Pullard played great at linebacker while George Uko and Leonard Williams were dominant up front. The defense is really picking things up with the new scheme. I can’t imagine being more pleased.”
Pullard led the way for the defense with six tackles, including one for loss, while Kenny Bigelow added two sacks and Anthony Sarao had four tackles.
The offense was led by Cody Kessler, who continues to split time with Max Browne while Max Wittek is out with a knee injury. Kessler (13-19, 161 yards, one TD) provided the highlight play of the day with a 75-yard touchdown strike to Nelson Agholor while Browne (6-9, 69 yards) added a big play of his own with a 52-yard completion to Darreus Rogers. Buck Allen was the top rusher on the day with 11 carries for 65 yards.
“Kessler played great today,” Kiffin said. “He just continues to make plays. I thought Buck had a good day, too. He’s had a good camp overall.”
Kiffin confirmed that the injury to Wittek – who is expected to return to the field when the team comes back from spring break on March 26 – likely means that the quarterback competition will not be settled by the end of spring.
USC can point to missed opportunities 
September, 16, 2012
9/16/12
11:36
AM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
The USC Trojans certainly had their chances with several opportunities to take control before Stanford really seized things in the second half in a 21-14 victory.
USC benefitted early when Stanford missed scoring chances in the kicking game. A long return on the opening kickoff set the Cardinal up for a quick field-goal attempt, but it hit the upright and bounced away. The USC defense had a nice goal-line stand to force another field-goal attempt, which simply missed wide left. Finally there was the blocked field goal by T.J. McDonald.
There were a pair of key third-down swings. In the middle of the third quarter with the Trojans leading 14-7, Stanford was stopped on a third-and-long run play deep in their end, and a resulting punt would likely have given USC the ball near midfield. Instead there was a personal foul penalty against George Uko and the drive continued. On the final Stanford scoring drive, Josh Nunes – not known for his running ability – ran for 12 yards on a third-and-10 with the ball at midfield. A stop there would have given the Trojans the ball in a tie game. Instead, Stanford took the lead and never gave it up.
In the third quarter, USC was faced with a fourth-and-1 from the Stanford 13-yard line. There was no Andre Heidari to rely on, but you have to imagine a 30-yard attempt would have been in Alex Wood’s range. There was also the option to go for it, which the Trojans did, and Matt Barkley ended up lofting a pass in the direction of Soma Vainuku, who got his hands on the ball despite good coverage from the defender. As they came to the ground, however, the defender was able to dislodge the ball and the pass was ruled incomplete. The Trojans had a real chance right there to extend the 14-7 lead but they came away empty.
USC benefitted early when Stanford missed scoring chances in the kicking game. A long return on the opening kickoff set the Cardinal up for a quick field-goal attempt, but it hit the upright and bounced away. The USC defense had a nice goal-line stand to force another field-goal attempt, which simply missed wide left. Finally there was the blocked field goal by T.J. McDonald.
There were a pair of key third-down swings. In the middle of the third quarter with the Trojans leading 14-7, Stanford was stopped on a third-and-long run play deep in their end, and a resulting punt would likely have given USC the ball near midfield. Instead there was a personal foul penalty against George Uko and the drive continued. On the final Stanford scoring drive, Josh Nunes – not known for his running ability – ran for 12 yards on a third-and-10 with the ball at midfield. A stop there would have given the Trojans the ball in a tie game. Instead, Stanford took the lead and never gave it up.
In the third quarter, USC was faced with a fourth-and-1 from the Stanford 13-yard line. There was no Andre Heidari to rely on, but you have to imagine a 30-yard attempt would have been in Alex Wood’s range. There was also the option to go for it, which the Trojans did, and Matt Barkley ended up lofting a pass in the direction of Soma Vainuku, who got his hands on the ball despite good coverage from the defender. As they came to the ground, however, the defender was able to dislodge the ball and the pass was ruled incomplete. The Trojans had a real chance right there to extend the 14-7 lead but they came away empty.
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US Presswire
Is it possible a unit led by Robert Woods (left) and Marqise Lee isn't the Trojans' best? It's possible when you have as much talent as this team.
WeAreSC staffers give their opinions on a variety of USC football topics as the Trojans prepare for the season opener Saturday against Hawaii.
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1) There are four positions where the Trojans are likely to have a player consider early entry to the NFL draft -- quarterback, left tackle, defensive end and free safety. Coincidentally, these four spots are pretty wide open in terms of a clear-cut successor to the current starter.
If Matt Barkley leaves, any one of the three backups could end up being the starting quarterback next year. The primary backup to Matt Kalil at left tackle is walk-on Nathan Guertler. Could current starting right tackle Kevin Graf or his backup, freshman Aundrey Walker, flip over if Kalil leaves? Kevin Greene has yet to show that he is ready to contribute behind Nick Perry at defensive end. Things look good for the emergence of Greg Townsend, but he will still only be a redshirt freshman next year. Drew McAllister is pretty game-tested behind T.J. McDonald at free safety, but his health is going to be an issue if he's expected to be the full-time guy.
Any way you look at it, the Trojans are either going to need to fill some big holes in a hurry or at least start to develop some eventual replacements.
If Matt Barkley leaves, any one of the three backups could end up being the starting quarterback next year. The primary backup to Matt Kalil at left tackle is walk-on Nathan Guertler. Could current starting right tackle Kevin Graf or his backup, freshman Aundrey Walker, flip over if Kalil leaves? Kevin Greene has yet to show that he is ready to contribute behind Nick Perry at defensive end. Things look good for the emergence of Greg Townsend, but he will still only be a redshirt freshman next year. Drew McAllister is pretty game-tested behind T.J. McDonald at free safety, but his health is going to be an issue if he's expected to be the full-time guy.
Any way you look at it, the Trojans are either going to need to fill some big holes in a hurry or at least start to develop some eventual replacements.
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With the possibility that George Farmer could end up burning his redshirt as a tailback this weekend, we look at other freshman redshirts who have performed well lately on the USC practice field:
QB Max Wittek: USC coach Lane Kiffin named Cody Kessler the No. 2 QB on the roster this season, and many assumed that meant Kessler had beaten out Wittek for a future role. First of all, the two freshmen quarterbacks are very close in ability, so it wouldn't be fair to assume that either is drastically ahead of the other right now. It's also important to note how well Wittek has played since assuming the role of service team QB each week and the reps that come with that role. Wittek is a classic drop-back passer who has definitely impressed onlookers with his work this fall.
FB Soma Vainuku: It has been tough for Vainuku to learn a new position, but he is gradually making progress. There had been some hope that he would be able to quickly make the switch from high school tailback to college fullback, but that did not happen and the coaches were forced to move Rhett Ellison and Ross Cumming to fullback. Ellison in particular has been a real mentor for Vainuku in terms of how to prepare, while assistant coach Kennedy Polamalu has worked with him on the nuances of the position. By the time the 2012 season rolls around we should see Vainuku firmly entrenched as the starter, and he will be there for years to come.
QB Max Wittek: USC coach Lane Kiffin named Cody Kessler the No. 2 QB on the roster this season, and many assumed that meant Kessler had beaten out Wittek for a future role. First of all, the two freshmen quarterbacks are very close in ability, so it wouldn't be fair to assume that either is drastically ahead of the other right now. It's also important to note how well Wittek has played since assuming the role of service team QB each week and the reps that come with that role. Wittek is a classic drop-back passer who has definitely impressed onlookers with his work this fall.
FB Soma Vainuku: It has been tough for Vainuku to learn a new position, but he is gradually making progress. There had been some hope that he would be able to quickly make the switch from high school tailback to college fullback, but that did not happen and the coaches were forced to move Rhett Ellison and Ross Cumming to fullback. Ellison in particular has been a real mentor for Vainuku in terms of how to prepare, while assistant coach Kennedy Polamalu has worked with him on the nuances of the position. By the time the 2012 season rolls around we should see Vainuku firmly entrenched as the starter, and he will be there for years to come.
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ABOUT WE ARE SC
Garry Paskwietz
Garry Paskwietz is the publisher and founder of WeAreSC.com and has covered the Trojans since 1997. Send him an email at garry@wearesc.com.
Blair Angulo
Blair Angulo covers USC Trojans recruiting. He joined ESPNLA.com in 2010 and also interned at the Los Angeles Daily News. Email him at blair.angulo@gmail.com.