The Wildcats held USC scoreless and allowed the offense to climb back into the game after falling into a 24-0 hole early in the third quarter.
About halfway through the third quarter of last week’s game against USC, something clicked for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defense. The Wildcats suddenly went from soft to sturdy.
After taking a 24-0 lead, the Trojans didn’t score another point. They barely gained any first downs.
“Our defense in the second half, in the fourth quarter, was as good as it’s been all year,†said UA coach Kevin Sumlin, whose team hosts Cal on Saturday night.
All of which begs two questions: What changed for the defense? And can ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ replicate it for a full game seven more times?
The simplest answer to the first question is that the Wildcats were tired of getting gashed by USC’s run game. The play that made it 24-0 was a 69-yard touchdown by Aca’Cedric Ware.
“There was just a whole bunch of communication on the field that we’re not going to let it happen again,†cornerback Lorenzo Burns said Tuesday. “That we’re going to come together … and give the offense the ball back so they can score and we have a chance of coming back.â€
Tony Fields II arrives a second too late as USC quarterback JT Daniels gets rids of the ball to avoid a sack during the Trojans' win at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ actually started playing better defense the previous week against Oregon State. The Wildcats held the Beavers to 14 points and 97 net rushing yards.
Sumlin cited personnel and schematic changes. Defensive lineman PJ Johnson’s return to the lineup has made a huge difference, and his move from defensive tackle to end gave the Trojans a look they weren’t expecting. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ also has used four-man fronts much more often. The UA has seven sacks in the past three games after failing to record one in the first two.
“We went with our three biggest, best guys in this last game,†Sumlin said of Johnson, Dereck Boles and Finton Connolly, who joined Kylan Wilborn up front. “In the end, in the second half, it paid dividends.â€
Kevin Sumlin on PJ Johnson: “He’s an anchor. He’s a guy that can move and he’s a guy that is hard to move.â€
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
The 69-yard touchdown run, which came on third-and-1, upped the conversion rate for UA opponents to 44.9 percent. Afterward, USC converted only 1 of 7 third downs.
The Wildcats also forced and recovered two fumbles in the fourth quarter — as many takeaways as they had in the previous 19.
“We played a little more aggressive than usual,†said linebacker Jacob Colacion, who played most of the second half in place of the injured Tony Fields II. “We had a lot less loafs. More guys were running to the ball. More guys were getting in there, making plays.â€
Which brings us to question No. 2: Why hasn't ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ been able to play with that same energy and urgency from the outset?
The offense struggled in the first halves of the Houston and USC games, and that didn’t help; ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ trailed by a combined 48-0 at halftime in those contests.
Whether the game plan was inadequate, the execution was lacking or the adjustments were too slow to come, the defense did not aid the offense by forcing turnovers or three-and-outs. The Wildcats see no reason they can’t start doing that this week. They just proved to themselves what they’re capable of.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s scoring comparisons by half:1st- Opponents outscore UA 79-482nd- UA outscores opponents 110-63Lorenzo Burns: “You have to come in locked and loaded.â€
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
“In order to continue on for an entire game with that mindset, you have to come in locked and loaded,†Burns said. “There are going to be things that happen. We might throw an interception. We might give up a touchdown. But as long as the leaders come together, communicate and keep everybody in check … we’re going to get this right.â€
