Archive for Saturday, October 11, 2008
Trojans sense an opportunity with Arizona State
The Sun Devils visit the Coliseum on Saturday, and might have to play without starting quarterback Rudy Carpenter, who has an ankle injury.
It’s no secret that Arizona State has struggled to protect the quarterback.
A porous offensive line gave up 55 sacks last season, worst in the Pacific 10 Conference, and this fall has been only a little better with 12 in the first five games.
With the Sun Devils visiting the Coliseum on Saturday, the USC pass rushers sense an opportunity.
Defensive end Kyle Moore has studied videotape of last season’s matchup in Tempe, Ariz., where his predecessor, Lawrence Jackson, had four of the Trojans’ six sacks.
“Hopefully I can run some of the same moves,” Moore said. “Get a few sacks too.”
The Sun Devils rank as the worst rushing team in the Pac-10, averaging of 85.4 yards. They have lost three straight games and might have to play without starting quarterback Rudy Carpenter, hobbled by an ankle injury.
The Trojans, meanwhile, are averaging three sacks a game.
The lopsided numbers make USC defensive tackle Fili Moala wax psychological.
“It’s not like they have any slouches on their offensive line,” he said of Arizona State. “I think it’s just a matter of the morale of the team. Any team, if you continue to lose, you’re always going to be down a little bit and people might get you.”
But Clay Matthews, playing at the other end, warned that the path to the quarterback starts with hard work.
“Obviously we have to stop the run, make them throw the ball,” Matthews said. “Then we can get after it.”
- First AME pastor apologizes to congregation for alleged misspending
- Stress reduction: Why you need to get a grip and how
- Ways to relieve stress
- Schwarzenegger declares fiscal emergency
- Civic leaders press Brewer to leave L.A. Unified
- U.S. recession could last into 2010
- An ugly attack on Mormons
- Broader medical refusal rule may go far beyond abortion
- Two worlds collide as lawyer fights for inmate husband
- Nationalize GM
- Edison's rooftop solar project powers up
- An ugly attack on Mormons
- Civic leaders press Brewer to leave L.A. Unified
- Pete Carroll has NFL options, but none of them ideal
- Pirates fire on U.S. cruise ship in hijack attempt
- Pakistan, India assert right to self-defense
- GM, Ford, other automakers post steep November sales declines
- Obama seeks to assure nervous governors on economy
- JPMorgan Chase to cut 9,200 jobs at Washington Mutual Bank
- Nationalize GM
