Cougars’ Coverage Uncovered

Key play

It might have been the only punt Larry Parker handled cleanly all day.

And, actually, he did finally fumble it.

It just took him 63 yards to do it.

Parker, a sophomore wide receiver for Southern California, inexplicably had trouble holding onto the football against Washington State Saturday, fumbling three times.

But on the third play of the second quarter, with WSU trailing just 3-0, Parker fielded a George Martin punt at the USC 37, shook off Cougar Jamel Payton with a cut to his left, backtracked to the right sideline and raced to the WSU 3, where he - perhaps predictably - fumbled.

USC freshman receiver Mike Bastianelli, though, spotted the bouncing ball and gained custody of it in the end zone.

The play triggered a spurt that took the Trojans to a 26-0 lead, and largely took the Cougars out of the game.

“We dominated the special teams area, and that was probably the key area of the game,” USC coach John Robinson said.

WSU’s Derek Henderson said that Parker’s first move, the cut to the left sideline, helped set up the play.

“I think it was planned. He was running to our sideline, but the blockers were setting up the other way,” Henderson said. “I think he was leading us there so he could cut back. That’s what gave him a clear route.”

Parker was pinned to the sideline as he neared the Cougars goal line, which gave Henderson the chance to strip it loose. “I came up behind him and punched it out, but one of their guys jumped on it. We stripped the ball a bunch this game, but it laid on the ground too long and they got it.”

He’s right about that. USC had committed only one turnover all season. The Trojans fumbled five times this game, although only one was recovered by WSU.

Bastianelli, a true freshman, showed his versatility by kicking off after his score.

The slick-fingered Parker complained of light-headedness during the game because of heat that reached into the mid 70s.

The real heat, though, will be on the WSU coverage units.

“Our special teams play was very poor,” WSU coach Mike Price said, seeing that his team gave up 164 yards in returns.

“Containment was a problem. Sometimes you contain them out too far and they duck underneath, but basically, it was just missed tackles and a good job by their return man.”

Cougars linebacker Johnny Nansen sensed that changes will be made on the coverage units. “Some of us starters are probably going to have to play on cover teams,” he said.

Price almost guaranteed it.

“We’re definitely going to make some changes on special teams,” Price said. “I’m real disappointed with that effort and we’re going to work on that full-contact this week.”

The effects of the return seemed to extend beyond that play alone.

On the next USC series, for instance, the Trojans put together a stunning 18-play, 96-yard scoring drive.

“If those two things don’t happen, I think we have a chance and we’re in the game,” WSU quarterback Chad Davis said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo