Usc Special Teams Implode

Searching for the positives from USC’s special teams on Saturday: They were consistent.

Alas, that is consistent as in dreadful.

It seemed a team-wide disease in the Trojans’ 28-16 loss to Cal at the Coliseum, but nowhere was it more obvious than in the decidedly not-so-special play of their special teams.

There was a blocked extra point. A blocked field goal. There was 150 yards in punt returns allowed, including Jemeel Powell’s 83-yard return for a final touchdown. There was an embarrassing fourth-quarter mixup when they were caught with too many men on the field on a punt return, giving the Bears a first down that all but wiped out any fleeting comeback hopes.

“It was like every aspect of special teams we struggled,” said USC kicker John Wall.

At least Wall didn’t have to try to make like a linebacker. USC’s 5-foot10 punter, Mike MacGillivray, had to make a touchdown-saving tackle on Powell in the third quarter.

“It was back to the old high school days on that one,” MacGillivray said.

Trouble was, Powell was back at it again in the fourth quarter. This time he took MaGillivray’s 43-yard punt and streaked up the middle for the game-clinching touchdown, avoiding the punter’s late dive.

“I’m not the fastest guy out there,” MacGillivray said.

But that’s the way it was going all day for USC. The Trojans’ troubles with their punting game was underscored by the outstanding punts of Cal’s Nick Harris, who put four of his six punts inside the 20. MacGillivray couldn’t land one inside the Cal 20.

“It was a tough night,” said USC special teams coach Dan Ferrigno. “We had some missed tackles and a couple protection problems.

“Today we had a few breakdowns on special teams and they cost us dearly. But I don’t think there was a snowball effect. The kids, we’re coaching them and they are trying to do what we coach them to do. Some days are better than others and today was not a good day for us.”

The Trojans were using a new holder, Matt Nickels, but fading USC coach Paul Hackett said the blocked extra point and field goal were not because of him.

“It was not the holder,” Hackett said. “It was not the snapper. And it was not the kicker. They got through on the right side twice with the same scheme.

“You cannot play raggedy special teams and expect to win in our conference. The teams are too good and too even. I’ve got to take time to focus more on special teams.”