Thirty-six hours later, after watching the game film, coach Todd Graham offered his assessment of Arizona State’s deflating home loss to USC. A Cliff Notes version:
The Trojans were outstanding, Graham said. They played their best game. ASU, obviously, did not. The Sun Devils didn’t tackle well. Didn’t run the ball. Didn’t execute.
Not having injured senior rush linebacker Alani Latu hurt. Losing junior defensive tackle Renell Wren (to injury) and junior safety Dasmond Tautalatasi (ejected for targeting) in the first half stung. As for ASU’s 10 penalties? Graham chose his words carefully. He knew of only three times in six ASU seasons in which the Sun Devils had committed nine or more.