D'Anton Lynn halftime adjustments hint at how good USC defense can be

Good coaching is always evident in the player development and weekly game planning that are required to sustain successful seasons by stringing together victories. This is true at USC. It is true anywhere else. Great coaches can adapt on the fly and make the changes needed at halftime to correct issues with scheme, matchups and new wrinkles that were not seen on film in the weeks leading up to the game. Nobody at USC was better at this than Pete Carroll. If you gave him a few weeks to prepare for a team or scheme, it was almost certain that the Trojans would come away with a win. His record in big season openers and bowl games proves this. Now D’Anton Lynn is trying to create the same legacy and reality at USC.

D’Anton Lynn did a masterful job against Michigan by making the halftime adjustments which led to 25 brilliant minutes at the start of the second half. Lynn didn’t have any film on how the Wolverines were going to run the offense under first-time starting quarterback Alex Orji, and it showed in the first half with the Wolverines rushing for over 200 yards, but that changed in the second half. Lynn shut down the Michigan offense in the second half allowing the Trojans to come back and take the lead with a few minutes left. Until a few uncharacteristic missed tackles late in the game, USC’s defense had held Orji and the Wolverines to 19 total yards and zero first downs in the second half — pure domination.

In the sesason opener, Lynn’s adjustments at the half significantly crippled the LSU offense. Tiger receiver Kyren Lacy had a career day in the first half and was shut down after halftime adjustments were made.

USC outscored Wisconsin 28-0 in the second half on Saturday. The Trojans Trailed the Badgers 21-10 at halftime. Wisconsin was unable to do anything on offense after the midgame break and mustered under 100 yards of offense the rest of the way. The Badgers’ second half consisted of 3 first downs, 32 rushing yards, 14 pass attempts for 50 yards, 82 total yards and 1 of 6 3rd down conversions.

USC has outscored its opponents 87-23 in the second half this season. USC held Wisconsin to 286 total yards, the second time in four games this season of holding the opponent under 300 total yards (190 versus Utah State). USC held one opponent under 300 total yards last season. USC has held its last three opponents to an average of 266 total yards (Utah State, Michigan, Wisconsin). D’Anton Lynn is building a winning profile at USC.

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