Helium Boys: Trojan defense lights out in shutout of Utah State and bye week momentum

Peristyle Podcast - USC Trojan Football Discussion

Shotgun Spratling and Chris Trevino return behind the microphones for another episode of the Helium Boys Podcast, a serious non-serious USC football prodcast. The Helium Boys are back to break down USC's 48-0 thrashing of Utah State in the Trojans' home opener and discuss how the Trojans should be evaluated entering their bye week before a huge showdown with Michigan.

The episode opens with the Helium Boys staple 'Two-Minute Drill.' Shotgun raves about how good the Trojan defense has looked under the defensive staff of D'Anton Lynn, Eric Henderson, Matt Entz and Doug Belk after USC notched its first shutout in 13 years. Chris then takes the 'Two-Minute Drill' reins to talk about how important blowout victories are for the development of a program because of the opportunities it allows young players to get on the field, get their feet wet and get adjusted to the speed and physicality of the college game..

Chris and Shotgun then dive into their stocks in Stock Up/Stock Down looking at what players or elements were elevated or took a hit based on preseason expectations and the first game of the season. Both Helium Boys gush about the play of linebacker Eric Gentry, who seems to be having more fun than anyone in the stadium on game days and who is having a huge impact on a play-in, play-out basis. Shotgun goes as far as to put Gentry on All-American watch with the way he has shined through the first two games. There is plenty of stocks on the rise after a 48-0 win with Miller Moss, the running back group, young defenders and Lake McRee's surgeon all getting some love. The Stock Down section is much shorter as is to be expected, but one element Shotgun harps on is the receivers catching.

After a break, the podcast duo answer your mailbag questions discussing among other things what it will take for the Trojans to be able to keep Lynn around for more than one season and what kind of adjustments Lynn can make against a Michigan offense that has struggled thus far. They also give their suggestions for an improved Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and talk about Lincoln Riley's red zone passing game play calling. The episode concludes with Chris quizzing Shotgun with some Take It or Leave Its around rankings and player performances.

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