Luke Wafle came away from USC’s Week 9 win over Ohio State with the kind of defensive performance that tends to stick in a locker room. The Trojans held the Buckeyes to nine points in the first half, piled up two sacks, seven tackles for loss, a quarterback hit, and a forced fumble and recovery, and the freshman edge rusher said the key was simple: trust.
“Same every week. Just trusting each other, staying in our pass rush lanes and just letting it loose, play free,” Wafle said about the Trojans’ successful pass rush in Week 9.
That pressure showed up all over the field. Ohio State freshman quarterback Luke Fahey was repeatedly forced into hurried throws, off-balance attempts, and incompletions as USC’s front generated 20 pressures. Wafle said the group’s growth has been especially noticeable in the red zone, where the Trojans have made it a point to tighten things up.
“That's huge for us. It's been a big emphasis, keeping them out of the end zone or not letting them score rushing red zone touchdowns specifically,” Wafle said about the defense’s growth in protecting the red zone.
“Yeah, it's just huge for us. That's what we've made a huge emphasis on, and it's showing.”
Through eight games, Southern Cal's defense has allowed 13 rushing touchdowns, 114.9 rushing yards per game and 3.6 yards per rush.
The biggest moment for Wafle came late, when Ohio State mounted its final drive. Fahey connected with Jeremiah Smith for a 20-yard gain to move the Buckeyes into the red zone, but USC answered with four straight incompletions and slammed the door on a nine-play, 74-yard march that ended with no points in a 30-18 finish.
“Man, I feel like that was a statement for us as a defense. Not giving up a blade of grass, you know, just never give up.
I mean, you saw the stand - that's electric. [A] goal line stand is one of the best things you can do in football,” Wafle said about the close out.
“I feel like the goal line stand specifically was a statement and it shows our trust,” Wafle added. “You know, you're back on your heels.
How are you going to respond? How are you going to show up for your teammate?
And everybody showed up. That’s all trust, it's all about trust.”
USC also had two chances at turnovers wiped away by review. One play appeared to be a fumble recovery by safety Christian Pierce, but the officials ruled the play dead. Wafle said the defense had to reset immediately, and he answered on the next snap with a tackle for loss.
“Yeah, it's definitely [a] tough call, but you just got to play. Players play, coaches coach and officials officiate,” Wafle said about the potential turnover.
“So just having the presence of mind. Obviously, they're going to snap the ball, try and not let [the officials] review it.
So, all the guys were ready to roll.”
After practice on Nov. 4, Wafle also talked about how the Trojans are handling their second bye week. For him, the message is to keep the standard high and stay locked in.
“I'd say just keeping our focus on the task ahead. Just accelerate and reinforce the standard every time we get a chance to,” Wafle said about the Trojans’ approach to their second bye week.
He acknowledged that the break brings a different kind of challenge.
“Yeah, it's definitely a lot of mental. It's hard, I know, for a lot of the guys,” Wafle said about balancing the physical and mental aspects of the rest week.
“It's hard not playing. We just like to play, but having the discipline to be where your feet are is the most important part.”
Still, the tempo around the program hasn’t slowed.
“I'll just say everything's kind of just accelerated,” Wafle said about the bye week practices. “No one's taking a breath of relief. It's all on go and we got our goals and we're going to go hunt them.”
Wafle also said the atmosphere of being part of a win like that is something he’ll remember.
“Oh, it's awesome. You always see those moments growing up watching TV and just to be a part of it is definitely really special. It's going to be a memory for forever.”
And when it comes to his own role, he’s still hunting the same way every week, even on downs that don’t look like obvious pass-rush chances.
“I would say pass rushing on the non-typical pass rushes like a first [and] second downs. Just trying to steal a sack from there, not only third-and-longs [and] obvious passes.”
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