USC Grades: Lane Kiffin ousted

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LOS ANGELES -- The Lane Kiffin era at USC officially came to an end early Sunday morning outside a private terminal at LAX. It effectively came to an end during Arizona State's 28-0 run on USC in the third quarter of the Sun Devils' 62-41 win over USC on Saturday. The loss not only dropped USC to 0-2 in conference play for the first time since 2001 but cost Kiffin his job just five games into the season.

PASSING ATTACK

It wasn't Cody Kessler's best game but it also wasn't his worst, which might speak to the season he's had more than anything else. Kessler completed 20-of-29 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns. The problem is he also threw two interceptions, including a back-breaking pick-six to Alden Darby that helped ignite the Sun Devils' 28-0 run in the third quarter.

RUSHING ATTACK

If there was one bright spot for the Trojans in Tempe it was their running game. USC ran for 247 yards and four touchdowns and could have easily had over 300 yards if they hadn't fallen behind big in the third quarter. Tre Madden rushed for 128 yards on 20 carries and had one touchdown. It was Madden's fourth game of rushing for over 100 yards in the team's first five contests. Freshman tailback Justin Davis rushed for 122 yards on 10 carries and had 3 touchdowns.

IN THE TRENCHES

USC's offensive line created huge running lane for USC's tailbacks but they also failed to protect Kessler at times, as he was sacked four times. On the other side of the ball, USC's defensive line had its worst night of the season. Not only did they not get to the quarterback once but allowed 261 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground.

DEFENSE

The one area that USC previously had been able to count on this season was their defense. While their offense and special teams failed to do anything worthwhile and constantly put the team in a bad spot, the defense kept the Trojans in games. They finally wilted in the desert on Saturday, giving up 62 points and 612 yards of total offense. The point and yardage total were the most Arizona State has put up in a conference game in over a decade and the most USC has allowed since Oregon re-wrote the record books against them last season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

USC didn't attempt a field goal but Andre Heidari missed a PAT attempt. Marqise Lee also injured his left knee on an 18-yard punt return in the fourth quarter of the blowout. Lee returned two punts for 23 yards and two kickoffs for 31 yards. Why USC's best player, and the one they could least afford to lose, was even in the game as a kick and punt returner is a mystery.

COACHING

Well, there's really no other grade to give a coach who essentially loses his job during the game. The loss was so bad that USC athletic director Pat Haden didn't even let Kiffin sleep on it and return to campus after the game, firing him as soon as the team's charter landed in Los Angeles. Kiffin simply wasn't the right coach for USC. He was in over his head to begin with and the sanctions certainly didn't help matters. USC now moves on this season with Ed Orgeron as the interim coach as Haden begins searching for a permanent replacement.

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Arash Markazi

ESPNLosAngeles.com

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• Former columnist and writer after five years with Sports Illustrated
• Markazi has also written for Slam, King, Vibe and Playboy
• On board of directors for Jim Murray Memorial Foundation.