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Many coaches would not have done what Donte Williams did on Saturday, with less than 45 seconds left in a miserable first half for USC.
When a team performs as poorly as USC in the first 29 minutes of its game against Washington State, many coaches – 4th and 9th outside the opponent’s 35-yard line – ” would take the ball to the locker room ”.
They would do a punt. They were like, “Let’s go to halftime and start over. “
They would try to fix things during the 15 minute intermission in an effort to get a mental and tactical reset with their players.
Donte Williams didn’t want to wait until half-time. He thought he could send a message to his team on the pitch, in the rhythm of the game.
More importantly, he believed USC could score and come back in a game he was trailing 14-0.
Williams allowed his backup QB, his freshman QB, a player in a rush to serve due to Kedon Slovis’ injury, to make a play.
All that aside, USC fans know anything is possible on the 4th and 9th.
Just ask Matt Leinart, Dwayne Jarrett and Pete Carroll.
Dart threw a 38-yard touchdown pass on his 4th and 9th – the first and biggest of his USC career – to cut that 14-point deficit in half with 32 seconds left before halftime.
USC didn’t need Donte Williams to give a big halftime speech to turn things around with a 28-point third quarter.
Donte Williams sent his message on the decision to allow Dart to try for seven points.
Sometimes the best coaching messages don’t contain words. They are conveyed through actions, such as allowing players to show what they can do.
Donte Williams trusted Jaxson Dart, who answered the bell. His teammates rallied around Dart and saw his fearlessness under pressure.
Everything in the game rocked because of Dart’s presence, which sparked a spark. Donte Williams allowed Dart to do his thing.
What a perfect illustration of the difference a wise coach can make.
Donte Williams will remember that day. He deserves it. His choice at the end of the first half was very consistent.
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