I'll say the offense's performance against USC wasn't good, but play calling didn't really contribute to it.
I felt Parker called a pretty good game overall.
The big issue against USC was Sam Hartman.
He just did not play well AT ALL. It's not like it was last week vs. Louisville, where Parker was super predictable and kept trying to do the same thing over and over again and getting the same result. Parker was aggressive and tried to attack USC's vulnerable defense. I look to a perfect instance, the opening drive of the 2nd half. I loved what Parker was trying to do. Everyone expected ND to try and run the ball, and grind the clock out to avoid Caleb Williams from trying to play hero ball.
Instead Parker gets aggressive and schemes up passes. In particular, he schemed a play where Holden Staes was WIDE OPEN. Easy 30+ yard play right there. Well done. One problem. Hartman completely misses Staes and instead tries to fit a hard pass into a tight window to Evans for a much smaller gain. Doesn't work.
That kind of thing happened way too many times last night. Hartman hasn't played well in weeks, and this may have been his worst game. At least before, I felt Hartman was struggling and Parker wasn't doing him any favors. Last night, Parker tried to get him right and called a good game to do so, but Hartman flat out couldn't get it done. It was an unacceptable performance from a 6th year QB. He should see that play better than anybody on the field.
Last night was all on execution, particularly from QB.