Arizona Wildcats (0-7, 0-4) at USC Trojans (3-4, 2-4)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on ESPNU at 4 p.m. PT
*USC returns to Pac-12 competition when it welcomes South Division opponent Arizona to the Coliseum on Homecoming/Reunion Weekend. The game will be shown on ESPNU.
*Troy has captured more than 80% of its games against the Wildcats, with just 2 losses since 2001. The Trojans have won their past 8 meetings versus UA; another victory would equal Troy’s longest winning streak in the series. Arizona has only beaten USC 4 times in Los Angeles (and not since 2009). Nearly half of the games in the series have been decided by 8 points or less.
*USC, coming off a loss at intersectional rival Notre Dame in a contest that saw Troy pull within a touchdown in the fourth quarter, will be trying to snap a 3-game Coliseum losing skid.
*USC interim head coach Donte Williams once coached at Arizona, while several Wildcat assistants once were on Trojan staffs (including Pete Carroll’s son).
*The Trojans have one of the nation’s premier players in All-American nominee WR Drake London, the top candidate for the Biletnikoff Award (he appears on some Heisman Trophy listings, too). London’s 79 receptions and 1,002 receiving yards, both second best in the nation, are on pace to surpass Biletnikoff
winner Marqise Lee’s 2012 school records, while his catches are the most ever by an FBS player through 7 games.
*Also impressive on offense for USC has been hard-charging TB Keaontay Ingram, who ran for 138 yards at Notre Dame (his second 100-yard outing of the season). QB Kedon Slovis is a 68% career passer (above the USC record) who is in USC’s all-time Top 8 for completions and total offense. Kana’i Mauga (ILB) and Chase Williams (S) are Troy’s leading tacklers on a defense that has 8 interceptins. OLB Drake Jackson has 11.5 career sacks, including 5 this year. Aussie P Ben Griffiths is averaging 46.0-plus yards per punt for the second consecutive season.
*Arizona, under new head coach Jedd Fisch–has lost all 7 of its games this season, including a home to Washington this past week. That extended the Wildcats’ losing skid to 19 in a row (dating to mid-2019). Arizona’s offense is averaging just 2 TDs per outing. QB Will Plummer has re-assumed the starting job now that QBs Gunner Cruz and Jordan McCloud are sidelined with injuries. WR Stanley Berryhill III, who is eighth nationally in receptions, is on pace to equal UA’s season receptions record. RBs Drake Anderson, Michael Wiley and Jalen John handle the rushing attack. UA’s pass defense is ranked 13th in the nation. Top Wildcat tacklers are LBs Anthony Pandy and Treshaun Hayward along with S Jaxen Turner and LB-S Christian Young. P Kyle Ostendorp is sixth nationally in punting, while PK Lucas Havrisik has 33 career field goals.
Wildcat to Watch: RS Junior WR Stanley Berryhill III, Arizona has clearly struggled on offense this season, but Berryhill has been a legitimate bright spot. He ranks second in the Pac-12 in catches and third in yards per game. His numbers have tailed off a bit lately as the Wildcats quarterback situation devolved, but he put up big stats against BYU, San Diego State and Oregon, arguably the three best opponents Arizona has faced so far.
A Nice Glass of Keaontay: The Trojans have greatly improved on the ground this season, moving up from 3.17 yards per carry to 4.39. Keaontay Ingram has been the key difference maker, rushing for 5.68 yards per touch and picking up a first down on a third of his runs (top 10 in the country). However, the Trojans are still only 125th in the nation in rushing attempts (out of 130 teams). USC has often ditched the running game this season because they have been playing catch up, but the Trojans should remain patient on Saturday against the second worst rush defense in the Pac-12.
Rev Up the Rush: USC took a conservative approach defensively in South Bend, electing to bend without breaking, but it cost the Trojans any semblance of a pass rush. They finished with one sack on the night, giving them 11 for the season, which ranks second to last in the Pac-12. Expect USC to be much more aggressive on Saturday against an Arizona offense which is on its third quarterback. Drake Jackson and the Trojans took advantage of a similarly dysfunctional Colorado offense for 5 sacks in Boulder.
Happy Homecoming: It’s been a tough year at the Coliseum for the home fans, watching the Trojans lose three straight in blowout fashion. With a hearty group of alums expected for Homecoming, including nearly 1,000 band members, USC has a chance to put on a show against a struggling opponent. The Trojans must seize the day, get back to .500 on the season, and make a final push for bowl eligibility.
Credit: USC Athletic Department