Utah has one Pac-12 loss, USC and UCLA two apiece.
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While Utah has been the surprise of the season, it seems like they will have to beat USC to be taken seriously, especially since the second half of their schedule is far weaker than the first half. With the return of a healthy Vernon Adams Jr. and wide receiver Darren Carrington, Oregon looked rejuvenated last Saturday.
More important, the freshman sporting the number that past USC greats Riki Ellison, Rex Moore, Scott Ross and Jeff Kopp all wore told the Times that his team just received a much needed confidence booster.
The No. 13 Utes (6-1, 3-1) and No. 17 Florida State each fell from the ranks of the undefeated Power 5 group last week. Marks caught eight passes for 97 yards, the last one a 9-yard touchdown that put the Cougars up 45-35. Owusu’s week since his no-look, pin the ball on the defender’s back touchdown catch against UCLA has been a whirlwind. Utah, though, wasn’t able to use Booker too much, having been down by a couple scores.
For those keeping track of how many plays Jackson had on offense and defense, Helton said he took part in over 50 plays in the Utah games, with only two at cornerback.
Helton’s second win as head coach and first this season improves the record of USC interims to 8-3 since the 2013 season. The linebacker from Granite Bay, California, was named Pac-12 defensive player of the week after picking off Utah quarterback Travis Wilson three times, taking one back for a touchdown. Gionni Paul was a monster on the night, as he was in the backfield all night for the Utes.
Helton had an ulterior motive for applying the brakes to USC’s normally up-tempo offense: The Trojans were operating behind a makeshift, injury-riddled offensive line that had to change during the course of the game. He has 45 tackles, including 7.5 for loss, this season with three pass breakups.
After last week’s dismal performance from the special teams unit, it bounced back and had a good showing. Jones led the team in rushing yards with 73 on 15 carries, while Justin Davis added 66 yards on 19 carries for the Trojans. His 40-yard punt return was downed at USC’s 2-yard line, setting the Utes up for a quick touchdown by Bubba Poole. In the second quarter, however, the bad Wilson stared down receivers and threw a pair of interceptions to Smith. 3 Utah at the Coliseum this past Saturday. Whittingham spent the past week praising the caliber of athlete USC had as its disposal, but several Utah players said those warnings were not heeded. Andersen also hired defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake and linebackers coach Ilaisa Tuiaki away from the Utes. The Utes have five games left and have to finish strong, and just like USC got them, he will make sure to get his revenge against the Beavers.
The final score might be the most surprising part of the win, as USC was all over the Utes highly regarded defense in a 42-24 blowout win for the Trojans.
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The stats know better than the humans when it comes to USC.
