University Southern California Trojans
No. 18 USC Football Travels To Minnesota
September 12, 2010 | Football
Sept. 12, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format 
It's been 30 years since No. 18 USC and Minnesota, teams that share near-similar colors, have played. Troy has been ranked every time it has faced the Golden Gophers. The Trojans have won their last 10 games against Big Ten squads, as well as their past 18 non-conference games and its past 12 non-league road outings (a school record). It'll be a homecoming for USC head coach Lane Kiffin, who returns to the area where he spent his teen years (he played at Bloomington High) while his father, Monte Kiffin, was an assistant with the Minnesota Vikings. The game will be played in one of college football's newest stadiums (it'll be the third different Minneapolis stadium for a USC-UM contest) and the stands could be packed. If the past means anything, the weather could be a factor as there has been inclement weather for 2 of USC's 3 trips to Minneapolis. USC, which is prohibited from post-season play because of NCAA sanctions, is off to a 2-0 start in 2010, including a too-close-for-comfort win over Virginia at home last weekend. But the Trojans have lots of room for improvement. Against the Cavaliers, the offense wasn't as dynamic as it was in the opener, the defense was improved but still surrendered yards and, of key concern, yellow flags rained on the field (USC is averaging 12 penalties a game). The Trojan offense features efficient QB Matt Barkley, who has completed 66% of his passes with 7 TDs and has yet to be picked off, exciting WR/PR Ronald Johnson and TB Marc Tyler, who leads the Pac-10 in rushing with 110 yards per outing. USC's defense, which has been getting to opposing quarterbacks, is led by DT Jurrell Casey, LB Malcolm Smith, CB Shareece Wright and S T.J. McDonald. Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster's team figures to be a bit angry this week after falling at home last Saturday to FCS opponent South Dakota. The Golden Gophers have an experienced, run-happy offense (9 returning starters), including 4-year starting QB Adam Weber (he is the school's career leader in passing completions, yards and TDs) and RB Duane Bennett, who is nationally ranked in rushing (sixth) and all-purpose running. But UM's defense is young, with just 2 starters back from a 2009 team that went 6-7. The game will be shown live nationally on ESPN.
