Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas at 12:30 p.m. PT on ABC
Bulldog to Watch: Senior QB Derek CarrFresno State is captained by the NCAA's passing, TD passes and total offense leader. He directs the nation's No. 1 passing offense which averages 409.8 yards per game through the air. Carr is a Bakersfield product, and he is very close with USC QB Cody Kessler (pictured). He is looking forward to competing against his friend and the mighty Trojans. "We are so looking forward to the challenge," said Carr. "We don't look at it as a big brother, little brother thing. We think that we are a pretty good football team in the most humble way."
Click the link for more on the Bulldogs: Game14-USC.pdf
3 Keys
Remember Corvallis
USC's late season run was spurred by a resounding win at Oregon State when the Trojans shut down the Beavers high powered passing attack. At the time, OSU had the nation's best pass offense, but Fresno State has since taken the mantle. Similarities abound between the two USC opponents. OSU QB Sean Mannion is second only to FSU QB Derek Carr atop the individual passing leaderboard, while Beavers WR Brandin Cooks and Bulldogs WR Davante Adams are 1-2 in receiving yards per game. However, neither team is particularly effective running the ball, and both defenses are suspect. If the Trojans can match the game plan and the effort from that night in Corvallis, they will win the Vegas Bowl.
Piece It Together
With devastating injuries to C Marcus Martin and OG Aundrey Walker in the regular season finale, the offensive line is frighteningly thin. As they did against UCLA, C Abe Markowitz and OG John Martinez will step in, but the unit cannot afford any in-game injuries. While Fresno State can be exposed defensively (No. 92 in total defense), the Bulldogs have a fierce pass rush. They have 39 sacks on the season, which is just one behind the national leaders.
Perfect 10
At a school with 11 national championships, the standards are impossibly high at times, but this group of resilient Trojans will take great pride in finishing a trying season with 10 wins. Special teams coach John Baxter has taken to calling this team the "Fight On 50" referring to its spirit and the diminished roster. The Trojans will actually have fewer than 50 scholarship players available for the bowl game, and the No. 16 defense rarely if ever subs. Nevertheless, the 2013 Trojans welcome one final chance to put their courage and toughness on display.
A classic shot of LenDale White from USC-Fresno State 2005 classic.
