Now the starter at "Tailback U", Madden continues to find himself in historical company. The redshirt sophomore has topped 100 yards rushing in each of USC's three games to begin the 2013 season, which is a feat only six other Trojans have matched, and the entire list is comprised of All-Americans.Here is the company Madden now keeps of consecutive 100-yard rush games to start a USC season:
Marcus Allen (1981) - 11
Marcus Allen (1980) - 9
Ricky Bell (1976) - 5
O.J. Simpson (1968) - 5
Mike Garrett (1965) - 5
Charles White (1978) - 3
Don Williams (1928) - 3
Allen (1981), Simpson and Garrett used their fast starts to propel Heisman Trophy winning campaigns. Bell was the Heisman runner-up in 1976, while White (who won the Heisman Trophy in 1979) and Williams were All-Americans.
"It's great to be in that kind of company," said Madden, who deflected attention to his blockers. "[Allen] averaged like 200 a game his first five, so I'm nowhere close to that. But that's amazing just to be mentioned with him."
Click here for Allen and John Robinson's take on Madden's fast start from Gary Klein.
Madden is just three games into his first season as a Trojan tailback, so any comparisons to USC legends are obviously premature. On the other hand, given his inexperience, the accomplishment is all the more remarkable.
And, Madden is also fresh off major knee surgery which cost him the 2012 season. "He's done a great job of coming back from it," said Lane Kiffin. "It's hard to start much better than he has through three games outside of the one fumble."
If the streak is to continue, Madden will have to power through a Utah State run defense which ranked No. 13 in the nation last season, but the Aggies have yielded 138 rush yards per game in 2013.
