University Southern California Trojans
USC Football Goes To California For Halloween Encounter
October 25, 2015 | Football
After dumping undefeated Utah last week, USC now heads to the Bay Area for its annual visit, this year to face long-time foe California. It will be Troy's 102nd meeting with the Golden Bears, the team it has played more than any opponent. The game falls on Halloween, appropriately the 13th such Trojan Oct. 31 contest (the third versus Cal), but a noon kickoff on FOX will get the Trojans back home to L.A. in time to trick-or-treat. USC has not lost to Cal since 2003, dating back to a triple overtime defeat in Berkeley (the Bears have averaged just 14 points in each of those losses). USC appears rejuvenated under interim head coach Clay Helton, although the Trojans must fight through injuries to key players. The Trojans' offense remains potent (averaging nearly 500 yards and 40 points a game), as it is in the national Top 20 in passing efficiency, completion percentage, scoring, passing yards and total yards. QB Cody Kessler, whose passing efficiency rate still is above his Trojan season record, ranks in the Top 5 in USC's career charts for TD passes, completions, passing yards and total offense (and he remains above Matt Leinart's school marks for career completion percentage and interception rate). Biletnikoff Award candidate WR JuJu Smith-Schuster remains in the national Top 10 in receiving yards and receiving TDs. Three-way star CB-WR-RET Adoree' Jackson saw extensive action last week on offense and more limited defensive reps. The USC defense, which is +1.0 in turnovers, is led by Butkus nominee OLB Su'a Cravens and ILB Cameron Smith, who had 3 interceptions against Utah and is on pace to be the first true freshman to lead Troy in season tackles. Fifteen Trojan true freshmen have played in 2015 and 3 have started this year. Head coach Sonny Dykes' California lost at UCLA last Thursday, its second consecutive defeat after starting off 5-0. Cal's pass-oriented, high-scoring offense ranks high nationally in the passing, total and scoring offense categories, thanks to talented QB Jared Goff, who owns 25 school records. He is in the national Top 25 in passing yards/TDs/efficiency and in total offense. Top Bear pass catchers include WRs Kenny Lawler (eighth nationally in receiving TDs with 9 and already fourth on Cal's career TD catch list with 23) and Bryce Treggs, whose 170 career receptions is fifth on Cal's all-time chart. Cal's running attack is shared by RBs Daniel Lasco, Khalfani Muhammad and Vic Enwere. The Bears' defense, Top 25 nationally in sacks and turnover margin (with 12 picks), is led by S Demariay Drew, LB Hardy Nickerson and DE Kyle Kragen. The USC men's water polo and women's soccer teams also will be playing at Cal this weekend.
