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USC Football, Fresh Off Bye, Hosts No. 19 Colorado To Open October Play
October 07, 2018 | Football, Features
*USC, coming off a bye following a victory at Arizona, returns to the Coliseum to begin October play when it hosts undefeated No. 19 Colorado in a key Pac-12 South contest under the lights on FS1.
*Troy has never lost to Colorado in 12 meetings. But USC has never faced an undefeated Buffalo squad, except for when the teams opened the 1963 and 1964 seasons against each other, .
*The Trojans, who are playing one of the nation's toughest schedules, have won their past 18 games in the Coliseum, including 13 straight at home against Pac-12 opponents.
*It's USC's fifth night game of 2018.
*USC seems to be revving up its play, having won its past 2 games (including its first road victory of 2018) after starting out the season 1-2. Trojan head coach Clay Helton, who has won 71% of his games, has never lost at home. True freshman QB JT Daniels has shown marked improvement each week after graduating a year early from high school. USC's ground game--featuring TBs Aca'Cedric Ware (now over 1,000 career rushing yards, including 5 100-yard outings), Vavae Malepeai (6 rushing TDs this year) and explosive Stephen Carr--has come alive. WRs Tyler Vaughns and Amon-Ra St. Brown (Daniels' prep teammate) have combined for 48 receptions in 2018. On defense, ILB Cameron Smith, USC's tackle leader the past 2 years (and again in 2018), is on pace to eclipse the school career tackle record, while OLB Porter Gustin is in the national Top 10 in sacks (he has 30.5 in his career). S Marvell Tell III snagged USC's first interception of 2018 last game and also blocked a field goal (the second straight contest that Troy has blocked one).
*USC secondary coach Ronnie Bradford will be coaching against his alma mater, where he won a national championship in 1990. And the Falo brothers (USC TE Josh and Colorado OLB Nu'umotu) could be facing off across the line.
*Head coach Mike MacIntyre's Colorado squad, the Pac-12's only undefeated team, is off to its best start since 1998 and looking for its first 6-0 mark since 1994. Efficient QB Steven Montez directs CU's powerful offense, which is in the Top 25 nationally in passing efficiency offense, total offense and passing offense. Montez has completed 75.2% of his passes (ranking second nationally) and is also 10th in passing efficiency, 14th in total offense, 15th in passing yards and 19th in completions. Most of his passes find dynamic WR Laviska Shenault (51 catches) who leads the nation in receptions and receiving yards. TB Travon McMillian, who is 20th nationally in rushing, tops the Buffs' ground attack. Colorado's key tacklers on a unit that is 21st nationally in scoring defense are ILBs Nate Landman, Rick Gamboa and Drew Lewis DE Mustafa Johnson and CB Delrick Abrams.
*It is Trojan Family Weekend, with thousands of parents and family members joining their USC students at the game.
*USC's 2018 NCAA champion women's outdoor track and field team, along with the NCAA women's and men's indoor and outdoor individual champions, will be honored during the game.
*The Pac-12 Network's "The Pregame" show will be on site for the game.
*The USC women's volleyball and women's tennis teams will be in action at home during the weekend.
