University Southern California Trojans
2018 Game 9: USC vs. Oregon State
November 02, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans travel to Corvallis for the first time since 2013.
USC Trojans (4-4, 3-3) at Oregon State Beavers (2-6, 1-4)
Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon, at 7 p.m. on FS1
Beaver to Watch: Freshman RB Jermar Jefferson
This is an easy call. In a bleak season for the Beavers, Jefferson has been a massive bright spot. The freshman, who did not begin the season as the starter, is leading the Pac-12 in rushing at 129.3 yards per game. From local Narbonne HS in Harbor City, Jefferson was considered a three-star prospect, but he's given five-star returns to Oregon State. He opened everyone's eyes in late September by running for 254 yards at Arizona State and then followed that up with 4 touchdowns against Washington State. He is a breakaway threat with 29 runs of 10+ yards, the most in the Pac-12.
Click here for more on the Beavers.
3 Keys
Flip the Mo
USC has had a much better season than Oregon State, but the Beavers come into this game riding high after a monumental comeback in Boulder. They turned around a 31-3 deficit, ultimately winning, 41-34, in overtime. Conversely, the Trojans limp into the contest off back-to-back losses, having changed play-callers and made an assistant coaching move this week. On what could be a cold and rainy night in Corvallis, USC needs to summon the energy, spirit and fight to reverse course after a tough couple of weeks.
Signature Stamp
USC head coach Clay Helton announced this week that he will be calling the offensive plays for the rest of the season, but he did not elaborate on what he will change in the offense as he wants to keep the game plan a secret from Oregon State. But, knowing Helton, the best guess is that the Trojans will run the ball relentlessly against a Beavers defense which has not been able to stop the ground game all season long. Oregon State has allowed 300+ rushing yards in four games this season, which gives USC's runners and offensive line, both under the tutelage now of Tim Drevno, a target at which to shoot.
Veteran Presence
USC's run defense had been solid most of the season until the last two weeks when, not coincidentally, LB Cameron Smith missed out due to injury. Last week, fellow captain Marvell Tell III joined Smith on the sideline and watched as Arizona State racked up 283 rush yards. Smith and Tell are both expected to be back this week, giving the Trojans an experienced spine to their defense. Smith leads all Pac-12 linebackers with a 14.3 run stop percentage, per PFF College, and he will need to be sharp against Jermar Jefferson, the Pac-12's leading rusher.
Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon, at 7 p.m. on FS1
Beaver to Watch: Freshman RB Jermar JeffersonThis is an easy call. In a bleak season for the Beavers, Jefferson has been a massive bright spot. The freshman, who did not begin the season as the starter, is leading the Pac-12 in rushing at 129.3 yards per game. From local Narbonne HS in Harbor City, Jefferson was considered a three-star prospect, but he's given five-star returns to Oregon State. He opened everyone's eyes in late September by running for 254 yards at Arizona State and then followed that up with 4 touchdowns against Washington State. He is a breakaway threat with 29 runs of 10+ yards, the most in the Pac-12.
Click here for more on the Beavers.
3 Keys
Flip the Mo
USC has had a much better season than Oregon State, but the Beavers come into this game riding high after a monumental comeback in Boulder. They turned around a 31-3 deficit, ultimately winning, 41-34, in overtime. Conversely, the Trojans limp into the contest off back-to-back losses, having changed play-callers and made an assistant coaching move this week. On what could be a cold and rainy night in Corvallis, USC needs to summon the energy, spirit and fight to reverse course after a tough couple of weeks.
Signature Stamp
USC head coach Clay Helton announced this week that he will be calling the offensive plays for the rest of the season, but he did not elaborate on what he will change in the offense as he wants to keep the game plan a secret from Oregon State. But, knowing Helton, the best guess is that the Trojans will run the ball relentlessly against a Beavers defense which has not been able to stop the ground game all season long. Oregon State has allowed 300+ rushing yards in four games this season, which gives USC's runners and offensive line, both under the tutelage now of Tim Drevno, a target at which to shoot.
Veteran Presence
USC's run defense had been solid most of the season until the last two weeks when, not coincidentally, LB Cameron Smith missed out due to injury. Last week, fellow captain Marvell Tell III joined Smith on the sideline and watched as Arizona State racked up 283 rush yards. Smith and Tell are both expected to be back this week, giving the Trojans an experienced spine to their defense. Smith leads all Pac-12 linebackers with a 14.3 run stop percentage, per PFF College, and he will need to be sharp against Jermar Jefferson, the Pac-12's leading rusher.
Players Mentioned
ILB
/ Football
S
/ FootballTuesday, June 23
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
