USC
Fresno State
Players Mentioned
USC Football Kicks Off 2019 vs. Fresno State in Renovated Coliseum
August 25, 2019 | Football, Features
*This will be the first collegiate game in the historic and iconic Los Angeles stadium that just underwent a $315-million renovation (including new seats and aisles and a new south-side tower) and has been renamed United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
*It's just the fifth meeting between in-state opponents USC and Fresno State.
*USC has played less than a dozen games in August, but has won the past 7 of them (most recently in 2014 over Fresno State).
*The Trojans have captured their last 11 season openers in the Coliseum, dating to 1997, but are unranked to open a season for the first time in 18 years.
*USC historically has bounced back well after losing seasons and, in fact, has responded with a bowl trip the past 4 times it has happened.
*Several USC and Fresno State staffers have ties to the other school. Trojan head coach Clay Helton notched his first coaching victory by beating the Bulldogs in the 2013 Las Vegas Bowl. *USC has lost only once in 35 games to a Mountain West Conference foe (to Fresno State in 1992).
*USC has simplified its approach on both sides of the ball in 2019. New offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, who runs a version of the "Air Raid" attack, has an offense that returns its starting quarterback, its top 4 wideouts, a pair of runners with a combined career 1,500-plus rush yards and 13 TDs and 2 starting linemen. QB JT Daniels fended off 3 contenders to retain his starting job and he'll have one of the nation's best receiving corps at his disposal: WRs Michael Pittman Jr., Tyler Vaughns (also a dangerous punt returner), Amon-Ra St. Brown, Velus Jones Jr. (a top kick returner) and Devon Williams, who combined for 187 receptions and 17 TDs in 2018. USC's beefy ground attack features TBs Vavae Malepeai, Stephen Carr and Markese Stepp. The offensive line, behind veterans OT Austin Jackson and OG-OT Andrew Vorhees, is upgraded from a year ago. Troy's defense, which should be particularly stout among the front 7, returns such DLs as Christian Rector, Marlon Tuipulotu and Jay Tufele (a 2018 Freshman All-American), ILBs John Houston Jr. and Palaie Gaoteote and high-potential young Ss Talanoa Hufanga and Isaiah Pola-Mao.
*Fresno State, which was 12-2 in 2018 (a school record for wins) while winning the MWC title and the Las Vegas Bowl, is led by a familiar face to USC fans: third-year head coach Jeff Tedford (he beat the Trojans just once in 11 tries while at California). The Bulldogs' offense averaged 420 yards and 34 points last fall, but only 3 starters return, including RB Ronnie Rivers (743 yards, 10 TDs rushing in 2018) and TE Jared Rice (55 catches in 2018). FSU's defense, which allowed just 14.1 points last fall (third nationally) and had 27 takeaways (4 for TDs), lost 4 All-MWC players but features dynamic DE Mykal Walker, also an All-MWC performer, and DB Juju Hughes (4 interceptions in 2018).
*USC's game broadcasts will be on a new radio station--AM 790 KABC--for the first time in 13 years.
*USC's 2018-19 NCAA champion men's water polo team and women's track individuals will be honored during the game.
*Two days before the football game, the No. 5 USC women's soccer team hosts the Battle of the Banc doubleheader in adjacent Banc of California Stadium, featuring teams (UCLA, Florida State, Florida and the Women of Troy) that have won 6 NCAA titles, including 4 of the past 6 collegiate crowns.
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