USC
Pac-12 Football Championship Game
Players Mentioned
Game Preview: No. 4 USC Football Faces No. 11 Utah in Pac-12 Championship Game
December 01, 2022 | Football
Game Details:
Who: USC vs Utah
Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
When: Friday, Dec. 2 at 5 PT on FOX
All-time series: USC leads, 13-8
Last meeting: Utah won 43-42 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in October
Utah Player Spotlight:
Quarterback Cam Rising:
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Junior signal caller who is a threat both through the air and on the ground
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Stats from the 2022 regular season:
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219 of 330 for 2,629 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions
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60 carries for 392 yards with 6 rushing touchdowns
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Ranks third in rushing yards for Pac-12 QBs
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Currently Utah's second leading rusher
Tight end Dalton Kincaid:
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Had a career day against USC in October's matchup and arguably was the deciding factor in that game
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16 of 16 for 234 yards with 1 touchdown
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One reception shy of tying FBS single game record for catches by a tight end
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2022 regular season stats:
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66 receptions for 850 yards and 8 touchdowns
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Leads FBS tight ends in receiving yards
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Second in receptions and tied for second in receiving touchdowns
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Leads Utah in:
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Receptions
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Receiving yardsÂ
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Touchdowns
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The Utes are 6-0 when Kincaid catches a touchdown pass
Keys to the Game:
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Make Cam Rising Uncomfortable
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USC failed to get pressure against quarterback Cam Rising during its first matchup - resulting in just one of two games this season where the Trojans did not record a sack. As a result, the signal caller had ample time to make his reads and make easy connections with his receivers - like tight end Dalton Kincaid. Obviously, Kincaid is a key concern for the Trojans coming into this game, but it's possible to take care of the tight end at the source. If Rising is forced to make quicker decisions, he is much more likely to make errant throws and miss key targets. It will be key for USC to apply pressure all night and make Utah's quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket.
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Prevent "Bonus" Yards After Contact
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Head coach Lincoln Riley described October's game against Utah as one of the worst tackling performances USC had in 2022. The Trojans had 18 missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus, which resulted in many yards after contact for the Utes. It's part of the reason why Dalton Kincaid was so dangerous against the Trojans. He turned what should have been short-yardage gains into large chunk plays that helped Utah move down the field. USC's defense must be fundamentally sound on Friday and force the play to end at first contact.Â
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Trojan fans should be encouraged by USC's defensive efforts as of late, however. The team appeared to play its most complete game against Notre Dame last week and held its rushing attack to just 90 yards. In addition, the Trojans contained powerful UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet to 95 yards two weeks ago - one of his lowest gains of the season. Both defensive performances would suggest that the Trojans improved in terms of sticking to their assignments and playing fundamentally sound.
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"[Kincaid] made some big-time plays and [Rising made] big time throws to get in there," defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said earlier this week. "We didn't do a very good job of getting him on the ground. If he makes big-time throws, and big-time catches, and we don't tackle him, I know exactly what's gonna happen. It's gonna be the same damn thing."
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Continue to Have a Strong Run Game
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Something that shouldn't go unnoticed: Austin Jones has done a tremendous job as USC's newly-crowned starting running back. The Trojans needed Jones to fill a large role in light of Travis Dye's season-ending injury and the redshirt senior has answered the call. He has 460 total combined yards in the last three games, which has accounted for 57.1% of his season rushing yard total. His production has allowed the Trojans to continue to attack opponents on the ground - a key cog in Lincoln Riley's offensive machine.Â
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USC should rely on Jones once more and get its run game started early on Friday. It will allow the Trojans to open up their playbook and give quarterback Caleb Williams a security blanket when operating the team's offense. If USC finds its footing early on offense, it then creates a ripple effect. Opponents are forced to keep up with the Trojans' high-scoring offense, giving USC defenders an advantage. Lincoln Riley & Co. should look to get USC's run game active from the start and the rest can seemingly flow from there.
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