University Southern California Trojans
USC
Oregon
No. 16 USC Football Heads To Longtime Foe No. 6 Oregon For Marquee Matchup With Playoff Implications
November 18, 2025 | Football
DUCK HUNTING SEASON
*The conditions are perfect to head up north for a duck hunt.
*The No. 16 Trojans face an old Pac-12 foe, the No. 6 Oregon Ducks, in a marquee matchup that will be featured on College Gameday.
*USC has won 11 national championships, Oregon 0.
*Both schools have produced Heisman Trophy winners (USC has 8 [the most of any college football program], Oregon 1).
*USC has appeared in an unprecedented 33 Rose Bowls where it has a 25-8 mark (.758) (not including 1 appearance and 1 loss later vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 34 Rose Bowls, 25-9, .735). That is not only the most Rose Bowl wins of any team, but also the most wins by a school in a single bowl. Oregon has been to the Rose Bowl 9 times and is 4-5.
*USC has 56 bowl appearances with a 36-20 record and a .643 winning percentage – the nation's sixth-highest among the 105 schools that have made at least 10 bowl appearances (not including 1 win and 1 loss vacated due to NCAA penalty, original record 37-21, .638). Oregon has competed in 38 bowls with a 17-21 record (.447).
*The Trojans claim 177 All-American first teamers, while the Ducks have 45.
*USC has 890 all-time wins with a .695 winning percentage, while Oregon boasts 727 all-time wins with a .583 winning percentage. (Not including USC's 14 wins and 1 loss vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 904, .698).
*Saturday's game will most certainly have playoff implications.
*In the wise words of Vince Vaughn's character from the movie "Wedding Crashers", "Let's go kill some birds. I'm psyched!"
WEATHERPROOF WIN
*They said we weren't gritty enough. They said we weren't tough enough. They said we couldn't compete with real Big Ten football…did they see the final score?!
*In a grimy, hard-nosed game in the pouring rain, the Trojans showcased their resilience and defeated No. 21 Iowa 26-21 in front of a national audience.
*"A culture win right there, man. If there ever was one, that was a culture win. Our team's resilience, their response at halftime...we just keep coming, we have all year." – Head Coach Lincoln Riley
*This win permanently cemented USC not only belonging in the Big Ten, but now setting the standard.
*During the last 10 years, Iowa had an 83-5 record when leading by 8 points or more. The Trojans made it 83-6.
*USC is the first team since 2020 to beat Iowa when the Hawkeyes held a lead of at least 14 points.
*Heading into halftime, USC was down 21-10. Prior to Saturday, the most USC had been down by at the half this season was eight points against Nebraska (which resulted in a 21-17 win).
*In true "Fight On" spirit, the Trojans battled back scoring 19 unanswered points on five consecutive drives.
*The last time USC came back to win a game after being down by double-digit points at the half was against UCLA in 2020. The Trojans were down 21-10 against the Bruins, and eventually went on to score 33 points in the third and fourth quarters to win 43-38.
*USC is now No. 10 in ESPN's FPI.
*USC leads the Big Ten in passing offense (298.1), passing yards per completion (13.87), and total offense (488.9).
HE'S #GOODFOR6…AND THE BILETNIKOFF AWARD
*USC's Makai Lemon is the nation's best receiver. Period.
*The Biletnikoff contender continues to display how he is always #GoodFor6.
*Per PFF, Lemon holds the nation's top offensive grade among all receivers of 91.2 and the nation's top receiving grade of 92.1.
*Lemon had another All-American worthy performance as he tallied 10 receptions for 153 yards and 1 TD.
*Lemon officially hit the 1,000-yard mark and currently has 1,090 yards on the season.
*Saturday was his fifth 100-yard receiving game this season and his fourth game with at least 150 yards receiving in 2025.
*Lemon now has 8 TDs on the season.
*His acrobatic catches, fearlessness, complete body control and field awareness are some of the many attributes that make him the best receiver in the nation.
*Lemon leads the Power Four in receiving yards (1,090) and first downs by a receiver (46).
*He also leads the Big Ten in receiving yards per game (109.0), receptions per game (7.10) and yards after catch (467).
*Among all Power Four receivers, Lemon is tied for the most catches of 20+ yards or more.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT LEMON
*Kirk Ferentz, Iowa Head Coach - "No. 6 is as good as I've seen. Going back 20-plus years, I don't know if anybody's impacted the game more. I can think of one guy, maybe. But he's a really outstanding player."
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "I think Makai Lemon is the best receiver in CFB."
*Ryan Dyrud, LA Football Network - "MAKAI LEMON. Give him the Biletnikoff"
*Kendell Hollowell, USC on SI - "USC wide receiver Makai Lemon should win the Biletnikoff Award."
*Max Chadwick, PFF College Football Analyst - "He [Lemon] has been the best wide receiver in College Football this season."
*Matt Schick, ESPN - "Makai Lemon is good. 'Give him the Biletnikoff Award now!' doesn't have the same ring to it, but it's appropriate. He would be fun to watch in the College Football Playoff."
*David Eickholt, 247 Iowa Hawkeye Insider - "Makai Lemon is a freak man. Dude is a straight up stud."
*Ryan Phillips, Sports Illustrated - "Makai Lemon is unbelievable man."
*Dan Lanning, Oregon Head Coach - "Makai Lemon is as good as they come."
*Ja'Kobi Lane, USC Wide Receiver - "Makai Lemon is the best wide receiver in the country argue with your momma."
*Adrian Medina, The Sporting Tribune - "Yet another All-American performance for Lemon."
*George Wrighster III, Heisman Voter and CFB Analyst - "Makai Lemon is incredible! He catches everything clean. It doesn't matter if it's in traffic, raining, or whatever."
*Ryan Dyrud, LA Football Network - "I mean…are we even surprised by Makai Lemon at this point?? All he does is make plays."
*Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times - "Makai Lemon is a Cheat Code: Part XXIII."
*Paolo Uggetti, ESPN - "Maiava is putting the football in places that truly, only Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane could make the catches. Incredible performances from both.
*Kendell Hollowell, USC on SI - "Makai Lemon is the best wide receiver in college football this season."
*Paolo Uggetti, ESPN- "Makai Lemon is unreal."
*Connor Morrissette, USCFootball.com - "Makai Lemon is a cheat code."
*Connor Morrissette, USCFootball.com - "Lincoln Riley described Makai Lemon as fearless. Perfect descriptor."
*Stewart Mandel, The Athletic - "Do people realize how good USC's receivers are? Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane are both highlight machines."
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Makai Lemon is so good man."
*Kyle Ford, Former USC Wide Receiver - "Lem is the best receiver in the country…"
*David Cone, Host of Sports Podcast Crain & Company - "Throw the ball anywhere near Makai Lemon and he'll catch it."
*Kendell Hollowell, USC Trojans on SI - "Makai Lemon is making himself a lot of money today. There's not a WR in next year's draft I would take over Lemon."
*Kendell Hollowell, Reporter, USC Trojans on SI - "Just put the ball in Makai Lemon's hands and let him do the rest."
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Lane and Lemon remind me of some guys I used to play with."
*Brad Nessler, CBS Sports Analyst – "Makai Lemon after the catch is so dangerous!"
*Robert Griffin III, Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Makai Lemon is a game-breaker. I call him 'Quick-6' because he can score from anywhere on the field – inside or out."
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Whoever drafts Makai Lemon is going to get an absolute star!!!"
*RJ Abeytia, USCFootball.com – "Makai Lemon is just that dude."
*Jeff Dubrof, Sports Anchor KCCI-TV (Des Moines, Iowa) - "Makai Lemon is the best draft eligible receiver in the entire country. Unreal."
*Liam Blutman, Barstool Sports – "There aren't many kids in football better than Makai Lemon."
*Greg Biggins, National Recruiting Analyst for 247Sports – "Makai Lemon makes more contested catches than any other sub 6-0 WR I've seen in a long time, just incredible hand/eye coordination, body control and compete level."
*Hayden Winks, Director at Underdog – "Makai Lemon is what all the best WRs in the NFL look like."
*Ryan Roberts, NFL Draft and CFB Analyst – "Makai Lemon is inevitable. Every. Single. Week."
*Keely Eure, USC Football Team Reporter – "Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon continually make plays/catches happen that just shouldn't. Unreal talent."
*J.D. Pickell, On3 CFB Analyst – "Makai Lemon is awesome."
*Pat Forde, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated – "USC wideouts are ridiculous."
MAIAVA MAGIC
*QB Jayden Maiava, a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, went 23-of-32 (.719) for 254 yards and 1 TD against Iowa.
*Maiava leads the nation with a 90.7 QBR.
*Maiava leads the Big Ten in passing yards (2,868), passing yards per game (286.8), passing yards per completion (14.27) and yards per pass attempt (9.53).
*Great throws beat great coverages, and Maiava's precision and athleticism display just that. His accuracy is showcased through his excellent ball placement and timing in his high-value and high-difficulty passes as he is second in the nation with 23 big time throws, per PFF.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MAIAVA
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Keep an eye on Jayden Maiava and the Heisman race. It's early but bookmark this…."
*Robert Griffin III, Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "When you have a quarterback like Jayden Maiava who is a dual threat, you always have to pay attention. Don't go to sleep, otherwise his feet will eat!"
*Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Analyst - "USC QB Jayden Maiava is cooking! He just keeps getting better and better. Lincoln Riley knows how to develop QBs."
*Connor Rogers, NBC Sports - "Jayden Maiava has put so many great touch throws on tape this season."
*Jordan Mendoza, USA Today - "Jayden Maiava is cooking, really impressive when it comes during a tough stretch for USC."
*Ryan Dyrud, LA Football Network- "Jayden Maiava using his legs more has been a revelation."
*Kalshi CFB - "Jayden Maiava is a Heisman candidate."
KING MILLER - AMERICA'S BEST WALK-ON
*RB King Miller, the nation's most exciting and well-known walk-on had a new season-high in rushing attempts versus Iowa, finishing the game with 19.
*He's had 18 on three different occasions this season – versus Michigan, at Notre Dame and at Nebraska.
*Miller finished with 83 rushing yards against the Hawkeyes.
*Since Week 7, Miller has tallied 567 rushing yards – the most among Power Four freshmen in that time period.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT KING MILLER
*Gary Danielson, CBS Sports Analyst - "This guy (Miller) has made big plays. He's demanded and earned carries on this football team."
*Brad Nessler, CBS Sports Analyst - "King Miller has been sensational so far this year."
*John Fanta, NBC Sports Broadcaster - "That's Lincoln Riley football. USC controlling the trenches and King Miller is running wild."
*Su'a Cravens, Former USC & NFL Safety and current ESPNLA and Big Ten Network Analyst - "KING MILLER NEEDS TO BE ON SCHOLARSHIP!!!!!"
BULLDOZING BRYAN JACKSON
*For the first time in his Trojan career, RB Bryan Jackson scored two TDs in a single game.
*His first 1-yard rushing TD put the first points up on the board for the Trojans. His second score gave USC the 26-21 lead that would win them the game.
CAN'T GUARD JAK
*WR Ja'Kobi Lane continued to showcase his incredible talent by making unbelievable catches.
*He finished the game with 7 receptions for 65 yards.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT LANE
*Cody Kessler, former USC QB and CFB & NFL Analyst - "Ja'Kobi Lane is a walking highlight reel!! 8 does it again, there's just no way you can even guard that!!"
*Matt Zenitz, CBS National College Football Senior Reporter - "Stuff like this is why USC staffers have compared Ja'Kobi Lane to players like A.J. Green and Drake London."
*Jalen McKenzie, former USC and NFL offensive lineman - "Young bull Ja'Kobi Lane upholding USC as WRU."
*Greg McElroy, Always College Football - "Ja'Kobi Lane is NOT HUMAN"
*Former USC WR and current Atlanta Falcons star Drake London was asked if Lane reminds him of himself. He said, "No, he's much more smooth. He makes catches that I don't see in the NFL that much."
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Lane and Lemon remind me of some guys I used to play with."
*Lincoln Riley, USC Head Football Coach - "He wasn't supposed to play at all (against Illinois), but the kid's a warrior. He just went. Wasn't going to be able to play much at all, and he felt a little better than we anticipated, as he hasn't taken a rep in practice in two weeks. He's just a warrior – a guy who will lay it on the line for the whole team and the program. We appreciate guys like that."
*King Miller, USC Running Back – "He's the heart and soul of this team. He gets us going. If he's balling, he's on the sideline, no matter what he is – he's always infectious, and it carries the team."
*Jayden Maiava, USC Quarterback – "I think the biggest thing is just how much of a team player he is. He just wants to see everybody win on this team, so you have to appreciate guys like that. He's a warrior."
*Keely Eure, USC Football Team Reporter – "Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon continually make plays/catches happen that just shouldn't. Unreal talent."
*J.D. Pickell, On3 CFB Analyst – "Makai Lemon is awesome."
*Pat Forde, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated – "USC wideouts are ridiculous."
*Paolo Uggetti, ESPN - "Maiava is putting the football in places that truly, only Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane could make the catches. Incredible performances from both.
RESHUFFLED AND RELENTLESS
*The Trojan offensive line continues to display its depth and versatility.
*The offensive line, who earned Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll recognition, has now showcased eight different offensive line combinations throughout 10 games.
*Additionally, OL Tobias Raymond has now started at 3 different spots on the line for the Trojans this season (LG seven-times, LT twice and RT once).
*After Elijah Paige went down, OL Kaylon Miller stepped in at guard as the line reshuffled and Raymond moved out to left tackle.
*The USC offensive line has helped the Trojans average 298.1 passing yards per game (first in the Big Ten), while averaging 190.8 yards on the ground (fourth in the Big Ten).
*USC is ranked No. 1 in the nation and first in the Big Ten in total offense, averaging 488.9 yards per game.
*The offensive line's pass blocking has allowed USC QB Jayden Maiava to go 201-of-301 (.668) for 2,868 yards with 18 TDs.
*Maiava leads the nation with a 90.7 QBR.
*Maiava leads the Big Ten in passing yards (2,868), passing yards per game (286.8), passing yards per completion (14.27) and yards per pass attempt (9.53).
*The line has protected Maiava well considering he has only been sacked 8 times all season. He is tied for the second fewest sacks in the Big Ten and has the sixth fewest in the Power Four.
*The line's run blocking has allowed seven different Trojans to score a total of 26 rushing touchdowns so far this season.
*The Trojan offensive line's chemistry and outstanding play is a testament to the development of each player in the room by USC head coach Lincoln Riley and offensive line coach Zach Hanson.
D'ANTON'S DEFENSE
*The USC defense held Iowa scoreless in the second half.
*USC has not allowed its opponents to score more than 3 points in the second half of its last three games.
*The last time USC held opponent defenses to 3 points or less in the second half three games in a row was in 2013 (Game 7 at Notre Dame – the Fighting Irish scored 0 points in the second half [USC L, 10-14]; Game 8 versus Utah – the Utes scored 0 points in the second half [USC W, 19-3]; Game 9 at Oregon State – the Beavers scored 0 points in the second half [USC W, 31-14).
*USC's current 21.7 points per game allowed is on pace to be the best for a USC team since allowing 21.2 ppg in 2013.
*This is the first time since 2008 that USC has held four straight opponents to 150 or fewer passing yards.
*The Hawkeyes managed just 5 first downs in the second half after having 12 in the first.
*Even though USC lost its two starting safeties midgame, the next man up mentality prevailed and S Christian Pierce and S Kennedy Urlacher stepped up with strong performances.
*DT Jahkeem Stewart recorded the first INT of his Trojan career in the third quarter.
*LB Jadyn Walker recorded a single-game career high of 6 tackles
*S Kennedy Urlacher tallied a single-game career high of 5 tackles and his first PBU.
*S Christian Pierce and LB Desman Stephens II led the Trojans with 7 tackles each.
*USC also saw contributions from freshman CB Alex Graham.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE DEFENSE
*Kendell Hollowell, USC on SI - "They're playing real defense in Los Angeles."
*Dion Bailey, Former USC and NFL Safety - "Time and time again, Coach Lynn and the rest of the defensive staff have shown their value. The game adjustments have been masterful man. Love to see it!!!"
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE DEFENSIVE LINE
*Robert Griffin III, Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst – "The bodies they have up front – these are the type of players that can help them compete for national championships the next few years."
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT GENTRY
*Robert Griffin III, Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "This guy is playing linebacker better than anyone else in the country right now."
*Devin Jackson, Philadelphia Enquirer Sports Editor - "USC LB Eric Gentry is a versatile weapon on defense, can rush the passer and is physical enough to play inside the box. Has been a consistent force over the last couple of seasons but is playing on another level this season."
*Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times - "Imagine trying to throw a pass while Eric Gentry's 7-foot wingspan is bearing down on you."
KICKIN' IT WITH SAYERI
*USC K Ryon Sayeri continues to be a crucial scorer for the Trojans as he nailed two FGs (40 and 28) and 3 PATs for a total of 9 points.
*He also recorded 6 kickoffs for 388 yards (64.7 avg.) and 3 TBs.
*He has the fifth-best field goal percentage in the nation with 94.4% accuracy going 17-of-18. He's second in the Big Ten in field goal percentage.
*He is 6-of-6 in field goals versus ranked AP or CFP opponents, and he's 6-of-6 over 40+ yards.
*He's averaging 1.7 FGs per game (13th in the nation and 2nd in the Big Ten).
*For kickoffs, he's recorded 54 TBs, which is tied for 8th most in the Power Four and is first in the Big Ten.
MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICANS
*USC WR Makai Lemon, S Bishop Fitzgerald and RB Waymond Jordan have each been named 2025 Midseason All-Americans.
*Lemon earned placement on the AP Midseason All-American First Team, Sporting News Midseason All-American First Team, CBS Midseason All-American First Team, The Athletic Midseason All-American First Team and Sports Illustrated Midseason All-American First Team.
*Fitzgerald was named to the AP Midseason All-American First Team, Sports Illustrated Midseason All-American First Team and The Athletic Midseason All-American Second Team.
*Jordan was selected to the Sports Illustrated All-American Second Team.
RANKINGS
*USC is ranked No. 16 in the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches' Poll. Oregon is ranked No. 6 the AP Poll and No. 5 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll. The CFP rankings are released on Tuesdays. Last Tuesday (Nov. 11), USC was ranked No. 17 and Oregon was ranked No. 8.
IN NOVEMBER
*USC has a 276-142-20 (.653) all-time record while playing in the month of November (not including 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 279-142-20, .655).
ESPN GAMEDAY
*ESPN's popular College GameDay pre-game show has been at 14 USC road/ neutral site games (1995 Notre Dame, 2004 Rose Bowl, 2005 Orange Bowl, 2005 Arizona State and Notre Dame, 2006 Rose Bowl, 2007 Rose Bowl, 2007 Nebraska, 2008 Rose Bowl, 2009 Rose Bowl, 2009 Ohio State and Oregon, 2016 Washington and 2017 Rose Bowl). USC is 11-3 in those road/neutral site games, including 2 wins and 1 loss later vacated by NCAA penalty (the losses were to Notre Dame in 1995, Texas in 2006 Rose Bowl and Oregon in 2009). Overall, USC has won 75.0% of the time that GameDay has been on site (18-6, including 3 wins and 1 loss later vacated by NCAA penalty).
RAIN
*The forecast is showing possible rain on Saturday in Eugene. USC has a 25-25-2 record in games in which it rained during a major portion of the contest.
ARTIFICIAL TURF
*USC is 53-42-1 in its last 96 games on artificial turf (not including 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 56-42-1).
TV OUTLETS
*USC has appeared live on 35 different television broadcasting outlets. The Trojans have won on the air on all but 3 of those outlets (KTLA, Innovative and a local Memphis station). USC has appeared on live national, regional or local telecasts 602 times.
USC • OREGON CONNECTIONS
*USC has 1 player from the state of Oregon (TE Joey Olson), while Oregon has 28 players from the state of California
*Oregon DT Bear Alexander previously played for USC from 2023-24. In his two season career, he tallied 51 tackles, including 6.5 for loss of 31 yards (with 1.5 sacks for minus 19 yards) and 2 PBUs.
*Oregon WR Gary Bryant Jr. previously played for USC from 2020-22. He had 53 receptions for 645 yds and 7 TD's in his career as a Trojan.
*Oregon OL Emmanuel Pregnon previously played for USC in 2023-24. He saw action in 26 games while at Troy, starting in 25 of them.
*USC S Isaiah Rubin, USC OL Travis Leonard, USC DT Kobe Pepe, Oregon DB Daylen Austin and Oregon ILB Dylan Williams are from Long Beach, Calif.
*USC WR Josiah Zamora, USC WR Corey Nerhus, Oregon RB Jordon Davison, Oregon OLB Nasir Wyatt, Oregon DL Aydin Breland, Oregon OL Lipe Moala and Oregon WR Jack Ressler all prepped at Mater Dei HS in Santa Ana, Calif.
*USC WR Seth Zamora and Oregon WR Gary Bryant Jr. both prepped at Centennial HS in Compton, Calif.
*USC CB Prophet Brown, USC OL Alani Noa, Oregon DB Kingston Lopa and Oregon DB Cormac O'Flaherty are all from Sacramento, Calif.
*USC OL Alani Noa and Oregon DB Kingston Lopa prepped together at Grant Union HS in Sacramento, Calif.
*USC S Kennedy Urlacher, USC SNP Hank Pepper and Oregon WR Kyler Kasper are all from Chandler, Ariz.
*USC RB Eli Sanders, USC S Kennedy Urlacher, USC SNP Hank Pepper and Oregon DL A'Mauri Washington all prepped at Chandler HS.
*USC RB Waymond Jordan, USC OL J'Onre Reed and Oregon WR Malik Benson all previously played at Hutchinson CC in Hutchinson, Kan.
*USC P Sam Johnson, Oregon WR Malik Benson and Oregon DB Peyton Woodyard all previously played at Alabama.
*USC CB Alex Graham, Oregon QB Dante Moore and Oregon DL A'Mauri Washington are all from Detroit, Mich.
*USC S Kamari Ramsey and Oregon QB Dante Moore both previously played at UCLA together in 2023.
*USC WR Romero Ison and Oregon DB Ify Obidegwu are both from Baltimore, Md.
*USC DE Anthony Lucas, USC CB Kevin Longstreet and Oregon WR Evan Stewart previously played at Texas A&M.
*USC CB Kevin Longstreet and Oregon TE Jamari Johnson previously prepped together at Inglewood HS in Inglewood, Calif.
*USC OL Elijah Paige and Oregon QB Luka Moga are both from Phoenix, Ariz.
*USC CB Marcelles Williams, USC DT Kobe Pepe, Oregon OLB Matayo Uiagalalei and Oregon DB Peyton Woodyard all prepped at St. John Bosco HS in Bellflower, Calif.
*USC WR Corey Simms, Oregon WR Jeremiah McClellan, Oregon RB Jay Harris and Oregon DL Tionne Gray are all from Saint Louis, Mo.
*USC WR Corey Simms and Oregon WR Jeremiah McClellan prepped together at Christian Brothers College in Saint Louis, Mo.
*USC P Sam Johnson, Oregon DB Na'eem Offord and Oregon RB Makhi Hughes are all from Birmingham, Ala.
*USC S Christian Pierce and Oregon DB Soloman Davis are both from Fontana, Calif.
*USC LB Nick De Fina, Oregon QB Akiti Smith Jr., Oregon DB Xavier Barksdale and Oregon OL Isaiah World are all from San Diego, Calif.
*USC DE Anthony Lucas and Oregon WR Cooper Perry are both from Scottsdale, Ariz.
*USC DE Jadyn Ramos and Oregon DB Dorian Brew both prepped together at Conroe HS in Conroe, Texas.
*USC OL Elijah Vaikona and Oregon OLB Tobi Haastrup are both from London, U.K.
*USC WR Zacharyus Williams, USC WR Marcelles Williams, USC P Rey Sanchez and Oregon ILB Dylan Williams are all from Carson, Calif.
*USC QB Dylan Gebbia and Oregon DB Kilohana Haasenritter both previously played at Hawaii.
*USC WR Makai Lemon, USC S Isaiah Rubin and Oregon ILB Kamar Mothudi prepped together at Los Alamitos HS in Los Alamitos, Calif.
*USC TE Joey Olsen and Oregon LS Luke Basso are both from Lake Oswego, Ore. and prepped at Lakeridge HS together.
*USC QB Sam Huard, USC OL Willi Wascher and Oregon OL Demetri Manning are all from Bellevue, Wash.
*USC OL Willi Wascher and Oregon OL Demetri Manning prepped together at Bellevue HS in Bellevue, Wash.
*USC DE Garrett Pomerantz and Oregon OL Douglas Utu are both from Las Vegas, Nev. and prepped at Bishop Gorman HS.
*USC WR Prince Strahan and Oregon P James Ferguson-Reynolds both previously played at Boise State.
*USC TE Lake McRee and Oregon OL Alex Harkey are both from Austin, Texas.
*USC WR Jay Fair, USC QB Gage Roy and Oregon WR Nathan McCoy II are all from Dallas, Texas.
*USC LB AJ Tuitele and Oregon WR Jovon McRae II both prepped together at Mojave HS in North Las Vegas, Nev
*USC WR Zachryus Williams, USC OL Travis Leanard and Oregon WR Darrian Anderson all prepped together at Junipero Serra HS in Gardena, Calif.
*USC Defensive Analyst Skyler Jones spent the 2023 season as a defensive analyst for Oregon.
*USC Football Video and Systems Analyst Spencer Missioreck worked as a student in the Football Video Department at Arizona State in 2012, while Oregon Head Coach Dan Lanning was a Defensive Graduate Assistant (Outside Linebackers/Nickelbacks) for the Sun Devils.
*USC TE Lake McRee attended Lake Travis HS while Oregon Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks coach Will Stein coached at the high school in 2018-19.
*USC Athletic Director Jennifer Cohen was an administrator at Washington while Oregon Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi was the Defensive Line/Run Game Coordinator for the Huskies from 2012-13.
*USC Defensive Analyst Skyler Jones and USC Co-Defensive Coordinator / Run Game Coordinator / Defensive Line Coach Eric Henderson served as the assistant defensive line coach and the defensive line coach/run game coordinator, respectively, for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, while Oregon assistant head coach/running backs coach, Ra'Shaad Samples, was the running backs coach for the Rams at the same time.
*USC Associate Athletic Director (Equipment Operations) Cecilia Snipes E.M., C. served in a similar role at Arizona State while Oregon inside linebackers coach Brian Michalowski attended and worked at the school as a student assistant and then a defensive quality control analyst from 2008-12.
*USC Director of Recruiting Weston Zernechel was a team manager for Ohio State at the same time that Oregon co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Drew Mehringer was a graduate assistant for the team in 2012-13.
*Oregon Senior Athletic Trainer (Football) Brandee Barbee previously was an assistant athletic trainer at USC
OREGON TROJANS
*In USC's history, 10 football lettermen claim Iowa as their home state before coming to Troy: FB Pat Duff, 1949-51 (Portland, Ore., Grant HS); OT James Fitzpatrick, 1983-85 (Portland, Ore., Beaverton HS); C William Gray, 1943 (Portland, Ore., Benston Tech HS/Oregon State); S Talanoa Hufanga, 2018- 20 (Corvallis, Ore., Crescent Valley HS); current Trojan TE Joey Olsen, 2024-present (Lake Oswego, Ore., Lakeridge HS); S-LB Troy Polamalu, 1999-2002 (Tenmile, Ore., Douglas HS); OG Kian Ramsay, 1989 (Independence, Ore., Dallas HS); OG-OT Kyle Ramsay, 1992-95 (Salem, Ore., McKay HS); DL Marlon Tuipulotu, 2017-20 (Independence, Ore., Central HS); OLB Eli'jah Winston, 2018-19, 21 (Portland, Ore., Central Catholic HS).
OREGON SCOUTING REPORT
*The last time USC won a game in Eugene was in 2011, however just three games have been played against the Ducks in Autzen in that time span.
*Oregon is 1-1 against ranked opponents this season (defeating Penn State and losing to Indiana). USC will be its third test.
*QB Dante Moore leads the offense with 2,190 yards with 22 TDs and 5 INTs.
*RB Noah Whittington leads the Ducks with 623 rushing yards and 5 TDs, plus a receiving TD.
*RB Jordon Davison (423 yards and 12 TDs) and RB Dierre Hill (424 yards and 4 TDs) also contribute from the backfield.
*The Ducks are averaging 6.33 yards per carry, second in the nation. Hill and Whittington are first and second in the Big Ten with 8.65 and 8.20 yards per carry.
*Oregon has rushed for at least 200 yards six times this season and only Indiana has held their run game to less than 150 yards (81).
*TE Kenyon Sadiq leads the Ducks' aerial attack with 30 receptions for 407 yards and 6 TDs.
*WR Dakorien Moore and former USC WR Gary Bryant Jr., both major contributors for the Ducks, did not play against Minnesota last Friday.
*Oregon has the No. 1 pass defense (127.3), the No. 3 total defense (235.4), the No. 6 scoring defense (13.7) and the No. 21 rushing defense (108.1).
*Oregon is No. 111 in the country in team tackles for loss (4.5)
*Oregon is allowing 12.2 points per game when playing at home.
*The defense has recorded 9 INTs on the season with 3 returned for TDs.
