Toe-tapping teams
The Pac-12 Conference opener against Stanford is USC’s third consecutive home game, and the sixth-ranked Trojans’ first real test. Staff writer Gary Klein examines the matchups and story lines:
Close finishes
The Trojans and the Cardinal know drama. Their last five games have been decided by eight points or fewer, including three decided by late field goals.
2010: Quarterback Andrew Luck engineered a drive that culminated with Nate Whitaker’s 30-yard, last-second field goal to give No. 16 Stanford a 37-35 victory at Stanford Stadium.
2011: Luck rallied the fourth-ranked Cardinal for a 56-48 triple-overtime victory at the Coliseum that was not ensured until USC tailback Curtis McNeal fumbled in the end zone.
2012: The No. 2-ranked Trojans led, 14-7, at halftime but the Cardinal defense was too physical in a 21-14 victory at Stanford.
2013: Andre Heidari gave the Trojans — and interim coach Ed Orgeron — a 20-17 victory with a 47-yard field goal with 19 seconds left.
2014: Heidari’s 53-yard field goal with 2 minutes 30 seconds left, and J.R. Tavai’s sack and forced fumble, gave the Trojans a 13-10 victory.
About those kickers
Heidari completed his eligibility so if it’s close at the end, USC’s Alex Wood might be called upon.
Wood attempted his first field goal last week against Idaho and converted from 24 yards.
Stanford kicker Conrad Ukropina grew up in Pasadena and starred in AYSO Region 13 soccer in front of the Rose Bowl before translating his skills to football at Loyola High. The senior has made all three of his fieldgoal attempts this season, including one from 52 yards.
Last season, Stanford’s Jordan Williamson missed two field-goal attempts against the Trojans.
Romo moment
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo earned raves for last week’s gamewinning touchdown pass against the New York Giants that was delivered after he picked up a low snap that he had dropped.
Two years ago against Stanford, USC faced fourth and two when quarterback Cody Kessler controlled an errant snap at his ankles and fired a pass to Marqise
Lee for a first down that set up Heidari’s game-winning field goal.
“That’s why you love playing sports,” Kessler said of Romo’s play. “You fumble the snap and everyone’s freaking out and then all of a sudden you turn it into a touchdown and it’s like, ‘Oh. OK.’”
Fabulous freshmen
Each team has a freshman
running back with a knack for making big plays.
USC’s Ronald Jones II leads the team with 169 yards rushing, including a 44-yard touchdown run against Arkansas State and a 44-yard run that set up a touchdown against Idaho. He is averaging 12.1 yards per carry.
Stanford’s Bryce Love scored on a 93-yard touchdown pass play from quarterback Kevin Hogan against Central Florida.
Jones and Love probably won’t be the workhorse backs for their teams.
Senior Tre Madden and junior Justin Davis have been productive for the Trojans, who average 6.8 yards per rushing play.
Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, Barry Sanders and Remound Wright are the leading rushers for a team that has averaged only 3.2 yards per rushing play.
Got it covered
Stanford ranks ninth nationally in passing-efficiency defense, but opponents Northwestern and Central Florida do not approach USC’s passing attack.
Trojans sophomore JuJu Smith-Schuster has 14 receptions, three for touchdowns on plays of 61, 50 and 41 yards. Steven Mitchell Jr., who has six catches and is capable of game-breaking plays, is among 10 USC receivers with receptions this season.
Stanford’s Devon Cajuste has six receptions, Michael Rector five.
With senior cornerback Kevon Seymour nursing a knee injury, freshman Iman Marshall or sophomore Jonathan Lockett could start opposite Adoree’ Jackson for USC.
Third-down blues
Neither USC nor Stanford has been effective on third down.
The Trojans have converted only four of 16 opportunities, tied for 117th among 128 teams nationally. The Cardinal is nine of 30, tied for 106th.